How to Use ATTiny85 Development Board: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The ATTiny85 Development Board, manufactured by ATMEL Corporation (Part ID: EGBO), is a compact microcontroller board based on the ATtiny85 chip. It is designed for easy prototyping and development of small-scale electronic projects. Despite its small size, the board offers a range of features, including digital and analog I/O pins, making it a versatile choice for low-power and space-constrained applications.

• Wearable electronics
• IoT (Internet of Things) devices
• Battery-powered projects
• LED control and lighting systems
• Sensor-based applications
• Small robotics and automation systems

The ATTiny85 Development Board is built around the ATtiny85 microcontroller, offering a balance of performance and simplicity. Below are the key technical details:

• Microcontroller: ATtiny85
• Operating Voltage: 5V (via USB) or 2.7V–5.5V (external power)
• Clock Speed: 8 MHz (default) or 16 MHz (with external clock)
• Flash Memory: 8 KB (6 KB available for user programs)
• SRAM: 512 bytes
• EEPROM: 512 bytes
• I/O Pins: 6 (configurable as digital or analog)
• PWM Channels: 2
• ADC Channels: 4 (10-bit resolution)
• USB Interface: Micro-USB for programming and power
• Power Consumption: Low-power operation supported
• Dimensions: Approximately 25mm x 25mm

The ATTiny85 Development Board has a simple pinout, as shown in the table below:

The ATTiny85 Development Board is easy to use and can be programmed via the Arduino IDE. Below are the steps to get started and important considerations for using the board effectively.

1. Powering the Board:

   • Connect the board to a computer or USB power source using a Micro-USB cable.
   • Alternatively, supply 2.7V–5.5V to the VCC and GND pins for external power.

2. Programming the Board:

   • Install the ATTiny85 board package in the Arduino IDE:
     • Open the Arduino IDE and go to File > Preferences.
     • Add the following URL to the "Additional Board Manager URLs" field:
       https://raw.githubusercontent.com/damellis/attiny/ide-1.6.x-boards-manager/package_damellis_attiny_index.json
     • Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager, search for "ATTiny85," and install the package.
   • Select the ATTiny85 board under Tools > Board.
   • Choose the appropriate clock speed (e.g., 8 MHz) under Tools > Processor.
   • Connect the board to your computer and upload your sketch.

3. Connecting Peripherals:

   • Use the I/O pins to connect sensors, LEDs, or other components.
   • Configure the pins as digital or analog inputs/outputs in your code.

• Power Supply: Ensure the input voltage does not exceed 5.5V to avoid damaging the board.
• Pin Limitations: The board has only 6 I/O pins, so plan your circuit accordingly.
• Low-Power Mode: Use the ATtiny85's sleep modes to reduce power consumption in battery-powered projects.
• External Clock: For applications requiring higher clock speeds, connect an external crystal oscillator.

Below is an example code to blink an LED connected to PB0 (Pin 5):

// Blink an LED connected to PB0 (Pin 5) on the ATTiny85 Development Board

#define LED_PIN 0  // Define PB0 as the LED pin

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);  // Set PB0 as an output pin
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);  // Turn the LED on
  delay(1000);                 // Wait for 1 second
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);   // Turn the LED off
  delay(1000);                 // Wait for 1 second
}

1. The board is not detected by the Arduino IDE:

   • Ensure the correct board and processor are selected under Tools > Board and Tools > Processor.
   • Check the USB connection and try a different cable or port.

2. Sketch upload fails:

   • Verify that the correct COM port is selected under Tools > Port.
   • Ensure the board is powered and properly connected to the computer.

3. The board does not power on:

   • Check the power supply voltage (2.7V–5.5V).
   • Inspect the USB cable and power source for faults.

4. Pins are not functioning as expected:

   • Double-check the pin configuration in your code.
   • Ensure no conflicting peripherals are connected to the same pin.

Q: Can I use the ATTiny85 Development Board with external sensors?
A: Yes, the board supports both digital and analog sensors. Use the ADC pins for analog sensors and configure the pins in your code accordingly.

Q: How do I reduce power consumption?
A: Use the ATtiny85's sleep modes and disable unused peripherals in your code to minimize power usage.

Q: Can I use the board without the Arduino IDE?
A: Yes, the board can be programmed using other tools like AVR-GCC or Atmel Studio, but additional setup may be required.

Q: What is the maximum current the I/O pins can handle?
A: Each I/O pin can source or sink up to 40mA, but it is recommended to limit the current to 20mA for safe operation.

This concludes the documentation for the ATTiny85 Development Board. For further assistance, refer to the ATMEL Corporation datasheet or community forums.