Introduction: Portal "Still Alive" on AVR Microcontrollers
More by the author:
About: I make electronic stuff.Because I Can.
Yet another Portal-related instructable , but Different !
This one shows you how to :
1)Build a very cheap device that plays an 8-bit version of Still Alive from Portal
2)On the same hardware , but with a different chip , play the "radio tune"
Here are both projects , in the same video (I hope the video quality does not affect how this entry is rated.I filmed it with a phone camera) :
Move on to the next step for the parts list for each of the two projects
This one shows you how to :
1)Build a very cheap device that plays an 8-bit version of Still Alive from Portal
2)On the same hardware , but with a different chip , play the "radio tune"
Here are both projects , in the same video (I hope the video quality does not affect how this entry is rated.I filmed it with a phone camera) :
Move on to the next step for the parts list for each of the two projects
Step 1: Parts List
As mentioned in the intro , the parts required for this project are really cheap.
What do you need ?
You need to know how to program AVR microcontrollers
Here's the parts list :
1)A 16 MHz crystal oscillator
2)A 75 Ohm (Or something around that value) resistor
3)An audio jack connector , so you can connect the device to speakers
4)A 7805 5Volt voltage regulator
5)For the 8 bit version of still alive you will need an ATMega16.For the second project , you will need an ATMega644.The parts above are common for both projects.
And the tools list :
1)An AVR programmer
...and that's it.You really don't need any tools , IF you have a breadboard and some wires .
But in case you don't have a breadboard , grab a perfboard , a 40 pin DIP socket for the microcontroller , a soldering gun , and solder everything on the board,according to the schematic (Which is in the next step).
What do you need ?
You need to know how to program AVR microcontrollers
Here's the parts list :
1)A 16 MHz crystal oscillator
2)A 75 Ohm (Or something around that value) resistor
3)An audio jack connector , so you can connect the device to speakers
4)A 7805 5Volt voltage regulator
5)For the 8 bit version of still alive you will need an ATMega16.For the second project , you will need an ATMega644.The parts above are common for both projects.
And the tools list :
1)An AVR programmer
...and that's it.You really don't need any tools , IF you have a breadboard and some wires .
But in case you don't have a breadboard , grab a perfboard , a 40 pin DIP socket for the microcontroller , a soldering gun , and solder everything on the board,according to the schematic (Which is in the next step).
Step 2: Build the Beast
This is extremely easy to build , as it uses a very small amout of parts.
The schematic is common , for both projects.You will only need to change the chip.
For the 8 bit version of Still Alive , use ATMega16
For the radio tune , use ATMega644
Both chips have the same pinout , so in case you are soldering everything to a perfboard , if you want it to ,make both projects on the same board, use a 40 pin DIP socket and swap the chips when you want.
The schematic is attached to this step.
Here are the firmware files for the AVRs:
1)8-bit Still Alive , for ATMega16 : https://sourceforge.net/projects/avrsa/files/StillAliveATMega16.hex/download
2)The radio tune , for ATMega644 : https://sourceforge.net/projects/avrsa/files/RadioTuneATMega644.hex/download
The schematic is common , for both projects.You will only need to change the chip.
For the 8 bit version of Still Alive , use ATMega16
For the radio tune , use ATMega644
Both chips have the same pinout , so in case you are soldering everything to a perfboard , if you want it to ,make both projects on the same board, use a 40 pin DIP socket and swap the chips when you want.
The schematic is attached to this step.
Here are the firmware files for the AVRs:
1)8-bit Still Alive , for ATMega16 : https://sourceforge.net/projects/avrsa/files/StillAliveATMega16.hex/download
2)The radio tune , for ATMega644 : https://sourceforge.net/projects/avrsa/files/RadioTuneATMega644.hex/download
Step 3: Troubleshooting
The hardware is so simple , that you can't really have problems with it as long as you follow the schematic.The only problem that you may encounter is this one :
If the song sounds very slowed down compared to the video
Are you sure you configured your AVR to run on an external crystal ? Try to remove the 16 MHz oscillator.If it still works , it means it's running on the internal 8 MHz oscilaltor , and that's why it is so slow. Configure the fuse bits for External Crystal Oscillator (Leave all CKSEL bits unprogrammed).
If the song sounds very slowed down compared to the video
Are you sure you configured your AVR to run on an external crystal ? Try to remove the 16 MHz oscillator.If it still works , it means it's running on the internal 8 MHz oscilaltor , and that's why it is so slow. Configure the fuse bits for External Crystal Oscillator (Leave all CKSEL bits unprogrammed).
Step 4: This Was a Triumph !
If you successfully built it and it works , then congratulations , the enrichment center is very proud of your huge success ! We are throwing a party in honor of your success.The companion cube is also there (Portal joke.Couldn't resist.)
Anyway , I hope you liked this instructable :)
Anyway , I hope you liked this instructable :)
Participated in the
MakerBot Challenge
