A resource for 8-bit AVR microcontrollers
If you want a clear and practical guide to programming the ATtiny3217 Curiosity Nano, this ATtiny3217 CNANO tutorial walks you step-by-step through using the onboard LED and push button. You will learn how to set up the ATtiny3217 CNANO board, write simple programs, and test them using the MPLAB X IDE with the XC8, and … Read more
An MPLAB project is the organized set of source files, configuration settings, libraries, and build rules you use inside the MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment to build firmware. This guide shows beginners how to create an MPLAB project, compile example code, and run a simple MPLAB LED blink code exercise using both XC8 and AVR-GCC … Read more
If you’re looking for a modern, cross-platform alternative to Atmel Studio and Microchip Studio, this guide explains how to install MPLAB and configure it for 8-bit AVR microcontrollers. Tested on Linux Mint MATE, the step-by-step instructions show how to download MPLAB X IDE, install the XC8 and AVR-GCC toolchains, and point MPLAB X IDE to … Read more
An evaluation board — also known as a development board or evaluation kit—is a pre-assembled circuit board designed to help developers, engineers, and hobbyists experiment with a specific microcontroller or system-on-chip. These boards provide everything needed to start prototyping, learning, or debugging, without needing to build a circuit from scratch. For those working with AVR … Read more
LED blink tutorial for 8-bit AVR microcontrollers: Blinking an LED—also known as a blinky LED or flashing LED light—is often the first program you’ll write when learning how to use microcontrollers. In addition it may be referred to as the ‘hello world’ program of embedded systems. It’s simple, satisfying, and demonstrates that your hardware and … Read more
MPLAB X IDE is one of the most powerful tools available for writing, debugging, and programming your firmware for Microchip microcontrollers—whether you are using AVR or PIC. Built on the NetBeans platform, it supports a wide range of devices, tools, and programming workflows suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and professional embedded engineers alike. In this guide, … Read more
The ATtiny85 is a compact yet powerful 8-bit AVR microcontroller that has become a favorite among hobbyists, makers, and even professionals working on space-constrained embedded projects. Its small footprint, low power consumption, and affordable price make it ideal for DIY electronics, wearables, and custom Arduino-compatible builds. Whether you’re just getting started with AVR microcontrollers or … Read more
AVR programming refers to the process of writing software and transferring it to Atmel (now Microchip) AVR microcontrollers. These microcontrollers are popular in DIY electronics, hobbyist projects, and even professional embedded systems. Whether you’re flashing firmware onto an ATmega328P or tinkering with a tiny ATtiny412, understanding how AVR programming works is key to getting your … Read more
If you’re exploring low-level programming in embedded systems, AVR assembly is a great starting point. It offers direct access to hardware on 8-bit AVR microcontrollers like the ATmega and ATtiny series. This article introduces assembly language in general, with examples from various architectures—including practical snippets of AVR assembly to help you understand how these powerful … Read more
In embedded systems, a push button or mechanical switch may seem like the simplest of input devices. But under the hood, there’s a common challenge known as switch bounce—rapid, unintended signal changes caused by the mechanical nature of switches. Without proper switch debounce, these false triggers can confuse digital systems and lead to erratic behavior. … Read more