AVR-Chat

Hi All,

I just joined the group. 

My background is from amateur astronomy. Stuff like this:
http://www.trivalleystargazers.org/gert/mercury_transit2006/image_04.jpg

I control most of my telescope stuff and imaging equipment from the
laptop via USB & serial.

When I'm mobile I use batteries to power the equipment.

Now what has that todo with AVR? I am looking for some data gathering
via USB. I am interested in voltage measurements to monitor my
batteries and weather data. (Temperature and dewpoint would be nice)
There's a nice sensor for this:

http://www.sensirion.com/en/01_humidity_sensors/06_humidity_sensor_sht75.htm

All I need is a USB based little blob with an MCU inside to get the
data from sensor or via ADC and send it to the PC. A little program on
the PC would display the data. There are AVR devices that have pretty
good spec like built in USB and ADC. (like ATmega16U4, AT90USB162 etc)

There is this eval board:

http://www.digikey.com/scripts/us/dksus.dll?Detail?name=AT90USBKEY-ND

But I think it's too big and clumsy. With USB integrated into the mcu
the whole thing should almost fit into the USB plug. Just have the
wires to the battery sticking out. (This boad is my fallback position
however if nothing else materializes)

I am looking for something the size of a USB flash stick. Preferably
ready made as an eval system for the MCU. Attaching the sensor and
input for voltage measurements should be easy. I would not like to
make my own pcb. 

Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks,
Gert

Seams like size is your problem. You might try these.

You might in touch with Joe Pardue the owner of Smiley Micros at
http://www.smileymicros.com/
If Joe doesn't have what you want/need he may be interested in developing it
with you for his one shelf.

Another place is SparkFun Electronics at
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php

And there is AVR Freaks at
http://www.avrfreaks.net/

Good luck,
Mike Bronosky


On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 8:13 PM, drgert1 <drgert1@yahoo.com> wrote:

>   Hi All,
>
> I just joined the group.
>
> My background is from amateur astronomy. Stuff like this:
> http://www.trivalleystargazers.org/gert/mercury_transit2006/image_04.jpg
>
> I control most of my telescope stuff and imaging equipment from the
> laptop via USB & serial.
>
> When I'm mobile I use batteries to power the equipment.
>
> Now what has that todo with AVR? I am looking for some data gathering
> via USB. I am interested in voltage measurements to monitor my
> batteries and weather data. (Temperature and dewpoint would be nice)
> There's a nice sensor for this:
>
>
> http://www.sensirion.com/en/01_humidity_sensors/06_humidity_sensor_sht75.htm
>
> All I need is a USB based little blob with an MCU inside to get the
> data from sensor or via ADC and send it to the PC. A little program on
> the PC would display the data. There are AVR devices that have pretty
> good spec like built in USB and ADC. (like ATmega16U4, AT90USB162 etc)
>
> There is this eval board:
>
> http://www.digikey.com/scripts/us/dksus.dll?Detail?name=AT90USBKEY-ND
>
> But I think it's too big and clumsy. With USB integrated into the mcu
> the whole thing should almost fit into the USB plug. Just have the
> wires to the battery sticking out. (This boad is my fallback position
> however if nothing else materializes)
>
> I am looking for something the size of a USB flash stick. Preferably
> ready made as an eval system for the MCU. Attaching the sensor and
> input for voltage measurements should be easy. I would not like to
> make my own pcb.
>
> Any ideas are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Gert
>
>  
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm thinking maybe the Atmel USBKey might be a good option. Little 
bigger than that thumb drive but it's got a lot of desirable features 
built in for just a few bucks. I have one ready in the basement but 
haven't played with it yet :) I'm using a Butterfly to drive a stepper 
based focuser but might switch to that USBKey.

    Sander

Mike Bronosky wrote:

