DigiSpark mini Arduino ATtiny85 module, commissioning, test

TechEkspert 12579 32

TL;DR

DigiSpark is a miniature Arduino-compatible module built around the ATtiny85, with USB handled in firmware instead of a USB-UART converter.
It includes a 5V stabilizer and exposes pins P0–P5, while setup requires adding the Digistump board URL, installing Digistump AVR Boards, and loading the driver.
The module offers 8kB flash memory, with 2kB occupied by the bootloader, and the DigiScope example reads analog input on P2 over a 0–4.75 V range.
The board worked with DigiUSB tools to show a 1Hz waveform and can emulate a keyboard, mouse, joystick, or serial port, but it has few pins and awkward breadboard compatibility.

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#31 18429878 27 Jan 2020 10:19

pier pier

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Post #31
18429878 27 Jan 2020 10:19

kys wrote:
Thanks for the answers. In this case, the module will be best disconnected from the system with goldpin connectors when it will need to be programmed

Unnecessary. Separate the power supply of the system with the power supply from the USB diode and you are ready to go.
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#32 18765534 17 Jun 2020 21:35

m7marek m7marek

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18765534 17 Jun 2020 21:35

I don't know what I'm doing wrong with my unearthed clone. I needed to use the PB4 port, ADC2 actually. I know that there is also a USB connected via the 22R and the 3V6 diode, but I wanted to read the voltage
#33 21851432 01 Mar 2026 10:48

Hektar Zahle.r Hektar Zahle.r

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Post #33
21851432 01 Mar 2026 10:48

Hello colleagues. Old topic, but if anyone is still using this, I wanted to inform colleagues that the link from the first post (to paste in the Arduino IDE preferences to see the Digispark boards) is no longer valid and you now need to use the link below:

https://github.com/SpenceKonde/ATTinyCore

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Topic summary

✨ The discussion concerns the DigiSpark mini Arduino-compatible board based on the ATtiny85, its USB software implementation, Arduino IDE setup, driver installation, and practical commissioning issues. Participants report frequent problems with device detection and uploading programs, especially on Windows 10, and note that replacing the 3.3 V zener diodes can improve recognition. It is explained that the bootloader only briefly emulates the USB device at startup, so programming often requires timing, disconnecting Rx/Tx lines, or using an external SPI programmer such as USBASP. The board’s limitations are debated, including the small number of GPIO pins, shared USB/ADC functions, AREF usage, and the 3.6 V USB line voltage limit. Later comments mention that the original Arduino IDE package URL is no longer valid and that ATTinyCore should be used instead.
Summary generated by AI based on the discussion content.

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DigiSpark mini Arduino ATtiny85 module, commissioning, test

FAQ

TL;DR: DigiSpark offers 8 kB flash (2 kB bootloader) in a 26 × 18 mm board [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17330915]; "After replacing the Zener diodes the problem is gone" [Elektroda, RigelInOrion, post #17331317] This FAQ streamlines drivers, Windows 10, programming tricks, and troubleshooting.

Why it matters: A two-euro board can emulate USB HID, sense analog signals and run in minutes—if you know the quirks.

Quick Facts

• MCU: ATtiny85, 8 kB flash, 512 B SRAM, 6 GPIO/PWM/ADC lines [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17330915] • USB: V-USB software stack, low-speed 1.5 Mbit/s, shared on P3/P4 [V-USB Factsheet] • Power: On-board 5 V LDO; analog input range 0–4.75 V on P2 [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17330915] • Driver package: Digistump.Drivers v1.6.7 for Win7-10 [Digistump, 2019] • Street price: US $1.8–2.5 per clone module [AliExpress listing, 2023]

How do I add DigiSpark support to the Arduino IDE?

Open File → Preferences → Additional Board URLs and paste http://digistump.com/package_digistump_index.json 2. Go to Tools → Board → Boards Manager, search “Digistump AVR Boards” and install. 3. Pick Tools → Board → Digispark (16.5 MHz) [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17330915]

What is the correct upload procedure?

Compile first, click Upload, then plug the board in when the IDE shows “Plug in device”. The bootloader listens for ~5 s, then runs the previous sketch, so timing matters [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17330915]

Does DigiSpark run under Windows 10, and how do I install drivers?

Yes. Unzip Digistump.Drivers 1.6.7, right-click DPInst64.exe (or 32-bit) and install. Plug the board only after installation; Windows then enumerates it as “Digispark Bootloader” [Digistump, 2019].

My PC doesn’t detect the board—what’s the fix?

Replace the two 3 V 6 Zener diodes with 3 V 3 parts; over-3.6 V on USB D+⁄D– prevents enumeration [Elektroda, RigelInOrion, post #17331317] "Voltage on the USB lines must not exceed 3.6 V" [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17332865]

Can I program the board while it is wired into my system?

Yes. Ensure the external 5 V rail is isolated with a diode so USB can power the module during upload, and keep P3/P4 free of other loads during the short boot phase [Elektroda, pier, post #18429878]

What are typical applications of a Digispark?

Common uses include USB Rubber-Ducky-style keyboards, capacitive touch buttons, WS2812 LED drivers, miniature oscilloscope (DigiScope example), water-level sensors and RS-485 basement telemetry [Elektroda, TechEkspert, #17330915; oskar777, #17331218].

How do I read an analog signal on P2?

Load the Arduino example File → Examples → DigisparkUSB → DigiScope. Feed 0–4.75 V into P2; view live data with digiscope.exe from the DigisparkExamplePrograms repo [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17330915]

Can the board act as a USB keyboard or mouse?

Yes. The V-USB stack lets sketches enumerate as HID. Example: emulate a keyboard to send shortcuts; no driver needed on host PCs because HID is class-compliant [Elektroda, RigelInOrion, post #17332863]

Are there alternatives with more pins or on-chip USB?

Microchip’s ATtiny416-XNano adds on-board debugger, UART-USB bridge and 18 GPIOs [Elektroda, leonow32, post #17332684] For 32-bit, an STM32F103 “Blue Pill” gives 37 GPIOs and 64 kB flash for ~US $1.8 [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17332865]

How can I flash firmware without the bootloader?

Use a standard 6-pin ISP header: connect MOSI, MISO, SCK, RESET, VCC, GND to a USBasp or AVR-ISP MKII. This frees the 2 kB bootloader space, giving the full 8 kB and removes the 5-second start delay [Elektroda, RigelInOrion, post #17332863]

What’s the recommended way to place remote sensors like in a cellar?

Add an RS-485 transceiver (e.g., MAX485) on P0/P1. Two-wire twisted pair lets you span 1200 m while rejecting noise—ideal between basement sensors and upstairs controller [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17332528]

What limits should I know about the software USB implementation?

V-USB is low-speed only, maximum 1.5 Mbit/s and one transaction per USB frame. Isochronous and high-bandwidth endpoints are unavailable. CPU spends ~10 % time in USB interrupt service at 16.5 MHz, reducing real-time performance [V-USB Factsheet].

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