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The LilyPad spec page says:

Input Voltage   2.7-5.5 V

I understand that an input voltage greater than 5.5 V would damage the device, but what if it's below 2.7 V? Will it just be unable to accurately detect it?

Samir Unni
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1 Answers1

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The data sheet linked in the Lilypad article for the Atmel AVR microcontroller used specifies that the Atmega 168V (low powered Atmega168) cannot run under voltages of 1.8V. If done so, the internal brownout detection (possibly an analogue comparator where Vin < Vbrownout) is turned on and may trigger a reset signal for the duration of the dip in voltage, which would be always in the case of low voltage supply.

You may possibly be able to go under the 2.7V to >1.8V with success, Red LEDs should work at those voltages too. I am unsure why they rated its lowest at 2.7 as there is no diode voltage drop or anything significant at first glance.

I understand that an input voltage greater than 5.5 V would damage the device,

Yes, normally a voltage regulator is used to regulate any voltage above nominal down to nominal, for example 5 or 3.3V. These regulators require a higher voltage than output to work (often Vout+100mVish for low dropout, Vout+1V or more for other linear.)

This regulator is left out all together according to the Lilypad's schematic as to allow lower voltage sources such as coin cells to be used, at the tradeoff of low protection from higher voltages.

Tom Paris
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  • According to page 305 of the ATmega168 datasheet, the safe operating area for the ATmega48V/88V/168V is 1.8-5.5 V, whereas for the ATmega48/88/168, it's 2.7-5.5 V. Perhaps they just made a mistake on the webpage. – Samir Unni Feb 22 '12 at 15:44
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    @aberration, I've seen a lot of mistakes in schematics regarding open source hardware such as this so it could be. Feel free to report if it works in your answer (if you attempt) or accept this answer if it has been of use to your original question. – Tom Paris Feb 22 '12 at 19:54