What's included in the kits?

Our kits are based around an Atmel ATtiny26L or ATmega168 microcontroller (MCU). These are powerful, industrial grade MCUs, and we help you build a full system around them. Each has a CPU, permanent storage (flash memory), temporary storage (static RAM), and inputs and outputs.

The most significant feature which sets us apart from other kits is that we include a LCD screen with your kit, capable of displaying 24x2 characters. For any projects that require a person to interact with the circuit, an LCD screen is an essential device. Typical development kits (targeted at full-time electrical engineers, not beginners who need more guidance) often charge significantly more to include LCDs.

(click a photo to enlarge)

Both the USB NerdKit and the Parallel Port NerdKit include:

• Our Official NerdKits Guide, a PDF book which contains step-by-step information on how to build the kit, plus actual explanation of why you're being told to perform each step. The book contains lots of color photos and screenshots, and addresses the electrical setup, the software setup, the C programming language, and walks you through writing, compiling, and running your very first microcontroller program. This is the core of the instructional material, and the educational value contained within will help ease you past the typical roadblocks and on your way to success.
• Our sample code, which helps those of you who can learn most quickly by seeing examples of working software. This includes commented code showing how to use the LCD, the analog-to-digital converter, and other features of the NerdKit. Starting from a working code template lets you avoid issues with setting up your compiler and programming tools and lets you get down to business.
• One CD-ROM containing the Guide, the sample code, and software you need to program the chip.
• One LCD screen, 2 lines by 24 characters wide. Note: the LCDs do not have a backlight, so they can't be read in the dark.
• One solderless breadboard with 30 connection rows. While it's more expensive than a normal printed circuit board, a solderless breadboard allows you to modify your design and build new projects quickly, and keeps you away from high temperatures which could damage you or your parts.
• One 9V battery and connector. Using a standard 9V battery, your kit can run for about ten hours, or even longer if using the AVR's sleep modes. You're welcome to replace the battery with a wall-powered adapter if you decide you don't need the flexibility of having your circuit work away from an outlet.
• One voltage regulator. The microcontroller requires a clean, consistent power supply. A chip to provide this is included.
• One temperature sensor. We give you a high-quality, integrated-circuit temperature sensor (LM34), which is already calibrated and will teach you about measuring things in the real world, and working with analog to digital conversion.
• Two red LEDs
• Two yellow LEDs
• Two green LEDs
• One pushbutton. Nice click action.
• Two SPDT switches, good as general purpose switches.
• One 7-bit-wide DIP switch, which is just a collection of small switches in one package, useful for setting input values without reprogramming.
• Wire, resistors, etc. The small things that connect everything together.

The USB NerdKit includes:

• One Atmel AVR ATmega168 microcontroller. This includes the CPU, flash memory, and RAM. This is more powerful than the ATtiny26L and allows for more flexibility in your projects.
• One USB programming cable and circuit. While other starter kits try to integrate as much as possible on a printed circuit board, we've realized that it's hard to learn when so much is "black boxed" away from you. We have a minimal circuit to get you from USB to your own circuit, and in our guide we explain how it works. Additionally, you can use the USB version to communicate between your microcontroller and programs running on your PC, which allows for a whole new dimension of possible projects!
• One piezoelectric buzzer, which allows you to make music in software (see video).

The Parallel Port NerdKit includes:

• One Atmel AVR ATtiny26L microcontroller. This includes the CPU, flash memory, and RAM.
• One parallel port programming cable. If you do some research about microcontrollers, you'll discover that loading your code onto them can be a challenge. Our cable, software, and instructions make it easy! This kit requires a computer with a real parallel port -- see below if you're not sure.

In addition, there are plenty of sensors and actuators that we don't include but are easy to find (from old electronics "junk", or even at your local Radio Shack) and are easy to add to the kit. Examples include:

• DC motors like you'd find in R/C toys. (Our microcontrollers have a built-in PWM output for smoothly controlling the speed of motors like these.)
• Stepper motors, which rotate to a given position, rather than spinning continuously under applied power.
• Relays, which allow your microcontroller to turn big-power items on and off.
• Speakers and buzzers, which provide another way for your microcontroller code to tell the user that it needs attention.
• Light sensors, which might be used just to tell how bright/dark it is, or might be used in more interesting ways to actually send information over light!

What's required to make it work?

We expect that you have the following things in order to use our kit:

• Computer, with Windows or Linux. Sorry, OS X doesn't yet support our USB device. Also, Windows XP x64 and 64-bit Vista are not known to work at this point.
  • USB NerdKit: A driver for Windows is included. For Linux, the kit uses the CH341 driver, included with kernels 2.6.24 and up. This is included with recent distributions (i.e. Ubuntu Hardy Heron), but if you're not sure, run "modinfo ch341" as root, or ask us before ordering.
  • 
    Parallel Port NerdKit: Requires a parallel port (see picture on the right). Also, right now, USB to parallel port converters are not known to work, so you really need to have a hardware parallel port. If you're not sure, ask us before ordering.
  The compiler software (WinAVR, open-source) is compatible with Windows and Linux, and we take special care to make sure our tools work on both.
• Wire strippers. If you don't have wire strippers already, your local hardware store will.
• Screwdriver. A screwdriver is needed briefly to adjust the contrast of the LCD screen.

While not required, a multimeter can be handy for debugging your circuits. You might already have one, but if not, simple ones can often be found for less than $15.

Where can I buy one?

Take a look at our store!

Copyright © 2008 by the NerdKits team. Please don't redistribute our materials without our permission.