2025 One Hertz Contest: A Lifelong Pursuit of Innovation
The ATtiny85 microcontroller, often considered a humble yet powerful device, has proven its capabilities in various projects that go beyond its typical role as a neat little desk toy. One such example is a test project by [junkdust], which implements Conway's Game of Life on the microcontroller.
In this project, the ATtiny85 is connected to a 0.91" OLED display with a resolution of 128 x 32 pixels. A 32 x 32 grid simulation of Conway's Game of Life is displayed on the screen, updating once every second. The rest of the display area is used to report the vital statistics of the game, although specific details about these statistics are not provided.
On power up, the grid is populated with a random population. As the game progresses, the cells in the grid evolve according to the rules of Conway's Game of Life, making for a complex and math-heavy test case. This project serves as an excellent demonstration of the ATtiny85's ability to handle non-trivial algorithms within limited resources.
[junkdust]'s entry into the 2025 One Hertz Challenge, a competition asking participants to build a project that does something once every second, showcases the microcontroller's versatility in complex computational tests. The ATtiny85, when combined with a 1-wire DS18B20 sensor, is also used in a custom temperature-triggered PWM fan controller for GPU cooling. This project involved writing low-level code without libraries and firmware bloat, demonstrating the microcontroller's suitability for precise, real-time hardware control applications.
Another interesting use of the ATtiny85 is a dual setup acting as a mini "BIOS" system. One ATtiny85 manages status LED flashing, serial data configuration, and interrupt handling, freeing up space on the main processor. This architecture enables more complex applications and efficient resource use, pushing the ATtiny85 beyond its typical role.
While the ATtiny85 has yet to be directly connected to the internet or run advanced high-level frameworks, ongoing explorations into connectivity options and WebUSB support with ATtiny85-class devices suggest potential future extensions into IoT applications.
In conclusion, the ATtiny85 microcontroller's versatility is evident in its ability to handle complex computational tests, multitasking arrangements, and hardware interface innovation. [junkdust]'s project implementing Conway's Game of Life on an ATtiny85 is a testament to the microcontroller's capability to handle unconventional and challenging algorithms within resource constraints.
- The OLED display in [junkdust]'s Conway's Game of Life project, which is connected to the ATtiny85 microcontroller, showcases the microcontroller's functional compatibility with advanced technology gadgets.
- In the custom temperature-triggered PWM fan controller for GPU cooling by [junkdust], the ATtiny85 microcontroller is utilized to demonstrate its expertise in handling complex technology, particularly in precise, real-time hardware control applications.
