Debugging Code on an Arduino ATTiny85

[rgsparber]

I really enjoy playing with devices that are tiny, intricate, and low in cost. The ATTiny85 certainly fits that description. It is an entire computer system that easily rests on a fingernail. It can be bought for under $1.50. So what's not to like? Well, with the tiny package comes a tiny number of Input/Output pins. This is fine if that is what the application needs but sure makes debugging code difficult.

In my present application, I was able to borrow a single pin on the ATTiny85 in order to send out debugging information. This article describes the software that runs inside the ATTiny85 plus software that runs on a companion Pro Micro. Together they let me send bytes out this single pin and have them show up on my laptop.

For those of you with far more experience programming Arduinos, I welcome suggestions on how to make the code on the ATTiny85 smaller and use less real time. I would also like to speed up the throughput of the Pro Micro.

If you are interested, please see

http://rick.sparber.org/SPrint.pdf


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.

Rick

[DIYer]

Thanks Rick! We've added your ATTiny85 Debugging Method to our Electronics category, as well as to your builder page: Rick's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

ATTiny85 Debugging Method by Rick Sparber

tags: Arduino