>
> Seams like size is your problem. You might try these.
>
> You might in touch with Joe Pardue the owner of Smiley Micros at
> http://www.smileymicros.com/ <http://www.smileymicros.com/>
> If Joe doesn't have what you want/need he may be interested in 
> developing it
> with you for his one shelf.
>
> Another place is SparkFun Electronics at
> http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php 
> <http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php>
>
> And there is AVR Freaks at
> http://www.avrfreaks.net/ <http://www.avrfreaks.net/>
>
> Good luck,
> Mike Bronosky
>
> On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 8:13 PM, drgert1 <drgert1@yahoo.com 
> <mailto:drgert1%40yahoo.com>> wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I just joined the group.
> >
> > My background is from amateur astronomy. Stuff like this:
> > 
> http://www.trivalleystargazers.org/gert/mercury_transit2006/image_04.jpg 
> <http://www.trivalleystargazers.org/gert/mercury_transit2006/image_04.jpg>
> >
> > I control most of my telescope stuff and imaging equipment from the
> > laptop via USB & serial.
> >
> > When I'm mobile I use batteries to power the equipment.
> >
> > Now what has that todo with AVR? I am looking for some data gathering
> > via USB. I am interested in voltage measurements to monitor my
> > batteries and weather data. (Temperature and dewpoint would be nice)
> > There's a nice sensor for this:
> >
> >
> > 
> http://www.sensirion.com/en/01_humidity_sensors/06_humidity_sensor_sht75.htm 
> <http://www.sensirion.com/en/01_humidity_sensors/06_humidity_sensor_sht75.htm>
> >
> > All I need is a USB based little blob with an MCU inside to get the
> > data from sensor or via ADC and send it to the PC. A little program on
> > the PC would display the data. There are AVR devices that have pretty
> > good spec like built in USB and ADC. (like ATmega16U4, AT90USB162 etc)
> >
> > There is this eval board:
> >
> > 
> http://www.digikey.com/scripts/us/dksus.dll?Detail?name=AT90USBKEY-ND 
> <http://www.digikey.com/scripts/us/dksus.dll?Detail?name=AT90USBKEY-ND>
> >
> > But I think it's too big and clumsy. With USB integrated into the mcu
> > the whole thing should almost fit into the USB plug. Just have the
> > wires to the battery sticking out. (This boad is my fallback position
> > however if nothing else materializes)
> >
> > I am looking for something the size of a USB flash stick. Preferably
> > ready made as an eval system for the MCU. Attaching the sensor and
> > input for voltage measurements should be easy. I would not like to
> > make my own pcb.
> >
> > Any ideas are appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Gert
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

Hi Jeff,

Thanks that's an interesting pointer. Advantage is that its ready made
and basically plug&play. Then again that's it's drawback too. It's
closed and I possibly can't reprogram it or add stuff like my temp &
humidity sensor. And it doesn't have the 'I made this' factor. ;-)

It's a good fallback position though. 

Thanks!
Gert

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, Jeffrey Engel <jengeltx@...> wrote:
>
> It's not an AVR product (that I know of), but maybe something like this:
> 
> http://www.dataq.com/products/startkit/di148.htm
> 
> Jeff
> Happiness is: positive intake manifold pressure.
> 
> --- On Thu, 9/4/08, drgert1 <drgert1@...> wrote:
> From: drgert1 <drgert1@...>
> Subject: [AVR-Chat] Getting started on AVR with USB
> To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 7:13 PM
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>     
>             Hi All,
> 
> 
> 
> I just joined the group. 
> 
> 
> 
> My background is from amateur astronomy. Stuff like this:
> 
> http://www.trivalle ystargazers. org/gert/ mercury_transit2
006/image_ 04.jpg
> 
> 
> 
> I control most of my telescope stuff and imaging equipment from the
> 
> laptop via USB & serial.
> 
> 
> 
> When I'm mobile I use batteries to power the equipment.
> 
> 
> 
> Now what has that todo with AVR? I am looking for some data gathering
> 
> via USB. I am interested in voltage measurements to monitor my
> 
> batteries and weather data. (Temperature and dewpoint would be nice)
> 
> There's a nice sensor for this:
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.sensirio n.com/en/ 01_humidity_ sensors/06_ humidity_
sensor_sht75. htm
> 
> 
> 
> All I need is a USB based little blob with an MCU inside to get the
> 
> data from sensor or via ADC and send it to the PC. A little program on
> 
> the PC would display the data. There are AVR devices that have pretty
> 
> good spec like built in USB and ADC. (like ATmega16U4, AT90USB162 etc)
> 
> 
> 
> There is this eval board:
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.digikey. com/scripts/ us/dksus. dll?Detail?
name=AT90USBKEY- ND

> 
> 
> 
> But I think it's too big and clumsy. With USB integrated into the mcu
> 
> the whole thing should almost fit into the USB plug. Just have the
> 
> wires to the battery sticking out. (This boad is my fallback position
> 
> however if nothing else materializes)
> 
> 
> 
> I am looking for something the size of a USB flash stick. Preferably
> 
> ready made as an eval system for the MCU. Attaching the sensor and
> 
> input for voltage measurements should be easy. I would not like to
> 
> make my own pcb. 
> 
> 
> 
> Any ideas are appreciated.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Gert
> 
> 
> 
> 
>       
> 
>     
>     
> 	
> 	 
> 	
> 	
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 	
> 
> 
> 	
> 	
> 
> 
>       
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi,

