{"id":27475,"date":"2022-12-24T23:04:29","date_gmt":"2022-12-24T23:04:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/?p=27475"},"modified":"2022-12-26T11:23:51","modified_gmt":"2022-12-26T11:23:51","slug":"pinball-add-on-controller-part-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/2022\/12\/24\/pinball-add-on-controller-part-two\/","title":{"rendered":"PINBALL ADD-ON CONTROLLER: PART TWO"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Pinball<\/a>
Pinball News is all the news about pinball \u2013 you need to scope it out<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is the second part of a two part Pinball News Learn How<\/a> set of articles. This second half concentrates on software, whereas the first half<\/a> focused on hardware. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This set is a continuing update to a previous set (first<\/a> and second<\/a>) of article halves. The subject of all four of these articles is the use of AVR RISC Microcontrollers<\/a> with pinball machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of this article pair is to provide general information and tips for creating your own AVR microcontroller based pinball add-ons, such as an interactive topper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though one specific pinball topper is covered in this half, it is only included for the purpose of bringing together software examples from this half and hardware examples from the previous half<\/a>. Together, these two halves combine show one completed project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This second article deals with the use of Arduino software. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It starts with an explanation and a few simple Arduino sketches for Digispark<\/em> clone boards. It them moves on to a more complicated programming example, requiring multiple inputs to control multiple outputs, and the use of a Nano<\/em> clone board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For information on running and using the Arduino IDE software to write and upload your sketches, see the previous article about the Digispark-based IR testers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As previously stated, the completed hardware and software project is shown in this half. Links for going further are also included towards the end of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the Digispark <\/em>clone board is smaller and simpler than a Nano <\/em>clone board, we will start by considering the Digispark<\/em>. Its postage stamp size makes it ideal for easily hiding in a pinball topper or, when used for the addition of a custom playfield feature, finding space to mount it under the playfield. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to it being ATtiny85 microcontroller based, this board only has enough power and resources for a single lighting effect or single user-created feature. For larger, more complicated projects, a Nano<\/em> clone board can be used instead. This board has greater storage for your sketch and can more easily use multiple inputs to control multiple outputs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will actually make two updates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n