Do you want chips with that? Physical Computing on the cheap

What? + + =

AVR microcontrollers Embedded computer (8-bit RISC, up to 20MIPS, with ADC, PWM, timers, EEPROM...) 1k to 32Mb programme memory 80p to £4.50 each Can be programmed in-system using C Hobbyist-friendly format (DIL) Used in cars, microwaves, traffic signals... and the Arduino

Embedded computer (8-bit RISC, up to 20MIPS, with ADC, PWM, timers, EEPROM...)

1k to 32Mb programme memory

80p to £4.50 each

Can be programmed in-system using C

Hobbyist-friendly format (DIL)

Used in cars, microwaves, traffic signals... and the Arduino

Why? Physical computing Inputs (sensors) sound, light, motion (switches, dials, flex, pressure, accelerometer, IR/ultrasound ranging), serial input from computer Outputs (actuators) sound, light (LEDs – digital and 'analog'), motion (motors, servos), other devices (using relays), serial output to computer

Physical computing

Inputs (sensors) sound, light, motion (switches, dials, flex, pressure, accelerometer, IR/ultrasound ranging), serial input from computer

Outputs (actuators) sound, light (LEDs – digital and 'analog'), motion (motors, servos), other devices (using relays), serial output to computer

How? Computer (Linux, Mac, Windows) AVR-GCC compiler AVRdude programmer Cable Breadboard or socket AVR chip

Computer (Linux, Mac, Windows)

AVR-GCC compiler

AVRdude programmer

Cable

Breadboard or socket

AVR chip

How cheap? £3: DIY parallel cable (search Instructables for 'ghetto programming') £10: DIY serial cable (adafruit.com) £15: DIY USB cable (adafruit.com) £25: pre-built USB (Rapid electronics)

£3: DIY parallel cable (search Instructables for 'ghetto programming')

£10: DIY serial cable (adafruit.com)

£15: DIY USB cable (adafruit.com)

£25: pre-built USB (Rapid electronics)

Demo Switch to a laptop with a serial port...

Switch to a laptop with a serial port...

Examples

Programmable LED Invented by Alex Weber http://www.instructables.com/id/Programmable-LED/

Invented by Alex Weber

http://www.instructables.com/id/Programmable-LED/

Micro text display Invented by Windell Oskay (Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories) http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/microreader2

Invented by Windell Oskay (Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories)

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/microreader2

MiniPOV Invented by Limor Fried http://www.ladyada.net/make/minipov2/

Invented by Limor Fried

http://www.ladyada.net/make/minipov2/

Multimode mood candle Invented by yours truly http://www.instructables.com/member/tristanr/ (hassle me if it's not there soon: [email_address] )

Invented by yours truly

http://www.instructables.com/member/tristanr/ (hassle me if it's not there soon: [email_address] )

Aside: the Arduino Open source hardware in a variety of shapes and sizes Uses the ATMEGA168 chip Easier to programme (Wiring vs C) Adds: - headers for all pins - voltage regulator - status LEDs - USB-serial converter

Open source hardware in a variety of shapes and sizes

Uses the ATMEGA168 chip

Easier to programme (Wiring vs C)

Adds: - headers for all pins - voltage regulator - status LEDs - USB-serial converter

Links Instructables - http://www.instructables.com/ Make Magazine - http://www.makezine.com/ Lada Ada - http://www.ladyada.net/make/ Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories - http://www.evilmadscientist.com/ Atmel - http://www.atmel.com/products/avr/ AVR Freaks - http://www.avrfreaks.net/

Instructables - http://www.instructables.com/

Make Magazine - http://www.makezine.com/

Lada Ada - http://www.ladyada.net/make/

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories - http://www.evilmadscientist.com/

Atmel - http://www.atmel.com/products/avr/

AVR Freaks - http://www.avrfreaks.net/

P.S. If anybody would like to share postage on buying some business-card sized prototype boards, please contact me: [email_address] http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/card

If anybody would like to share postage on buying some business-card sized prototype boards, please contact me: [email_address] http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/card