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AVR Projects

AVR-projects

A couple of years ago I extended my electronics interests with the use of microcontrollers. After making a few projects with 8051 series microcontrollers (Elektor published a couple of 80C32 and 80C52AH boards) I started with the Atmel AVR series. Only a simple programmer cable and a small dos program were necessary to upload any assembler or even C-compiled codes. For my first projects I used the Atmel Assembler, Notepad and a programmer called SP12. Later I started using C-compilers. Most of the companies supply usable demo versions on the internet, like CodeVision. The free alternative, AVR-GCC, is getting better documented, contains a GUI, and thus better usable for the average user like me :)

(03-2003)

<user community> <Atmel corp>

AVRstamp

This is the first result in an attempt to build a 'basic stamp' with avr, using the attobasic interpreter by Dick Cappels. At first this PCB was designed for using an MEGA163 on ordinary breadboard-systems, but instead of only a simple TQFP-dil adapter I decided to place a small power circuit, EEprom socket and the oscillator circuit on board as well. The first project this controller was used in was the balancing LEGO robot.
Status: PCB design, breadboard module
Uses: ATMEGA163, 8 MHz

(08-2001)

<image[72kb]><website attobasic>

MEGA 8 servocontroller

This small microcontrollerboard contains a MEGA 8, and is capable of controlling quite a number of RC-servo's. In fact, this board is a small piece of a PCB-design for the Music Robot, but was designed modular. As can be seen on the picture at the links below, it can be connected directly to a RS232 terminal interface adapter (max232 circuit) and a power circuit.
Status: PCB design
Uses: ATMEGA8 8MHz

(08-2001)

<image[42kb]>

MIDI keyboard

This is a picture of the MIDI keyboard in case. The electronics need only two penlites to run on, and since the only load to drive is a MIDI LED (the input optocoupler of the connected device) it consumes very little power. (considerably less than the original 1,5 Amp the SIEL DK70 took)
Status: PCB design, fitted in a case, software needs an update
Uses: AT90S2313 8 MHz

(08-2001)

<image[11kb]> <schematic.gif[24kb]>

Midi Keyboard

I've used an old SIEL DK70 synth as midi-keyboard for my pc. It drew 1,5 amp at 12V, which made it less apt for portable usage. With an AVR AT90S1200 and a few extra components I've tried to build a working midi-keyboard using the keys of the DK77. The software was written in assembly and consist mainly of a 31250 Bd-software-UART.
Status: Design on PCB, software in assembler
Uses: AT90S1200, 11,592MHz

(03-2003)

<image[21kb]> <source.asm[13kb]> <pcb.pdf[25kb]>

MIDI-splitter

This device was developed for adding a channel-splitpoint to midi-keyboards. The note-on and note-off commandos that come in at channel 1 are splitted. The notes above a during startup selected key are send to channel 2. This module was first designed with a AT89S2051. Due to easyer-programming it was later replaced by an AT90S2313. The software was written by Thiemo van Engelen.
Status: PCB design, fitted in a case, software needs an update
Uses: AT89S2051, 11,592 MHz

(08-2001)

<image[11kb]><schematic[11kb]>

Programming tool

Programming of AVR microcontrollers can easily be done by using a LPT programming adapter. The Kanda systems STK boards use similar adapters as well. (In fact, I've build my programming adapter compatible with the STK-200 adapter). This PCB design of the programmer was made for the RT-AVR-board. I've build them as well on breadboard (see picture below).
Status: Design on breadboard and PCB
Uses: 74HC244 buffer

(06-2002)

<image[18kb]><schematic.pdf[18kb]>

Starlight simulator

A simple program for generating a random PWM controlled slow 'flash' at eight different rates. It was used for lighting the collar of a tuxedo worn at a dressed party.
Status: breadboard design, used one time only
Uses: AT90S2313, 4MHz

(03-2003)

<gif movie[100kb]> <movie2[120kb]> <source[10kb]>

RT-AVR-board

I've been developing this board for the Createch design com petitions at Twente University. It contains an Atmel AVR Risc Microcontroller (type AT90S8535). The design of the hardware is inspired by the MIT Handyboard . The board can control up to eight servo's, has eight analog inputs, I2C output, an alphanumeric LCD display and 2 PWM motor outputs. A standard RS232 link is available and the board can be programmed using for example the SPI programming adapter for the STK200 board by Kanda Systems.
Status: PCB-design, full working, Tested during one contest
Uses: AT90S8535, 8MHz, LCD, I2C-port, motordriver

(09-2002)

<image[86kb]> <testsource[7kb]>

Miniature Robot platform

A robot platform developed for the Control Engineering department of Twente University. The goal of this research project was to develop a new target-system for ongoing research towards communicating processes whithin hardware. Inspired by the MIT Ants it became a small and cheap robot-platform. Below the project report and two aditional images can be found of the communication module and one more of two robots.
Status: University Project, PCB Design (full SMD), 2 working robots were build
Uses: 2x AT90LS8535 (tqfp), 4MHz

(07-2002)

<report[4,5Mb]> <image[77kb]> <image[42k]>

Mini-robot

This robot was the ancestor of the Humke Robot-platform. This robot contains a 74HC244 used as H-bridge, a microcontroller and a small battery. The motors are the same as used for the Humke Platform
Status: Needs sensor-extension board
Uses: AT90S2333, 4MHz

(03-2003)

Infrared-RC5 interface

This is an Elektor-design, which hasn't much to do with me, exept that I've build it once ;) and I'm very happy with it. It is fine working design, mapping RC5-signals to PC-keyboard-codes. I recommend this design for anybody who wants to control Winamp or a Mediaplayer on a PC without the need of installing extra software.
Status: Elektor design
Uses: AT90S2313, 4MHz, RC5 to PS2

(03-2003)

<Elektor(dutch)>