Developing with ATtiny Microcontrollers Practice Exam

Developing with ATtiny Microcontrollers Practice Exam

About Developing with ATtiny Microcontrollers Exam

The Developing with ATtiny Microcontrollers exam is designed to assess the skills and knowledge required to develop embedded systems using ATtiny microcontrollers. This exam evaluates your ability to configure, program, and troubleshoot ATtiny-based projects using various development tools and techniques. It covers essential topics such as microcontroller architecture, programming languages (mainly C and assembly), interfacing with peripherals, and optimizing system performance for power efficiency. Additionally, the exam delves into debugging methods and the integration of external components with ATtiny microcontrollers.

Skills Required

• Understanding microcontroller fundamentals, memory architecture, and input/output management.
• Proficiency in C and assembly programming for microcontrollers, including the use of interrupts, timers, and hardware interfaces.
• In-depth knowledge of the ATtiny family of microcontrollers, including their limitations and unique features such as reduced pin count and memory constraints.
• Experience with interfacing ATtiny microcontrollers to external components like sensors, actuators, and communication modules (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART).
• Knowledge of power management techniques, including sleep modes and optimizing code for low power consumption.
• Familiarity with development environments like Atmel Studio, AVR-GCC, and other tools commonly used for programming and debugging ATtiny microcontrollers.
• The ability to diagnose and resolve issues related to hardware, firmware, and connectivity using debugging tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.

Who should take the Exam?

This exam is intended for embedded systems engineers, developers, and hobbyists who are keen on mastering the development of embedded systems using ATtiny microcontrollers. It is suitable for individuals with experience in basic microcontroller programming and those looking to specialize in the ATtiny family for low-power, compact embedded applications.

Professionals seeking to advance their careers in embedded systems development or those working with small-scale embedded devices, such as IoT applications, consumer electronics, or robotics, will benefit from this exam. Additionally, this exam is ideal for students or hobbyists looking to deepen their understanding of microcontroller programming and hands-on development with ATtiny microcontrollers.

Course Outline

The Developing with ATtiny Microcontrollers Exam covers the following topics - 

Domain 1 - Introduction

• Course Introduction
• About the Instructor
• Downloadable Code Snippets
• Prerequisites for the Course
• Course Structure Overview
• Alternative Approaches
• Disclaimer

Domain 2 - ATtiny Basics

• Introduction to ATtiny
• What is an ATtiny Microcontroller?
• Programming Language for ATtiny
• Flashing the ATtiny Microcontroller
• Overview of ATtiny Variants (25/45/85 and 24/44/84)
• Technical Specifications Using ATtiny 44/45 as an Example
• Introduction to Digispark ATtiny85 with USB
• Pinout Details for ATtiny 25/45/85 and 24/44/84
• Understanding CPU Clock Speed
• Power Consumption Overview in Idle Mode
• Brown-out Detection Features
• Setting Hardware Configuration

Domain 3 - IDE Setup and Device Upload

• Introduction
• Installing ATtiny Cores for Arduino IDE 1.8
• Setting up VSCode with PlatformIO for ATtiny Development
• Connecting Arduino UNO as ISP
• DIY Shield for Arduino UNO
• Using a USB ISP Programmer
• Introduction to Microchip Studio
• Opening VS Code in Arduino IDE
• Online Simulator for ATtiny Microcontrollers

Domain 4 - First Sketch with Various Upload Methods

• Introduction
• Wiring Setup
• Uploading with Arduino IDE 1.8.x and Arduino UNO
• Uploading with Arduino IDE 1.8.x and USB-ISP
• Uploading with VS Code PlatformIO and USB ISP
• Uploading with VS Code PlatformIO and Arduino UNO
• Uploading to Digispark ATtiny85 with Arduino IDE 1.8.x

Domain 5 - PWM with 3 LEDs

• Project Overview
• Wiring and PWM Implementation
• Creating the Project with analogWrite
• RGB LED Source Code
• 3D Design and Printing
• Key Learnings

Domain 6 - Digital Dice with Random Number and LEDs

• Project Overview
• Wiring Setup
• Understanding Random Number Generation
• Project Setup and Initial Testing
• Start Sequence Implementation
• Debouncing the Button
• Dice Effect Implementation
• 3D Printing the Pocket Dice
• Key Learnings

Domain 7 - Digital Dice with WS2812b and FastLED

• Project Overview: LED Dice with WS2812b
• Wiring Setup
• Start Sequence and FastLED Configuration
• Button Debouncing and Flag Management
• Controlling FastLED
• 3D Printing the Dice
• Key Learnings

Domain 8 - Binary Clock with RTC Module and Shift Register

• Project Overview: Binary Clock as a Keychain
• Wiring Setup
• Setting and Reading RTC SD1307 with Arduino Uno
• Shift Register 74HC595N Pinout and Wiring
• Configuring Project Settings and Global Variables
• Shift Register Testing and LED Control
• Converting Decimal to Binary Code
• Displaying Time with RTC and Shift Register
• Reading and Displaying Time (Hours and Minutes)
• 3D Printing the Clock
• Key Learnings: Binary Clock

Domain 9 - Plant Monitor and Deep Sleep with CR2032 Battery

• Project Overview
• Wiring Setup
• Calibrating the Moisture Sensor with Arduino Uno
• Project Setup and Activating the Buzzer
• Defining Global Variables
• Using Photoresistor and LED
• Implementing Moisture Sensor Functionality
• Implementing Deep Sleep Mode with ATtiny and Current Measurement
• 3D Design

Domain 10 - Plant Monitor with OLED Display

• Project Overview
• Wiring Setup
• Flow Chart and Project Setup
• Displaying Text on OLED
• Displaying Sensor Data on OLED
• Creating Graphics for OLED Display
• Reading and Displaying Battery Voltage
• Implementing Deep Sleep and Interrupts
• Key Learnings

Domain 11 - Tones as Circuit Board Pendant

• Project Overview
• Wiring Setup for "Happy Birthday" Melody
• Project Setup
• Creating and Playing a Melody
• Wiring the Touch Sensor
• Source Code for Touch Sensor
• Wiring RGB LEDs
• Source Code for RGB LEDs
• Key Learnings

Domain 12 - Transistor Circuit with Reed Switch and Clap Detector

• Project Overview
• Wiring Setup
• Controlling the Transistor Circuit
• Detecting Two Claps
• Implementing Reed Switch
• 3D Design

Domain 13 - Temperature Sensor with OLED 0.96" for Digispark ATtiny85

• Project Overview
• Wiring Setup
• Driver and IDE Configuration
• Creating a Mini Weather Station

Domain 14 - Rubber Ducky for Windows with Digispark ATtiny85

• Source Code for Rubber Ducky Functionality