Software & Firmware

Microcontroller Firmware

The firmware is written for the ATmega328P. It handles:

• Reading analog values (voltage, current, temperature)
• Controlling DAC for setting current levels
• User interaction through encoder, keypad, and LCD
• Switching between multiple operation modes
• Communication with PC via USB-UART (CH340)

Operating Modes

1. Constant Current – Maintains fixed current regardless of input voltage.
2. Constant Power – Adjusts current dynamically to maintain fixed power.
3. Constant Resistance – Simulates a fixed resistance load.
4. Step Response – Alternates between two current values to test power supply response.
5. Battery Test – Discharges a battery until a cutoff voltage and calculates capacity.

PC Application

Written in C++ with Qt, the application allows:

• Starting/stopping the load
• Setting current and cutoff voltage
• Monitoring voltage, current, and battery capacity
• Saving graphs as JPG or CSV
• Multi-language UI: English, Polish, German

Communication with the load is via USB using a serial port.