Microchip ATTINY10-TSHR: A Comprehensive Datasheet Overview and Application Guide

In the realm of ultra-compact, low-power microcontrollers, Microchip's ATTINY10-TSHR stands out as a remarkably powerful and minimalist solution. Housed in a tiny 6-pin SOT-23 package, this member of the AVR® tinyAVR® family packs a surprising amount of functionality, making it an ideal choice for space-constrained and cost-sensitive applications. This article provides a detailed overview of its key features and a practical guide for its implementation.

Core Architecture and Performance

At its heart, the ATTINY10-TSHR is built around a high-performance, low-power 8-bit AVR RISC architecture. Despite its small size, it can operate at speeds up to 12 MIPS at 12MHz, enabled by an internal calibrated oscillator. This allows it to execute instructions in a single clock cycle, providing efficient throughput for a variety of basic control tasks. Its non-volatile program memory consists of 1KB of self-programmable Flash, alongside 32B of SRAM and 32B of EEPROM for data storage.

Power Efficiency and Operating Characteristics

A defining trait of this microcontroller is its exceptional power efficiency. It is designed to operate within a voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V, making it perfectly suited for both battery-powered and regulated line-power applications. The device features multiple sleep modes, including Standby and Power-Down, which reduce power consumption to sub-microamp levels, drastically extending battery life in portable devices.

Minimalist Pinout and Versatile Peripherals

The ingenuity of the ATTINY10-TSHR lies in its efficient use of just six pins. It offers four programmable I/O lines, each with multifunctional capabilities. Key integrated peripherals include:

A high-speed 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with a sample-and-hold circuit.

Two fast 8-bit Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) channels.

A versatile 8-bit and 16-bit timer/counter.

A Universal Serial Interface (USI) that can be configured for SPI, I2C, or UART protocols with software support.

This rich set of features allows it to interface with sensors, control LEDs, drive motors, and communicate with other devices, all from a minuscule footprint.

Application Guide and Design Considerations

The ATTINY10-TSHR excels in applications where PCB real estate is at a premium. Common use cases include:

Sensor Nodes: Reading analog sensors (e.g., temperature, light) via its ADC and transmitting data.

LED Drivers and Lighting Control: Utilizing its PWM outputs for precise dimming and color control.

Consumer Electronics: Adding intelligent control to devices like toys, remote controls, and accessories.

System Management: Acting as a small co-processor for power sequencing, fan control, or GPIO expansion in larger systems.

Programming and Development

Developing for the ATTINY10 requires a dedicated programmer/debugger like the Atmel-ICE or the cheaper Microchip debugGER. Programming is done through the Tiny Programming Interface (TPI), a 4-wire interface that includes data, clock, reset, and power. The device is supported by the comprehensive Atmel Studio/Microchip MPLAB X IDE and the AVR-GCC toolchain.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The Microchip ATTINY10-TSHR demonstrates that significant processing capability can be delivered in an extremely small form factor. Its blend of core AVR performance, ultra-low power consumption, and a versatile peripheral set makes it a formidable choice for minimalist embedded designs.

ICGOODFIND: For engineers and product designers, the ATTINY10-TSHR is an ICGOODFIND when optimizing for size, cost, and power. Its ability to replace simple logic circuits and perform intelligent functions in the tightest of spaces validates its position as a critical component in the modern embedded toolkit.

Keywords: Ultra-Low-Power Microcontroller, AVR Architecture, Miniature SOT-23 Package, Cost-Sensitive Design, Embedded System Control.