Self-contained 16-Digit display - Arduino & Attiny85

Ever wanted a 7-segment display for around the house? Here's your chance to make one!
It can even be interactive based on the programming.

Parts:
($7.60) 16 Digit TM1640 based display
Dealextreme.com SKU: 104311
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/jy-mcu-16x-digital-tube-yellow-led-module-104311

($2.50) Atmel ATtiny85
Digikey PN: ATTINY85-20PU-ND

($1.73) Extra long female header pins
Digikey PN: SAM1209-12-ND
  -  I got longer sections, as I plan to use these for other projects. ($8.75) Digikey PN: SAM1198-50-ND for 40-Pin headers.

($0.13) 8-pin IC socket
Digikey PN: A100204-ND
NOTE: I suggest you experiment with a different 8-pin socket. This one requires quite a bit of force to insert and remove your chip. It's easy to bend the ATtiny's pins when doing this.
Although you should have no reason to remove the ATtiny85 after you've got the final breadboard. The chip can be used and programmed in-circuit.

($1.50) Perfboard / Veroboard / valley of holes. Individual solder pads.
Sparkfun PN: PRT-08808
  -  I opted for a bigger ($12) piece from Digikey, as I wanted it for other projects. (Digikey PN: V2012-ND)

Total: $13.46 - You'll have some extra long header pins for use with other projects. These header pins are perfect for Arduino shields.

You will also need:
-Soldering iron
-Solder
-ATmega328 based Arduino. I used an Official Arduino UNO R3.
(You can alternatively use another ISP for the ATtiny85)
-5v Switching power supply if you want to use the display as a standalone device.
-Breadboard (optional) - You can program the ATtiny in the completed circuit/holder with wires directly to the arduino.

Step 1 A note on soldering.

Before we start, I want to say that this is my first EVER attempt to solder on a piece of perfboard/veroboard.
I've soldered wires together a handful of times before though.

Although the connections seem small, just take your time and try to steady your hand! You'll be fine.
If I can do it, so can you!

Comments

[Foxtrot70]

I do not have an Arduino board but I have breadboarded an Atmel328 chip and use a USBtinyISP. I am using Arduino-1.0 I can download bootloader to the chip but, can not download ArduinoISP. Any ideas?

[Panici]

Try using Arduino v0023 to download ArduinoISP onto your chip.
See step 3 for more detail.

Good luck!

[Foxtrot70]

I went to Arduino 22 and was able to upload ArduinoISP to the Atmel328 chip. When I try to upload my program to ATTiny85 chip I get the following error: "Serial: was not declared in this scope. Any ideas?

[Panici]

After you've got ArduinoISP on your chip, load your program using the newest version. I believe it's v1.0

[Foxtrot70]

I went thru the steps to DL Arduino v1.0 and added the Tiny.zip file from github, I then selected File>Sketchbook>My Program; Tools>Board >ATtiny85 ( with internal 8 MHz clock), then Programmer>Arduino as ISP, then selected verify and then the following error msg appeared see Attachment. If iot doesn't appear basically it says :

Create process=3. The system can not find path.

What do I need to do from here?

[Panici]

You missed this part I think.

3b.
Configure your ATtiny85 to run at 8Mhz!
-Change the board to "ATtiny85 (8Mhz)"
-Change the Programmer to "Arduino As ISP"
-Click "Burn Bootloader"

[Foxtrot70]

I went back thru and re-installed Arduino-22 and followed your steps in 3b and got the following,

avrdude: stk500_getsync ( ) : not in sync: resp=0x00

avrdude: stk500_disable ( ) : protocol error, expect=0x14, resp=0x51

Any suggestions?

[Panici]

Were you able to find a solution?

[Foxtrot70]

Yes I did. In this case all I needed to do was select ATtiny85w/USBtinyISP and the directly upload the program. There appears to be not enough room for "Bootloader" on the ATtiny85. Program runs well however, I have noticed an additional thing I would like to do. My program it is basically 2 LEDs that flash in different modes with a mode select pushbutton. When I power off/on the circuit I must re-select the mode I had previously running. I can think of possible two methods to correct this: First Method - Add information in program I think in the non-volital area, Second Method - Add a memory super capacitor with a blocking diode to the circuit for the ATtiny85. In regard to the first method do you know of any examples I can view? I have no training in programming so this is a very intense activity for me. The second method is very doable for me as I have the physical room on the circuit board is to add the components.

Regards
Mike

[Panici]

It's got to be something with that USBtinyISP.

I have no experience with that so I can't really help. Post on Arduino.cc forums and they may be able to assist.

[CrashingDutchman]

I designed a shield to program AtTiny processors with Arduino´s. It´s available here: http://flytron.com/open-source-hardwares/162-tinyshield-all-in-one-avr-programmer-shield-for-arduino.html

Step 4 will be much easier with it.

It also emulates an STK-500 and can burn bootloaders on ATmega168/328 processors.

[Panici]

Good stuff. I've built an 8-Pin attiny programming shield myself.

If I need to program the larger chips, it's just a few wires.

[mrigsby]

Great job! I've been stuck trying to program an ATTiny for several days with no luck. I have a shield from Randofo, I tried a perf board, I used a 10uF cap, a 120 ohm resistor--no luck. I reloaded the software on a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro--no luck. Was getting ready to try a PC when I saw your instructable. The combination of v0023 and attiny45_85.zip works!

[Panici]

Glad you got it working!

It took me a bit of trial and error to figure it out.

I've actually just make a shield today that lets me program any 8-Pin ATtiny.
It's got jumpers for the 120ohm resistor or 10uF cap, or no RESET modification at all.

Also, dip switches to disconnect the data lines from the arduino. That way they can run seperate code, the arduino can be reprogrammed with the attiny attached, and you can isolate the attiny (except for ground and power) to prototype right on top of the Arduino.

[wirenut1980]

Great project! It's easy and simple what more could you ask for. In case you might be interested I have a source that has the same brand and specs on the ATtiny but almost half the cost! http://www.mouser.com/Semiconductors/MCU-MPU-DSP-DSC-SoC-Processors/Microcontrollers-MCU/_/N-6hpeg?P=1z0wa9b&Keyword=attiny85&FS=True

[Panici]

Thanks wirenut! I've already got a few ideas to improve upon this design. Thinking of making an enclosure as well.

Mouser is great, but their shipping is $12 more then Digikey.