Summary of Easy Data Logger with Virtual USB using ATtiny45 microcontroller
This article describes a data logger project using an ATtiny45 microcontroller with V-USB software. The device reads analog signals, converts them to digital values, and transmits the data as keystrokes to a host computer's text editor via Virtual USB. It operates without an external crystal oscillator, features a Start/Stop button, and uses an on-board LED to indicate activity with a 1-second sampling interval.
Parts used in the Data Logger with Virtual USB:
- ATtiny45 microcontroller
- V-USB software library
- Analog signal source
- Host computer
- Text editor software
- Start/Stop button
- On-board LED
“V-USB is a software-only implementation of a low-speed USB device for Atmel’s AVR® microcontrollers, making it possible to build USB hardware with almost any AVR® microcontroller, not requiring any additional chip.”
For further details on V-USB and licensing, visit http://www.obdev.at/products/vusb/index.html
This is a data logger project that reads an analog signal, converts into digital number, and sends it to a host computer using Virtual USB. This is a good example application of V-USB. An 8-pin ATtiny45 microcontroller without an external crystal oscillator is used for this demonstration. The beauty of this project is the ATtiny45 presents itself as a USB keyboard to the host computer, and sends the measurements by itself. All you need to do is to open a text editor on the host computer, and press the Start/Stop button on the data logger. The data will be typed automatically on the editor. The sampling time for data logger is set to 1 sec, and an on-board LED indicates the logger is active.
For more detail: Easy Data Logger with Virtual USB using ATtiny45 microcontroller
- What is V-USB?
V-USB is a software-only implementation of a low-speed USB device for Atmel's AVR microcontrollers that requires no additional chip. - Does this project require an external crystal oscillator?
No, the demonstration uses an 8-pin ATtiny45 microcontroller without an external crystal oscillator. - How does the microcontroller present itself to the host computer?
The ATtiny45 presents itself as a USB keyboard to the host computer. - What is required to view the data on the host computer?
You only need to open a text editor on the host computer and press the Start/Stop button. - Can the data logger send measurements automatically?
Yes, the device sends the measurements by itself once activated. - What is the sampling time set for this data logger?
The sampling time for the data logger is set to 1 second. - How can you tell if the logger is active?
An on-board LED indicates that the logger is active. - Is additional hardware needed to build USB hardware with this method?
No, it makes it possible to build USB hardware with almost any AVR microcontroller not requiring any additional chip.
