Hi,
I'm new to the group and to the world of microcontrollers, but can find my way around a variety of assembler languages. I am planning two projects for this summer, and would be very grateful indeed if you would suggest an AVR microcontroller, development hardware, and software+tutorial materials for each.
Project 1: A two-color darkroom led lamp controller with timer.
Feature A: Color and luminosity control. Device will have independent 2 banks, one blue, one green of high intensity LEDs. Each bank to be set at one of 10 luminosity levels using PWM. Luminosity levels (Pulse width) in 2 lookup tables, one for each bank.
Feature B: Linear and Logarithmic timer functions. Timer for lamp can be set linearly in minutes/seconds using rocker switch and increased/decreased logarithmically (e.g.2x,4x,8x) using a second rocker switch. Log base (i.e. 2, 1.41 etc) selectable using a third rocker.
Feature C: LED display for luminosity level set. 4 digit LED display for timer. 1 digit display for logartihmic base chosen (one of 7 from a lookup table).
Project 2 is a similar timer/controller with more timing inputs and LED displays, but the controlled item is a stepper motor for chemical agitation.
So, where should I begin?
Which AVR chip is the most amenable to being programmed by a newbie, and at the same time has some built in support for these various functions (log increments, timer up, timer down, LED driver etc. etc). Bare bones is ok.
What testing board should I use? What software?
My budget is $60 for the above chip+programmer/test board+software , max. (excluding the cost of controlled hardware such as the LEDs and the input switches etc).
I'd be immensely grateful for any guidance. I know it will take the summer, but I'm really looking forward to this.