Microchip's new ATtiny43U is a microcontroller that needs only one single cell battery as a power source. The chip has an on-chip boost converter that up-converts a battery voltage, which is typically around 1.5V, to 3V for the AVR and its peripherals and I/O pins. Applications that normally require two or more batteries can now operate from one battery only. This makes products much lighter and smaller, as a battery often times is the bulkiest component in portable electronics. In applications which already have only one battery as power source, a separate DC-DC converter can now be eliminated. This all reduces the design complexity and the systems cost. ATtiny43U is capable of driving high current loads, like LEDs and motors directly from its I/O pins. Battery applications spend most of their time in power down mode. Because ATtiny43U uses Microchip's picoPower technology, a typical 1.2 volt triple A NiMH battery has enough energy for many years of shelf life.