Yes, I saw that one, too. 
http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/ez430-f2013.html

I saw a similar one from ST
http://www.st.com/mcu/contentid-89-15-ST7FUS_PRIMER.html

However please help me understand if this part is actually helping me.
I see it such that the USB connector is 'only' the programming
interface to the actual (quite tiny) MCU board. The MCU is then
supposed to be taken stand alone and does not have USB connectivity by
itself. I don't know how difficult it would be to 'channel' my
measurements through that path:
mcu -> (probably) serial -> programmer -> USB -> PC

Something where the USB is actually part of the MCU would be much nicer.

I found this one;
http://www.olimex.com/dev/avr-usb-162.html

But it has the AT90USB162 which does not have A/D capability.

After all the Atmel board 'AT90USB1287' has the A/D feature.

Thanks,
Gert



--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Cat Hotmail" <catalin_cluj@...> wrote:

>
> While not quite AVR, you might want to look at the EZ430 from TI (just 
> google it).
> 
> Good luck.
>

It's not an AVR product (that I know of), but maybe something like this:

http://www.dataq.com/products/startkit/di148.htm

Jeff
Happiness is: positive intake manifold pressure.

--- On Thu, 9/4/08, drgert1 <drgert1@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: drgert1 <drgert1@yahoo.com>
Subject: [AVR-Chat] Getting started on AVR with USB
To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 7:13 PM










    
            Hi All,



I just joined the group. 



My background is from amateur astronomy. Stuff like this:

http://www.trivalle ystargazers. org/gert/ mercury_transit2 006/image_ 04.jpg



I control most of my telescope stuff and imaging equipment from the

laptop via USB & serial.



When I'm mobile I use batteries to power the equipment.



Now what has that todo with AVR? I am looking for some data gathering

via USB. I am interested in voltage measurements to monitor my

batteries and weather data. (Temperature and dewpoint would be nice)

There's a nice sensor for this:



http://www.sensirio n.com/en/ 01_humidity_ sensors/06_ humidity_ sensor_sht75. htm



All I need is a USB based little blob with an MCU inside to get the

data from sensor or via ADC and send it to the PC. A little program on

the PC would display the data. There are AVR devices that have pretty

good spec like built in USB and ADC. (like ATmega16U4, AT90USB162 etc)



There is this eval board:



http://www.digikey. com/scripts/ us/dksus. dll?Detail? name=AT90USBKEY- ND



But I think it's too big and clumsy. With USB integrated into the mcu

the whole thing should almost fit into the USB plug. Just have the

wires to the battery sticking out. (This boad is my fallback position

however if nothing else materializes)



I am looking for something the size of a USB flash stick. Preferably

ready made as an eval system for the MCU. Attaching the sensor and

input for voltage measurements should be easy. I would not like to

make my own pcb. 



Any ideas are appreciated.



Thanks,

Gert




      

    
    
	
	 
	
	








	


	
	


      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

While not quite AVR, you might want to look at the EZ430 from TI (just 
google it).

Good luck.

I have an at90USBkey I've been experimenting with, and it's incredibly 
flexible.
But, getting the software environment and samples working can be a 
challenge.

There are also the 1-wire / I-button solutions.

1-wire is nice if you want to design and build your own solution.
The I-buttons are pre-engineered and packaged solutions.
This Humidity/Temp data logger might be a good place to start: 
http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/4379

