4x4x4 LED Cube with Charlieplexing

 by LostRite
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I know there are tons of ibles on this now, but here is the method I used to make a few LED cubes for my brothers this last Christmas. The electronics are cheap and it doesn't take much time to quickly make one of these. I wrote some very simple code to control them as well. I made a green one and a blue one. Both run on batteries (AA or AAA). I tried using coin cells but couldn't get them to spit out enough juice. You could definitely get the LEDs brighter with a more robust power source and transistor network, but that wasn't my goal. 

// scratch that, they are plenty bright
 
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Step 1: Materials Needed

A quick list of the parts you will need for this design (or at least what I used):
  • ATMega328P-PU microcontroller
  • ribbon cable or individual wires (both work just as well) as thin as possible
  • 64 LEDs of your color choice
  • 9 resistors (100 ohm or 120 ohm or close)
  • optional] experimenters / prototype board
you will also need:
  • AVR programmer with ISP connection

I have the wrong resistors shown in the picture... It took me up until the 4th resistor while soldering to realize that I had placed a reel of resistors in the wrong place on my shelves. That's what I get for moving to a new room. I have 22kohm resistors shown instead of the 100ohm resistors that they should all be.
jasshopper says: May 11, 2013. 2:20 AM
I'm actually new to these so what is this picture supposed to mean? and how do you program it using a computer (the connection to pc).
LostRite (author) in reply to jasshopperMay 11, 2013. 9:22 AM
I think this tutorial will help a lot. You will need avrdude (software). Everything is explained here: http://www.ladyada.net/learn/avr/avrdude.html
LostRite (author) in reply to LostRiteMay 11, 2013. 9:23 AM
If this doesn't help all the way, just PM me or something and I will help you out with whatever you are having trouble with.
jasshopper says: Apr 26, 2013. 5:18 AM
anyway to make the "AVR programming with isp connection" ?
LostRite (author) in reply to jasshopperApr 27, 2013. 8:34 AM
(removed by author or community request)
LostRite (author) in reply to LostRiteApr 27, 2013. 8:36 AM
sry, picture was supposed to be this one
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dmitriyprohorovss says: Jan 30, 2013. 3:24 AM
Interesting design. Food of 5 volts?
LostRite (author) in reply to dmitriyprohorovssJan 30, 2013. 7:48 AM
Food?? 3.2V input if thats what you are asking. But the microcontroller spits out 5V on the pins.
Kiteman says: Jan 27, 2013. 1:40 AM
Yes, please make anothef to be videoed!
LostRite (author) in reply to KitemanJan 27, 2013. 11:18 PM
just for you :) It's up.
Kiteman in reply to LostRiteJan 28, 2013. 3:02 AM
Awesome!
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