The Tinusaur — powered by an ATtiny85 MCU — is a simple, inexpensive and quick-start platform targeted at both Makers and developers alike.
“The Tinusaur is a minimal microcontroller hardware configuration based on Atmel’s AVR ATtiny family of products, and more specifically, those with DIP-8 case such as ATtiny25/ATtiny45/ATtiny85, ATtiny13 as well as their variations,” project creator Neven Boyanov explained in a recent Hackster.io post.
Aside from the ATtiny85, additional key platform specs include:
- DIP-8 socket
- H1 header
- H2 header
- ISP header
- Reset button
- Power header
- Battery header
- Battery jumper
- C1 capacitor
- C2 capacitor
- C2 capacitor
- R1 resistor
- Battery holder
- 3V battery
“All the components are easy to find, and of course, cheap. Only the minimum required components should be part of the circuit.”
In addition, the two-row headers H1 and H2 can be used as a breadboard, or to facilitate the placement of a shield. Tinusaur also includes an optional mount for a button cell battery on the bottom and a jumper to toggle the unit on or off.
On the software side, the board offers cross-platform support, as well as compatibility with the official Arduino IDE.
According to Boyanov, the goal of the Tinusaur project is to offer a simple, cheap and accessible quick-start platform for everyone interested in learning and making things. Sound like you? You can check out the project’s official page and its Hackster.io post here.
Atmel | Bits & Pieces 