General pages:
http://www.maxim-ic.com/products/1-wire/

http://www.maxim-ic.com/products/ibutton/


drgert1 wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I just joined the group.
>
> My background is from amateur astronomy. Stuff like this:
> http://www.trivalleystargazers.org/gert/mercury_transit2006/image_04.jpg 
> <http://www.trivalleystargazers.org/gert/mercury_transit2006/image_04.jpg>
>
> I control most of my telescope stuff and imaging equipment from the
> laptop via USB & serial.
>
> When I'm mobile I use batteries to power the equipment.
>
> Now what has that todo with AVR? I am looking for some data gathering
> via USB. I am interested in voltage measurements to monitor my
> batteries and weather data. (Temperature and dewpoint would be nice)
> There's a nice sensor for this:
>
> http://www.sensirion.com/en/01_humidity_sensors/06_humidity_sensor_sht75.htm 
> <http://www.sensirion.com/en/01_humidity_sensors/06_humidity_sensor_sht75.htm>
>
> All I need is a USB based little blob with an MCU inside to get the
> data from sensor or via ADC and send it to the PC. A little program on
> the PC would display the data. There are AVR devices that have pretty
> good spec like built in USB and ADC. (like ATmega16U4, AT90USB162 etc)
>
> There is this eval board:
>
> http://www.digikey.com/scripts/us/dksus.dll?Detail?name=AT90USBKEY-ND 
> <http://www.digikey.com/scripts/us/dksus.dll?Detail?name=AT90USBKEY-ND>
>
> But I think it's too big and clumsy. With USB integrated into the mcu
> the whole thing should almost fit into the USB plug. Just have the
> wires to the battery sticking out. (This boad is my fallback position
> however if nothing else materializes)
>
> I am looking for something the size of a USB flash stick. Preferably
> ready made as an eval system for the MCU. Attaching the sensor and
> input for voltage measurements should be easy. I would not like to
> make my own pcb.
>
> Any ideas are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Gert
>
>  



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> All I need is a USB based little blob with an MCU inside to 
> get the data from sensor or via ADC and send it to the PC. A 
> little program on the PC would display the data. There are 
> AVR devices that have pretty good spec like built in USB and 
> ADC. (like ATmega16U4, AT90USB162 etc)

You might want to consider the Arduino platform/environment and in
particular this module 
http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardNano which has a bunch of general
purpose Digital and Analog I/O and I2C and SPI etc to interface to common
sensors. 

Also there is some firmware called Firmata:

http://www.arduino.cc/playground/ComponentLib/Firmata

which is essentially turns the Arduino hardware board into a remote
controlled I/O device that can be controlled from various high level
languages on the PC.

HTH

Alex

Hi Alex,

Thanks! I had seen the name but not this specific product. It looks
great and has a nice form factor, too.

Have folks in this group used this board?

They promote this intermediate language to control the MCU. How is
that perceived? Is it a benefit? Or does it remove the user from more
direct access to machine functionality? Is it possible to 'bypass'
this language and just use regular assembly programs on this device?
(is this documented/recommended?)

Thanks for the great pointer!

Gert

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Alex Shepherd" <lists06@...> wrote:
>
> > All I need is a USB based little blob with an MCU inside to 
> > get the data from sensor or via ADC and send it to the PC. A 
> > little program on the PC would display the data. There are 
> > AVR devices that have pretty good spec like built in USB and 
> > ADC. (like ATmega16U4, AT90USB162 etc)
> 
> You might want to consider the Arduino platform/environment and in
> particular this module 
> http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardNano which has a bunch of
general
> purpose Digital and Analog I/O and I2C and SPI etc to interface to
common

> sensors. 
> 
> Also there is some firmware called Firmata:
> 
> http://www.arduino.cc/playground/ComponentLib/Firmata
> 
> which is essentially turns the Arduino hardware board into a remote
> controlled I/O device that can be controlled from various high level
> languages on the PC.
> 
> HTH
> 
> Alex
>

Re: ez430
You keep the USB dongle connected to the MCU board and use it as one, I think there are maybe 4 I/O pins you can use on the small MCU board, you should check what kind.
Cool thing is that you get another wireless MCU board so your sensor can be wireless :-D

----------------------------------------

> To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com
> From: drgert1@yahoo.com
> Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 05:09:44 +0000
> Subject: [AVR-Chat] Re: Getting started on AVR with USB
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Yes, I saw that one, too. 
> http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/ez430-f2013.html
>

Hi Gert,

> Have folks in this group used this board?

I haven't got this Arduino board but I use the Arduino development
environment with some AVR Mega168 hardware I'm developing which is Arduino
compatible.

> They promote this intermediate language to control the MCU. 
> How is that perceived? Is it a benefit? Or does it remove the 
> user from more direct access to machine functionality?

The Arduino environment/language is just a thin layer over normal C/C++
using the AVR-GCC compiler with a special pre-processor that looks after
including header files and supplying the real:

	int main()

Function that then calls the setup() and loop() functions that are exposed
to the Arduino environment.

> Is it 
> possible to 'bypass'
> this language and just use regular assembly programs on this device?
> (is this documented/recommended?)

There is nothing special about the hardware and yes you can just use it with
AVR assembler or AVR-GCC if you want. It has the normal AVRISP header for
programming.

HTH

Alex