{"id":31533,"date":"2024-02-02T22:58:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T22:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/?p=31533"},"modified":"2024-02-03T11:16:05","modified_gmt":"2024-02-03T11:16:05","slug":"pinball-ball-detector-alternative-microcontrollers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/2024\/02\/02\/pinball-ball-detector-alternative-microcontrollers\/","title":{"rendered":"PINBALL BALL DETECTOR – ALTERNATIVE MICROCONTROLLERS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

In his new two-part article (Part One<\/a>, Part Two<\/a>), Todd Andersen shows us how to build a microcontroller-based pinball ball detector to trigger add-ons such as toppers or enhanced lighting effects. His article focuses on building a system around an Arduino Uno microcontroller but, as he explains, other microcontrollers can be used instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this addendum he examines several alternatives to the Arduino Uno, describing how they have their unique features and requirements, and provides the sketches to make them read the IR sensor input module and control the relay output module.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

As only just a few pins are needed to make the Arduino-based pinball detector featured in Part One<\/a> and Part Two<\/a>, a few different microcontroller boards could be used instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the genuine Arduino Uno board, I have had success using various standalone microcontrollers, Digistump Digispark and clone boards, LilyTiny clone boards, ATtiny88 boards and clones, Arduino clone boards, and Raspberry Pi Pico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some suggestions listed from the smallest board to the largest:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. ATtiny85<\/strong><\/a>
    Click     here<\/a> for details of how to add this board to the Arduino IDE
    .<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Digistump Digispark USB-MICRO<\/strong><\/a>
    Follow these two Pinball News links for more detailed information:     Link 1<\/a> and Link 2<\/a>
    Click     here<\/a> and here<\/a> for details of how to add this board to the Arduino IDE
    .<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Digistump Digispark USB-A<\/a> <\/strong>
    Follow these two Pinball News links for more detailed information:     Link 1<\/a> and Link 2<\/a>
    Click     here<\/a> and here<\/a> for details of how to add this board to the Arduino IDE
    .<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Digistump Digispark Pro<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/a>
    Follow     this link<\/a> for more detailed information
    Click     here<\/a> and here<\/a> for details of how to add this board to the Arduino IDE
    .<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Nano \u2013 MH-ET LIVE Attiny88<\/a> <\/strong>
    See     details below<\/a>
    Click     here<\/a> and here<\/a> for details of how to add this board to the Arduino IDE
    .<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Nano \u2013 Atmega328P<\/a> <\/strong>
    Follow these Pinball News links for more detailed information:     Link 1<\/a> and Link 2<\/a>
    This board is supported in the standard Arduino IDE installation
    .<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Nano \u2013 LGT8F328P<\/a> <\/strong>
    See     details below<\/a>
    Click     here<\/a> for details of how to add this board to the Arduino IDE
    .<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Raspberry Pi Pico<\/a> <\/strong>
    See     details below<\/a>
    Click     here<\/a> for details of how to add this board to the Arduino IDE
    .<\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Uno<\/a> <\/strong>
    Follow these Pinball News links for more detailed information:     Link 1<\/a> and Link 2<\/a>
    This board is supported in the standard Arduino IDE installation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This list also, coincidentally, is listed from the hardest to the easiest to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bonus board:<\/strong> The \u2018VCC-GND Studio YD-RP2040\u2019 is a RP2040-based Arduino Nano sized microcontroller board. And, it has an RGB LED output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ……<\/mark>10. Nano \u2013 YD-RP2040<\/strong><\/a>
    ………….<\/mark>See     details below<\/a>
    ………….<\/mark>Click     here<\/a> for details of how to add this board to the Arduino IDE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Because the YD-RP2040 is RP2040 microcontroller-based, it can be programmed much like the Raspberry Pi Pico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This tenth bonus board is more expensive than the first eight (or nine, if you use an Uno clone board rather than a genuine Arduino Uno). It costs more than the fiver or tenner the other nine boards cost, but even with its own associated add-ons it\u2019s still much more affordable than many commercially available pinball add-ons or toppers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let’s take a look at a selection of four of those alternative microcontrollers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    TINY 88 NANO<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

    This MH-ET LIVE Tiny88 is an ATtiny88-based microcontroller similar to the ATMega328p-based Nano microcontroller, but with fewer capabilities and at a lower price.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The MH-ET LIVE Tiny88 microcontroller<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Boards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The ‘Tiny88’ is similar to the standard Arduino Nano (and clones) boards, but with a different pin arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Tiny88<\/a>
