Summary of How to Make a Cheap Attiny Arduino Board
This article explains how to create a low-cost Arduino-compatible board using the ATtiny85 microcontroller, part of the Arduino-Tiny platform. It details the advantages and limitations of the ATtiny series and provides a step-by-step guide on assembling the hardware, connecting the ATtiny85 to an Arduino as an ISP programmer, and uploading sketches. The total cost is approximately $2.17, making it an affordable option for small projects requiring fewer I/O pins.
Parts used in the Cheap Attiny Arduino Board:
- Veroboard
- 8 pin IC Socket
- Single core 22 gauge wires
- ATtiny85 microcontroller
- Male header
- Female header
- Arduino board (used as ISP programmer, not included in cost)
- 10 µF capacitor (for Arduino reset)
- Power supply (regulated 5V for standalone use)
Well most of time i get troubled when i need Arduino in some projects where i need few I/O pins
Well thanks to Arduino-Tiny platform Arduino program can be burned into the Avr-tiny Series like Attiny 85/45 Arduino-Tiny is an open source set of ATtiny “cores” for the Arduino platform.
It provides a core that enables Arduino users to work with the ATtiny84 (84/44/24), ATtiny85 (85/45/25), and ATtiny2313 (4313) processors.
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Advantages of Attiny series
Cheap cost hardly 1$
They can be used as stand alone in any circuit
Disadvantages of Attiny
Few I/O pins as compared to megaSeries
Less memory usually Attiny 25/45/85 have 2kb 4kb and 8kb respectively
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But if u ask me Attiny are really useful for small projects
Even i think it is too cheap for a dummy to experiment on it.
So i made this small project that anyone can make their cheapest tiny arduino at home
Also like my page for support
https://www.facebook.com/makewithRexAdd Tip
Step 1: Parts
Things that you will need
- Veroboard -0.3$
- 8 pin IC Socket -0.10$
- Wires single core 22 gauge- 0.10$
- Attiny 85- 1.35$
- Male header-0.16$
- Female header-0.16$
So Total cost is 2.17$
Step 2: Circuit Diagram
Almost all chips are programed By Using 6 pins
- MISO(Master In Slave Out)
- MOSI(Master OUt Slave In)
- RESET
- SCK(Slave Clock)
- Vcc
- Gnd
Connecting With Arduino
Pin13 will be connected to SCK
Pin12 will be connected to MISO
Pin11 will be connected to MOSI
Pin10 will be connected to RESET
Next part will Cover how to use the arduino as ISP to Program the attiny85
Step 3: Using Arduino As ISP
Setting Up the Firmware
You need to download this file for programing the attiny
http://code.google.com/p/arduino-tiny/
after you install it
- Open Arduino.exe
- File > Examples >ArduinoISP
- Upload Sketch to your Board
- On the Arduino Uno, you’ll need to connect a 10 uF capacitor between reset and ground (after uploading the ArduinoISP sketch)
- Connect The Arduino Pins To the Arduino Tiny Board
- Goto Tools >Boards>Attiny 85 8 MHz
- Goto Tools>Programmer>Arduino as ISP
- Burn Bootloader
CONGO attiny is Ready To be Programmed By arduino
Lets Us see a simple Program “Blink ” in action
Again going to
File > Examples >Blink
Change The pin no. from 13 to any one of the pin out of Attiny85
0,1,2,3,4
Upload it
The Blink Program In action
Enjoy Your Board
It can be Also Run on A external Power source You just need a regulated Power supply of 5
You can also Use a Serial Programmer to Burn the Bootloader and sketche
If You have any queries Feel free to ask me
https://www.facebook.com/prajjwal.nag
Source: How to Make a Cheap Attiny Arduino Board
