Micro Controller Projects

for Radio Amateurs and Hobbyists

On this web site you will find a series of projects of interest to Radio Amateurs and other hobbyists. If you are interested in home-brew micro controller projects, this is the place for you!
All the projects use the AVR family of controllers from Atmel. Some use the older AT90S4433, now replaced by the ATMEGA8, a really powerful 28 pin device which sports a six channel A-D converter, RAM, EEPROM, a UART and two timers. Most projects use a simpler, cheaper, but even faster device, the AT90S2313, a 20 pin device that will operate at 16 MHz, or nearly 16 million instructions per second. Speed combined with versatility and a good mix of RAM, EEPROM, UART and timers make this the perfect device for many applications.
Check back here frequently for new projects. There are plans for many more! If you like what you see, or develop something with that you would like added to this web site, please contact the author. Most of these projects have been featured in BREAK-IN Magazine as they were released.
For more information about each project, click on this icon next to the project name.
For FREE download of complete project archive, click on this symbol where available.
For some projects this icon is displayed, indicating that there is a charge for the firmware.
See the information at the bottom of this page for further information on where and how to get the firmware.

GENERAL
AVR Programming Cable
Schematic of the in-circuit Programming Cable required for all these projects. You only need to build it once. Intended for use with AVR ISP V2.65.
Beginners' Programming Environment
Beginner's development system - uses PC monitor program - easy for those new to micro programming. Free download.
Programming Environment with LCD Display
As above but with additional standard LCD display - includes LCD drivers! Free download.
TEST EQUIPMENT
Six Channel Digital Voltmeter with PC Display Powered by the PC serial port - software for PC with digital, bar graph and trend graph display - slow oscilloscope mode - data logger or temperature recorder (write your own PC logging software)
Frequency Counter and Voltmeter with LCD Display
High performance 8 digit HF frequency counter, with telemetry - LCD display shows count and two analog data inputs - receiver display version with S-meter and IF offsets.
High Accuracy LCD Frequency Counter
High performance 8 digit HF frequency counter - TCXO reference - LCD display - only three chips - simple to use.
Embedded Single Chip Frequency Counter
High performance 8 digit HF frequency counter - single chip to 6MHz - LCD display - 12, 24 and 1200MHz options - designed for use in receivers and signal generators. Coming soon!
SIGNAL GENERATORS
Synthesized Function Generator
Direct Digital Synthesis - simple but high performance Signal Generator zero to 250 kHz in 0.05 Hz steps - stable, low distortion sine, square, triangle and ramp - includes precision sweep generator- same hardware as Signal Generator.
Synthesized Signal Generator
Direct Digital Synthesis - simple but high performance Signal Generator zero to 250 kHz in 0.1 Hz steps with decimal programming. Generates sine, square, ramp, two-tone, and includes very versatile precision sweep generator.
Sine/Noise/Pulse and Sweep Generator
Direct Digital Synthesis - same hardware as Signal Generator - zero to 400 kHz in 0.08 Hz steps - stable, low distortion sinewaves, with sweep function - includes a pseudo-random noise generator to 400kHz - highly versatile pulse generator - square wave or pulsed RF.
AMATEUR RADIO
Synthesized 1W LF Exciter
Direct Digital Synthesis - high performance multi-mode LF Exciter from zero to 400 kHz in < 0.1 Hz steps - very stable, low phase noise signals - precision sweep generator - remarkable five mode internal beacon generator - only uses four inexpensive chips - PC controlled and calibrated, or stand-alone! This is the world's first stand-alone beacon transmitter to offer JASON mode.
LF Exciter Front Panel Controller
Long awaited front panel for above LF Exciter - LCD display of frequency, mode and time - "VFO" frequency control - mode, beacon schedule, hand keying options. Coming soon!
Super Beacon Keyer with Telemetry
Advanced keyer for HF or VHF - 10 telemetry channels, six analog - easily changed messages with telemetry and multiple Morse and Hell modes - audio or digital output.
Mini-Keyer with Telemetry
Simpler keyer for HF or VHF - digital telemetry - easily changed messages with telemetry and multiple modes.
Automatic Rotator Controller
Adds automatic computer control to widely used manual rotator controllers, such as the KENPRO KR-400, Yaesu G-400, CDR CD-44 and HY-GAIN HAM IV - send rotator to favourite heading, or control from logging or digital mode software (such as MIXW)! Free to NZART members.
TIME & FREQUENCY
UTC Superclock
UTC (GMT) and local time clock with LCD display - precision reference accuracy 3 seconds per year - internal calibration technique - battery backup and power fail alarm - inexpensive with recycled parts, comprehensive manual. Free download.
GPSCLOCK
GPS Disciplined reference with UTC and local time clock and LCD display - internal 10MHz reference with 10^-9 performance short term, 10^-11 long term - clock accuracy 1 second per century! - uses GPS to self calibrate phase-locked reference - battery backup and power fail alarm.
Precision Frequency Exciter for HF
Small 40mW transmitter, optional 2W amp - AM and CW modulation - micro-powered synthesizer - 2 to 10MHz using TV sync or GPS reference - carrier frequency precision of 1 part in 10⁷! Real time UTC clock, seconds ticks and ID message included. This is an older project, but simple to build and very useful as a reference transmission or propagation monitoring source.
Phase Comparator for Frequency Standards
Monitors phase and computes frequency offset for non-controlled reference sources - similar design to High Performance Frequency Standard, but without phase locking - special PC program to monitor phase and frequency performance. Resolution of 1 in 10¹² in just a few minutes.
High Performance Frequency Standard
Achieves 1 in 10¹² performance using high quality controlled OCXO and GPS 1PPS reference. LCD display. Similar design to GPSCLOCK, but all new software. Will control +ve or -ve slope voltage controlled OCXO. Includes new improved dual display PC software.
'VNG in a BOX'
Portable time code reference for V-TCXO or V-OCXO - any 2kHz step frequency 2 - 15MHz. Time code clock. Generates carrier synchronous 1kHz subcarrier and 1kHz ticks in famous VNG format - sending time of day and carrier phase. Time code can be recorded and/or decoded by PC. Cut-down version of the High Performance Frequency Standard.
GPS Monitor/Display
Companion device for the High Performance Frequency Standard and VNG-in-a-Box. Uses a Motorola GPS timing module, and monitors the GPS fix quality. Puts the Frequency Standard into HOLD if fix is less than 3D, checks receiver as well as fix quality. Can have time/date/fix/position display, and can be used independently. Generates Morse ID for use on air with VNG-in-a-Box!