    Tiny88 Nano front and back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Arduino IDE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Only a few years after its introduction, the Tiny88 microcontroller is almost fully supported in the Arduino IDE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The microcontroller’s selection in the Arduino IDE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Building<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rather than explaining further, we will get to putting together and showing the controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sketch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The T<\/a>iny88 sketch below is laid out to include hardware connections. See lines #12 – #15 and #17 – #20.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The sketch for the Tiny88 microcontroller ball detector<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Entire Sketch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can view or copy the full sketch for the Tiny88 here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \/\/Tiny88PIrSens.INO\n\n\n\/*\nPinball News\nhttps://www.pinballnews.com\/\nFebruary, 2024\nThis example code is in the public domain.\n*\/\n\n\n\/\/Input Module pins\n\/\/ irSensorPwr  =  5V \n\/\/ irSensorGnd  =  GND\nint irSensorOut  =  3;\n\n\/\/Output Module pins\n\/\/ relayPwr  =  5V\n\/\/ relayPGnd  =  GND\nint relayIn  =  0;\n\n\/\/ Change as needed\nint Dwell  =  777;  \n\n\n\/\/ Setup\nvoid setup ()                         \n{                                     \n  pinMode (irSensorOut, INPUT_PULLUP);    \n    digitalWrite (irSensorOut, HIGH);\n  pinMode (relayIn, OUTPUT);\n    digitalWrite (relayIn, LOW); \n}                                     \n\n\n\/\/ Loop\nvoid loop ()                          \n{                                     \n  if (digitalRead (irSensorOut) == LOW)   \n  {                                   \n    digitalWrite (relayIn, HIGH);       \n    digitalWrite (LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);\n      delay (Dwell);                   \n  }                                   \n  else                                \n  {                                   \n    digitalWrite (relayIn, LOW);\n    digitalWrite (LED_BUILTIN, LOW);        \n  }                                      \n}                <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Finished Controller<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    With hardware and software together, we have a finished T<\/a>iny88 microcontroller-based prototype ball detector.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"IR<\/a>
    IR sensor module, relay module and Tiny88 board all powered – but not activated<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \"IR<\/a>
    IR sensor module, relay module and Tiny88 board all powered and also triggered<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n
    LGT8F328P NANO<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    This LGT8F328P-based microcontroller is similar to ATMega328p-based microcontroller, but with additional capabilities and at a lower price.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"LGT8F328P's<\/a>
    LGT8F328P’s features<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Boards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Some versions of this LGT8F328P module are pin-for-pin compatible with the standard Arduino Nano (and clones) board. This makes them convenient for using on some of the inexpensive Nano breakout boards available.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Tired<\/a>
    Tired old ATMega328p Nano board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \"Shiny<\/a>
    Shiny new LGT8F328P Nano board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Breakout Boards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Several relatively-inexpensive breakout boards (a.k.a. ‘shileds’) are available to aid connections to the Nano board.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"A<\/a>
    A remotely-powered Breakout board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \"A<\/a>
    A simpler unpowered breakout board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Arduino IDE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Only a few years after its introduction, the LGT8F328P microcontroller is almost fully supported in the Arduino IDE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The microcontroller’s selection in the Arduino IDE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Building<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    This article will be taking advantage of an already existing pinout<\/a> arrangement to create our pinball controller \u2013 modified from previous articles. Rather than explaining any further, we will get to putting together and showing the controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Sketch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    The LGT8F328P sketch below is laid out to include the hardware connections. See lines #10 – #13 and #15 – #18. For simplicity, all the connections are kept on one side of the board, with only one connection doubled-up.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The sketch for the LGT8F328 microcontroller ball detector<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Entire Sketch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    \/\/LGT8F328PIrSens.INO\n\n\/*\nPinball News\nhttps://www.pinballnews.com\/\nFebruary, 2024\nThis example code is in the public domain.\n*\/\n\n\/\/Input Module pins\n\/\/ irSensorPwr  =  3.3 Volt  \n\/\/ irSensorGnd  =  GND\nint irSensorOut  =  A0;\n\n\/\/Output Module pins\n\/\/ relayPwr  =  5.0 Volt\n\/\/ relayPGnd  =  GND\nint relayIn  =  A7;\n\n\/\/ Change as needed\nint Dwell  =  777;  \n\n\/\/ Setup\nvoid setup ()                         \n{                                     \n  pinMode (irSensorOut, INPUT_PULLUP);    \n    digitalWrite (irSensorOut, HIGH);\n  pinMode (relayIn, OUTPUT);\n    digitalWrite (relayIn, LOW); \n}                                     \n\n\/\/ Loop\nvoid loop ()                          \n{                                     \n  if (digitalRead (irSensorOut) == LOW)   \n  {                                   \n    digitalWrite (relayIn, HIGH);       \n    digitalWrite (LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);\n      delay (Dwell);                   \n  }                                   \n  else                                \n  {                                   \n    digitalWrite (relayIn, LOW);\n    digitalWrite (LED_BUILTIN, LOW);        \n  }                                      \n}                                     <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Finished Controller<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    With hardware and software together, we have a finished LGT8F328P-based microcontroller prototype ball detector.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Sensor<\/a>
    Sensor and relay modules and the LGT8F328P board all powered, but not activated<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \"Sensor<\/a>
    Sensor and relay modules and the LGT8F328P board all powered, and also triggered<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n
    RASPBERRY PI PICO<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    This RP2040 based microcontroller is similar to ATMega328p based microcontroller, but available at a lower price.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"RP2040<\/a>
