Atmel Launches 8-bit tinyAVRs With 1KB Flash Memory

Atmel Corporation announced highest performing, low power, 8-bit MCUs with 1kB flash memory.

The ATtiny102/104 MCUs run up to 12MIPS and integrate features previously only available in larger more expensive MCUs, making them for smaller applications including logic replacement and the latest cost-optimized applications in the consumer, industrial and home automation markets.

The majority of today’s 8-bit market growth is coming from applications that previously only required discrete components. With many of these new applications requiring simple intelligent functions including timing, motor control or on/off functionality, 8-bit MCUs are becoming an essential feature for the personal healthcare, small kitchen appliance and consumer markets. The ATtiny102/104 8-bit AVRs provide all the necessary features to help spur the growth in these applications with its small, cost-optimized low-pincount package with just 1kB of flash memory. Integrated features include self-programming for firmware upgrades; non-volatile storage; accurate internal oscillator to provide more reliable motor control; high-speed serial communication with USART; operating voltages ranging from 1.8V to 5.5V, 10-bit ADC with internal voltage references; and sleep currents at less than 100nA in power down mode with SRAM retention.

“Atmel has already sold more units of its 8-bit AVR core based MCUs than the 7.4 billion people on Earth,” said Oyvind Strom, Sr. director, MCUs, Atmel. “We continue to expand our AVR portfolio with the new ATtiny102/104 8-bit MCUs. These are the first two devices in our new AVR Tiny portfolio that are packed with features optimized for tiny, compact MCU systems such as LED lighting, fan control and other small applications.“

Key Features for 8-bit tinyAVR MCUs

1kB flash/32B SRAM
8- and 14-pin pacages down to 2x3mm in size
Up to 12 MIPS at 12MHz
Self-programmable flash
Accurate (±3%) internal oscillator
Multiple calibrated internal voltage references (1.1V, 2.2V, 4.3V)
10B unique ID (serial number)
USART
10-bit ADC and analog comparator
1.8V to 5.5V voltage range
-40°C to +105°C and -40°C to +125°C temperature ranges

Development kits and ecosystem
To accelerate the design process, the company offers a low-cost Xplained Nano evaluation kit available for $4.44 in the firm webstore. The kit includes a board with an ATtiny104, embedded programmer, access to all I/O, one push button and one LED. The ATtiny102/104 are fully supported by firm’s development ecosystem, including Studio 7, the integrated development environment (IDE) for developing and debugging Atmel|SMART Cortex-M and firm’AVR MCU-based applications. Studio 7 gives designers a easy-to-use environment for coding, building, simulating, programming, and debugging applications for MCUs. With firm’s broad portfolio of AVR products and easy-to-use development software, designers can bring their 8-bit MCU to market quickly. Additionally, designers have access to the company’s embedded software, including the company’s software framework and application notes, and the firm’ gallery ‘app’ store.

The ATtiny 102/104 engineering samples are available with mass production samples scheduled for May 2016.