How to Use Adafruit ATtiny8x7 Breakout with seesaw: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit ATtiny8x7 Breakout with seesaw (Part ID: 5233) is a compact and versatile microcontroller board based on the ATtiny8x7 chip. It is designed to simplify I/O operations using Adafruit's seesaw library, which abstracts complex tasks like GPIO control, ADC, PWM, and more. This breakout board is ideal for projects requiring efficient control of sensors, LEDs, buttons, or other peripherals with minimal coding effort.

• Driving LEDs and controlling brightness using PWM
• Reading analog sensors or potentiometers
• Expanding GPIO capabilities for microcontrollers like Arduino or Raspberry Pi
• Simplifying I2C-based communication for peripherals
• Compact automation and control systems

The Adafruit ATtiny8x7 Breakout with seesaw is packed with features that make it a powerful yet easy-to-use component. Below are its key technical details:

• Microcontroller: ATtiny817 (8-bit AVR microcontroller)
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V (logic level)
• Input Voltage Range: 3.3V to 5V (via onboard regulator)
• Communication Protocol: I2C (default address: 0x49, configurable)
• GPIO Pins: Up to 8 configurable pins
• PWM Channels: 4 channels
• ADC Channels: 4 channels (10-bit resolution)
• Current Drive: Up to 20mA per GPIO pin
• Dimensions: 25mm x 18mm x 2mm (excluding headers)

The breakout board features a simple pin layout for easy integration into your projects. Below is the pin configuration:

The Adafruit ATtiny8x7 Breakout with seesaw is designed for ease of use. Follow the steps below to integrate it into your project:

1. Power the Board: Connect the VIN pin to a 3.3V or 5V power source and GND to ground.
2. I2C Connection: Connect the SDA and SCL pins to the corresponding I2C pins on your microcontroller.
3. Optional Connections: Use the GPIO pins for additional functionality like reading sensors or driving LEDs.

1. Open the Arduino IDE.
2. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries.
3. Search for "Adafruit seesaw" and install the library.

Below is an example of how to use the breakout board to blink an LED connected to GPIO pin 0:

#include "Adafruit_seesaw.h"

// Create a seesaw object
Adafruit_seesaw ss;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  // Initialize the seesaw board
  if (!ss.begin(0x49)) { // Default I2C address is 0x49
    Serial.println("Seesaw not found! Check wiring.");
    while (1);
  }
  Serial.println("Seesaw initialized!");

  // Set GPIO pin 0 as an output
  ss.pinMode(0, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Turn the LED on
  ss.digitalWrite(0, HIGH);
  delay(500); // Wait for 500ms

  // Turn the LED off
  ss.digitalWrite(0, LOW);
  delay(500); // Wait for 500ms
}

• Voltage Levels: Ensure your microcontroller operates at 3.3V logic levels or use a level shifter if operating at 5V.
• I2C Address Conflicts: If multiple I2C devices are connected, ensure each has a unique address. The seesaw address can be changed in software.
• GPIO Current Limits: Do not exceed 20mA per GPIO pin to avoid damaging the board.

1. Seesaw Not Detected

   • Cause: Incorrect wiring or I2C address mismatch.
   • Solution: Verify SDA and SCL connections. Check the I2C address using an I2C scanner sketch.

2. GPIO Pin Not Responding

   • Cause: Incorrect pin configuration.
   • Solution: Ensure the pin is configured as input or output using pinMode().

3. Unstable Behavior

   • Cause: Insufficient power supply or noisy signals.
   • Solution: Use a decoupling capacitor (e.g., 0.1µF) near the VIN pin and ensure a stable power source.

Q: Can I use this breakout board with a Raspberry Pi?
A: Yes, the board is compatible with Raspberry Pi. Use the I2C pins (SDA and SCL) on the Raspberry Pi GPIO header.

Q: How do I change the I2C address?
A: The I2C address can be changed in software using the seesaw library. Refer to the library documentation for details.

Q: Can I use all GPIO pins for PWM?
A: No, only 4 GPIO pins support PWM. Refer to the seesaw library documentation for pin-specific capabilities.

This concludes the documentation for the Adafruit ATtiny8x7 Breakout with seesaw. For further assistance, refer to the Adafruit product page or community forums.