Zak Kemble writes: While working on an update for my CPU Usage LEDs project, I thought why not just make it into a universal RGB LED controller? The CPU Usage LEDs controller took a value between 0 and 255, worked out what colour it should be and then fade to that colour. This was very […]
Category Archives: AVR
Open hardware pogo-pin programmer
Ethan Zonca of Protofusion writes: The PogoProg is a small open source hardware pogo pin programming solution. The PogoProg does not need a physical connector on the board, it uses surface-mount pads for signals and thru-holes for alignment. Two standard footprints are available, the smallest of which takes up very little space–only 7.6mm x 1.2mm! […]
An AVR Atmega based PID magnetic levitator
In this video Davide Gironi demonstrates his AVR Atmega based magnetic levitator: This is a magnetic levitator implemented using Atmega8 microcontroller. Magnetic levitation is a method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic fields.
Driving a DC motor using software PWM with AVR ATmega
Davide Gironi writes: This library is an update of the software PWM driver you can find here. This update implements also progressive start / stop features. So, with this one, you can drive up to 4 motors independently controlling: speed, direction, slow start / stop
ATtiny45 project adds sound activation to PC
Here’s an interesting fun project for the ATtiny45 which lets you wake up your PC by just knocking. Joonas Pihlajamaa posted the detailed project log at CodeAndLife. He describes, “Hardware-wise it’s a simple thing – ATtiny45 emulating a PS/2 device, sending a keypress when three knocks are detected in the attached piezoelectric sensor (or piezo […]
An AVR ATmega configurable production line counter
Here’s a production line counter project build on an ATmega 8 micro by Davide Gironi: It has 4 digit seven segment display. It can count from 1 to 9999 pieces. User can program it to emit an alarm when a number of items is reached. Check out the video after the break.
HID-class USB Serial communication for AVRs using V-USB
This video by Ray Wang demonstrates HID-class USB serial communication for AVRs using the V-USB library: Serial communication is helpful for debugging and checking sensor values, and HID-class means it can work on all operating systems without driver installation. This is useful for many software-only USB projects such as based on ATmega328 or ATtiny45/85. To receive and send messages between the […]
A simple brushless sensorless motor driver for AVR Atmega
Davide Gironi posted the brushless sensorless version of his sensored motor driver for AVR Atmega we posted previously: For this project, I’ve implemented a simple brushless sensoreless motor driver for AVR Atmega. The code i propose it’s not perfect, and can be improved, but for the needs i had it works. The motor can be controlled in speed […]
DIY digital wristwatch
Zak Kemble wrote a post on his blog detailing his digital wristwatch with a 1.3″ 128×64 OLED display, AVR ATmega328P microcontroller: The main incentive behind this project was to see how much I could cram, in terms of both hardware and software, into a wristwatch-like device that is no larger than the display itself. An OLED […]
A simple brushless sensored motor driver for AVR Atmega
Davide Gironi has written an article detailing his brushless sensored motor driver for AVR Atmega: For this project, I’ve implemented a simple brushless sensored motor driver for AVR Atmega. The code i propose it’s not perfect, and can be improved, but for the needs i had it works. Using this library, the motor can be controlled in speed […]
AVR: Attiny 2313 V-USB media volume control
Rupert Hirst has written a detailed article on his AVR V-USB media volume control: My most rewarding projects are the ones which i actually use. I like my audio gear so, this was the perfect companion project! On my desk i have a headphone amplifier for my AKG K702’s headphones, below it i have my self built […]
AVR Atmega dehumidifier controller board update
Davide Gironi posted an update on his AVR Atmega dehumidifier controller board we covered previously: The main issue that i’ve fixed is the microcontroller crash, that happens sometimes. I’ve noticed that sometimes the controller stop running, crash or doesn’t works as expected. After some experimets, i’ve noticed that probem was due to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), EMI […]
FabISP – a home-built AVR in-system programmer
David designed a home-built AVR in-system programmer. It’s built on the USBtiny and V-USB firmwares and uses a ATtiny44 microcontroller to communicate with avrdude over USB and a target microcontroller over the 6pin IDC cable. The FabISP is an in-system programmer for AVR microcontrollers, designed for production within a FabLab. That is, it allows you […]
Atmel AVR Dragon hardware review
Kenneth Finnegan did a review of the Atmel AVR Dragon hardware: One of my good friends at Atmel, Paul Rako, recently sent me a sample of the AVR Dragon (Atmel store page), which is a in-circuit serial programmer (ISP) and On-Chip Debugger (OCD). The ISP functionality is familiar to most hobbyists in the AVR embedded […]
Protostack 40 pin AVR development board and ATMega32A development kit
Protostack has announced the release of their two newest products, the 40 pin AVR development board and ATMega32A development kit: The board allows you to build microcontroller circuits using the 40 pin AVR microcontrollers. It measures 127 x 93.98mm, includes a large breadboard style prototyping area and many power supply options.
Smart audio box
Dilshan Jayakody has written an article about his open hardware project known as Smart Audio Box (SAB): Smart Audio Box (SAB) is microprocessor controlled audio switch and amplifier system, which is specifically design for audio composers and for audio engineers. SAB consist of 4 high impedance stereo inputs and two output modes. One output mode […]
USBTiny-MkII SLIM programmer
Here’s a USBTiny-MkII SLIM programmer based on AT90USB162 microcontroller: USBTiny-MkII SLIM programmer (AVRISP-MKII clone) supports all Attiny, Atmega, and Xmega µcontrollers. It has three programming interfaces: ISP, PDI, and TPI. It works with AvrStudio or AvrDude. Small convenient board, contains double direction voltage translator for all interfaces and working from 1,2V, jumper for target chip […]
Minimalist AVR programmer
Philip Peter posted an article describing how he designed his Minimalist AVR programmer: I always like a challenge, so when I saw [simpleavr]s vusbtiny programmer, I started to wonder how small I could make an AVR programmer. All in all I’m pretty pleased with the result. The schematic is almost the same as the original […]
ATmega 644 based VGA adapter
Ryan Fanelli and David Hartino, students in Cornell University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering program, have written a detailed explanation of their ATmega 644 based VGA adapter. The pair developed this “homemade video card” as their final project in the program, pushing the envelope on MCU clock cycle optimization using only a handful of TTL logic […]
Building a sweep generator for BK 4011
Kerry Wong documented his sweep generator build: In this post I will show you a simple sweep generator I built. It can be used to generate both the sweep waveform and synchronization signal needed for any function generator that has a VCG/VCO input. The sweep frequency can be adjusted from under a Hertz to several […]