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ATtiny26(L)
1477ES–AVR–12/03
Description The ATtiny26(L) is a low-power CMOS 8-bit microcontroller based on the AVR
enhanced RISC architecture. By executing powerful instructions in a single clock cycle,
the ATtiny26(L) achieves throughputs approaching 1 MIPS per MHz allowing the system
designer to optimize power consumption versus processing speed.
The AVR core combines a rich instruction set with 32 general purpose working registers.
All the 32 registers are directly connected to the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), allowing
two independent registers to be accessed in one single instruction executed in one clock
cycle. The resulting architecture is more code efficient while achieving throughputs up to
ten times faster than conventional CISC microcontrollers. The ATtiny26(L) has a high
precision ADC with up to 11 single ended channels and 8 differential channels. Seven
differential channels have an optional gain of 20x. Four out of the seven differential
channels, which have the optional gain, can be used at the same time. The ATtiny26(L)
also has a high frequency 8-bit PWM module with two independent outputs. Two of the
PWM outputs have inverted non-overlapping output pins ideal for synchronous rectifica-
tion. The Universal Serial Interface of the ATtiny26(L) allows efficient software
implementation of TWI (Two-wire Serial Interface) or SM-bus interface. These features
allow for highly integrated battery charger and lighting ballast applications, low-end ther-
mostats, and firedetectors, among other applications.
The ATtiny26(L) provides 2K bytes of Flash, 128 bytes EEPROM, 128 bytes SRAM, up
to 16 general purpose I/O lines, 32 general purpose working registers, two 8-bit
Timer/Counters, one with PWM outputs, internal and external Oscillators, internal and
external interrupts, programmable Watchdog Timer, 11-channel, 10-bit Analog to Digital
Converter with two differential voltage input gain stages, and four software selectable
power saving modes. The Idle mode stops the CPU while allowing the Timer/Counters
and interrupt system to continue functioning. The ATtiny26(L) also has a dedicated ADC
Noise Reduction mode for reducing the noise in ADC conversion. In this sleep mode,
only the ADC is functioning. The Power-down mode saves the register contents but
freezes the oscillators, disabling all other chip functions until the next interrupt or hard-
ware reset. The Standby mode is the same as the Power-down mode, but external
oscillators are enabled. The wakeup or interrupt on pin change features enable the
ATtiny26(L) to be highly responsive to external events, still featuring the lowest power
consumption while in the Power-down mode.
The device is manufactured using Atmel’s high density non-volatile memory technology.
By combining an enhanced RISC 8-bit CPU with Flash on a monolithic chip, the
ATtiny26(L) is a powerful microcontroller that provides a highly flexible and cost effec-
tive solution to many embedded control applications.
The ATtiny26(L) AVR is supported with a full suite of program and system development
tools including: Macro assemblers, program debugger/simulators, In-circuit emulators,
and evaluation kits.