    RP2040 features<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Boards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Some versions of this RP2040 microprocessor module can be used with inexpensive breakout boards.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Raspberry<\/a>
    Raspberry Pi Pico front and back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Breakout Boards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Several relatively-inexpensive breakout boards are available.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"A<\/a>
    A remotely-powered breakout board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \"An<\/a>
    An unpowered breakout board with LED indicators (shown lit for clarity)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Arduino IDE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Only a few years after its introduction, the RP2040 microcontroller is almost fully supported and compatible in the Arduino IDE<\/a> software.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The Raspberry Pi Pico in the Arduino IDE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Building<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Rather than explaining further, we will get to putting together and demonstrating the controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Sketch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    The Raspberry Pi Pico sketch below is laid out to include hardware connections. See lines #12 \u2013 #15 and #17 \u2013 #20. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
    To make things simpler, connections are kept on just one side of the board, while no connections are doubled-up.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The sketch in the Arduino IDE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Entire Sketch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Here’s the full sketch you can copy and paste:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    \/\/RaspberryPiPicoIrSens.INO\n\/*\nPinball News\nhttps://www.pinballnews.com\/\nFebruary, 2024\nThis example code is in the public domain.\n*\/\n\n\/\/Input Module pins\n\/\/ irSensorPwr  =  3v3OUT  \n\/\/ irSensorGnd  =  GND\nint irSensorOut  =  28;\n\n\/\/Output Module pins\n\/\/ relayPwr  =  VBUS\n\/\/ relayPGnd  =  GND\nint relayIn  =  22;\n\n\/\/ Change as needed\nint Dwell  =  777;  \n\n\/\/ Setup\nvoid setup ()                         \n{                                     \n  pinMode (irSensorOut, INPUT_PULLUP);    \n    digitalWrite (irSensorOut, HIGH);\n  pinMode (relayIn, OUTPUT);\n    digitalWrite (relayIn, LOW); \n}                                     \n\n\/\/ Loop\nvoid loop ()                          \n{                                     \n  if (digitalRead (irSensorOut) == LOW)   \n  {                                   \n    digitalWrite (relayIn, HIGH);\n      delay (Dwell);                   \n  }                                   \n  else                                \n  {                                   \n    digitalWrite (relayIn, LOW);        \n  }                                      \n}                                     \n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Finished Controller<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    With hardware and software together, we have a finished RP2040-based prototype controller.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Sensor<\/a>
    Sensor and relay modules and Pico all powered, but not activated<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \"Sensor<\/a>
    Sensor and relay modules and Pico all powered and also activated<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n
    YD-RP2040 NANO<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    The VCC-GND Studio YD-RP2040 is an RP2040-based microcontroller board similar to the ATMega328p-based Nano microcontroller board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    This board is the first used in this series of articles to include an on-board multi-colour light – its own RGB LED module. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
    With the use of this added LED module (called a ‘NeoPixel<\/a>‘), we have switched from a behind-the-scenes controller to a module which may be playfield or backbox top mounted to add visual effect(s). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
    And, we don\u2019t have to stop with the single LED NeoPixel of this module. NeoPixels come in a wide variety of forms<\/a>, any of which could be added to give complex lighting effects to the playfield or backbox. The single NeoPixel is only used here as a very singular example to give you some idea of what NeoPixels can do.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The VCC-GND Studio YD-RP2040’s features<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Boards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Some boards utilizing the RP2040 module, such as the ones below, include NeoPixel(s).  The top board also includes a button (labelled ‘USR’) which we can use as a convenient manually-activated input device for easy prototype testing.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Boards<\/a>
    Boards with one or more NeoPixels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The features of the VCC-GND Studio YD-RP2040 board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Breakout Boards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    On a related note, NeoPixel breakout boards are also available for the Raspberry Pi Pico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    \"Raspberry
    Raspberry Pi Pico wearing an LED matrix \u2018hat\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Arduino IDE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    This RP2040-based microcontroller board is supported in the Arduino IDE<\/a>, as a ‘Sparkfun ProMicro RP2040’ board.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The RP2040-based microcontroller board in the Arduino IDE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    Sketch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    We will have to investigate the well-commented sketch further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Let\u2019s first give credit where due, to Adafruit Industries who provided their own example; the original ‘buttoncycler’ sketch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The edited ‘buttoncycler’ sketch with the required library and definitions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    This sketch requires a few things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n