For more information about each project, click on this icon next to the project name.
For FREE download of complete project archive, click on this symbol where available.
For some projects this icon is displayed, indicating that there is a charge for the firmware.
See below for further information.

SOFTWARE NOTES - PLEASE READ:

Two types of programs are provided - embedded code for the micro controller (called firmware), and some projects have PC code, so you can talk to or monitor the micro (PC code is called software). These programs are provided in two forms - executable code, binary files that you simply load and operate, and source code, text files which contain the programming instructions from which the executables are compiled. The source code gives away all the design secrets and programming ideas, and tells the world how good (or bad) the programmer is. The programs cannot be adapted without the source code and the compilers required to make the executables again. My embedded source code is in WAVRASM syntax, and the PC software source code in Microsoft Quick Basic 3.2 compiler syntax.
Free Projects - For some projects, the code is available free on the web site. There may also be comprehensive design information and a user manual. What you see is what you get. These designs are free not because they are inferior or less popular projects, but so you can gauge what you would get with other projects. Please help yourself! What you get is a free licence to use the code and design for private use. You do not own, or receive any rights to the code and design, which remain with the author. See Legal Notes for details of rights and restrictions.
Where the software is free, support comes at a price. I am happy to quote for such support, also for your customer-specific code, hardware design changes and completely new designs. I only undertake Atmel AVR-based processor designs at present.
Supported Projects - For those projects marked with a symbol, while the hardware design is freely available from the web link, you need to send MONEY to the address below for the micro/PC firmware/software, telling me what you need. There is a fixed price - for each project:

US$10 for executables (so you can program and run the project)
US$30 for source code (so you can understand how it works, and perhaps modify the project for your purposes)
Posting US$ notes wrapped inside a letter is the easiest and most reliable way to pay. NZ$, AU$, EURO and other major currencies are also acceptable. Personal checks, bank checks, internet pay services and money orders are not accepted.
In return I will send the requested code immediately by email, and support your development by answering all your questions. The price gives you a licence to multiple-use of the firmware, but not the right to modify it, sell it or give it away. More importantly, you also get completely unlimited email support for the purchased project to the best of my ability. The prices reflect time spent answering questions, not the value of the firmware. See Legal Notes for details of rights and restrictions.
Where there are multiple versions of the code, you get all versions for the one price. Where there is appropriate PC software, you get that too. When you request source code, you also get any appropriate PC source code as well. All micro - PC communications protocols are fully documented, so you can write your own PC code if you wish.
Clubs and Group Projects - Just pay once, share the software, and spread the cost among all participants (I only provide support via the club project coordinator).
Hardware and Micros - I do not provide any components, micros, kits or hardware, and I do not program your micro for you. It is also very difficult to provide debugging advice by email, and usually impossible to support your modifications. I also cannot provide component source advice, since your sources and my sources are inevitably different. These are the areas where YOU have to commit some effort to the project!
Further Projects - The development cost of micro projects can never be recovered solely through sales. Donations to cover development costs and to encourage further development are especially welcome. Suggestions for further projects that are accompanied by donations focus my attention very well! Send donations (and orders with money attached) to the address below. Enquiries can be made to the email address below.

Orders, donations etc should be sent by snail mail to:

Murray Greenman CSc, ZL1BPU
94 Sim Rd, Karaka,
RD1 Papakura
NEW ZEALAND

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