AVR-Chat

Hi All,

I have been reviewing the archives to get an idea of a simple way to 
program some chips.

As it is now, I am just getting started and an not looking for the 
most universal, but the best cheap unit, even if it limits my chip 
selections.

I'm hoping there is some simple programmer that can be assembeled by 
the average parts bin we typically have.  (some scattered on the 
bench, others still in boards yet to be sacrificed and others in 
those neat little baggies from the suppliers) 

As you probably know, I'm doing a little reading on the C language 
and have considdered dabbling with FastAVR or Basicom as a way to get 
things happening faster.

From the little that I could really understand about programmers, 
there are serial, parallel and USB, with USB being rare.

Then there is ISP which is fine with me as I would rather make a 
board for testing than to move chips around.

But to get started, I'm hoping to put together a simple board with a 
uC a couple outputs and a couple inputs and a serial cable for use 
with I2C or SPI as the case may be.

At this point, I don't need to worry about programming any other 
chips like e-proms or the like.

Any suggestions ?

Dave

My recommendation is to get a STK500.  They're about $80 at DigiKey 
(http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T042/0294.pdf).  It supports a wide 
variety of chips and serves as a simple test bed (lights, switches, 
etc.).  Its ISP programmer can also be used to program your AVR in 
its circuit simply by connecting a 6-conductor cable between the 
STK500 and your board.

Another option is to build a simple serial programmer.  I have built 
one that uses an AT90S2313 and supports the AVR-910 protocol.  Some 
examples of this type may be found here:

http://www.serasidis.gr/circuits/avr_isp/avr_isp.htm
http://www.peg.si/electro/avrprog.html


I built the one using the 2313 and it works well.  However, the 910 
protocol is slower (perhaps 5x) than that used by the STK500 so if 
you're planning to program the larger devices this may be an issue.

The parallel interface is perhaps the simplest.  I have not built one 
but I have read a lot about them.  The software most often mentioned 
is PonyProg.  You can read about it and see the interface schematic 
here:

http://www.lancos.com/prog.html

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Mucha" <dave_mucha@y...> wrote:

> ... simple way to program some chips.
> ... best cheap unit, even if it limits
> my chip selections ...

I get the impression that low cost is important to you, so the STK500 
might not be the answer you're looking for. Even so, I think you 
should consider getting a programmer ready-made rather than making 
one yourself. This would avoid a chicken/egg problem if you find you 
can't program your first actual circuit. The Atmel Web site lists 
third-party tools. Or, take a look at AVR-PG1B here:
http://www.sparkfun.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cart=57355&cat=4&

Graham.

>
>The parallel interface is perhaps the simplest.  I have not built one 
>but I have read a lot about them.  The software most often mentioned 
>is PonyProg.  You can read about it and see the interface schematic 
>here:


The BA1FB programmer is very nice, I use it a lot.
Other than that, it's an AVRISP, or STK-500

Hi Dave,
Checkout http://www.futurlec.com/ATDevBoard.shtml
I bought my AT90S2313 developement board from them for $19.90 which
will allow you to connect a LCD display and other things to it. It
comes with a CD and cable. This will only flash the Atmel AT90S2313
but for the price it is well worth it.

Regards,
Sal Brisindi
http://www.numitron.com


--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Mucha" <dave_mucha@y...> 
wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
> I have been reviewing the archives to get an idea of a simple way 
to 
> program some chips.
> 
> As it is now, I am just getting started and an not looking for the 
> most universal, but the best cheap unit, even if it limits my chip 
> selections.
> 
> I'm hoping there is some simple programmer that can be assembeled 
by 
> the average parts bin we typically have.  (some scattered on the 
> bench, others still in boards yet to be sacrificed and others in 
> those neat little baggies from the suppliers) 
> 
> As you probably know, I'm doing a little reading on the C language 
> and have considdered dabbling with FastAVR or Basicom as a way to 
get 
> things happening faster.
> 
> From the little that I could really understand about programmers, 
> there are serial, parallel and USB, with USB being rare.
> 
> Then there is ISP which is fine with me as I would rather make a 
> board for testing than to move chips around.
> 
> But to get started, I'm hoping to put together a simple board with 
a 

> uC a couple outputs and a couple inputs and a serial cable for use 
> with I2C or SPI as the case may be.
> 
> At this point, I don't need to worry about programming any other 
> chips like e-proms or the like.
> 
> Any suggestions ?
> 
> Dave

What is your development environment?  That might make a big difference on
which programmer to use.  Avrdude, which comes with the WinAvr (GCC C
compiler) works with a variety of programmers including some "no parts" ones
like the SAMPLE programmer I supply with my ARC boards (www.barello.net/ARC)
You can see the schematic in the users guide.  If you want you can dispense
with the resistors and just use an old LPT cable, cut & the proper wires
brought out to your programming header.  Works great.  PC only.

Oh, yeah, the SAMPLE programmer is what BASCOM uses...  Pretty slick.  I
recommend it for getting started.  It makes stuff like serial I/O and LCD
and one wire stuff very easy.

Cheers!

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Mucha

Hi All,

I have been reviewing the archives to get an idea of a simple way to
program some chips.

As it is now, I am just getting started and an not looking for the
most universal, but the best cheap unit, even if it limits my chip
selections.

I'm hoping there is some simple programmer that can be assembeled by
the average parts bin we typically have.  (some scattered on the
bench, others still in boards yet to be sacrificed and others in
those neat little baggies from the suppliers)

As you probably know, I'm doing a little reading on the C language
and have considdered dabbling with FastAVR or Basicom as a way to get
things happening faster.

>From the little that I could really understand about programmers,
there are serial, parallel and USB, with USB being rare.

Then there is ISP which is fine with me as I would rather make a
board for testing than to move chips around.

But to get started, I'm hoping to put together a simple board with a
uC a couple outputs and a couple inputs and a serial cable for use
with I2C or SPI as the case may be.

At this point, I don't need to worry about programming any other
chips like e-proms or the like.

Any suggestions ?

Dave







Yahoo! Groups Links

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Sal Brisindi" <tubeman59@y...> 
wrote:
> Hi Dave,
> Checkout http://www.futurlec.com/ATDevBoard.shtml
> I bought my AT90S2313 developement board from them for $19.90 which
> will allow you to connect a LCD display and other things to it. It
> comes with a CD and cable. This will only flash the Atmel AT90S2313
> but for the price it is well worth it.
> 
> Regards,
> Sal Brisindi
> http://www.numitron.com
> 
> 

Hi Sal,

Thanks !

Seems Fururlec has lots more than just a few boards.  
I am not sure if they are kits or fully stuffed boards, but will find 
out tomarrow.

They have a few controller boards, for the Atmel line, they offer 
these boards.

ATMega Controller 
AT89C52 Controller

Both seem to offer a great starting place as does the development 
board.

Thanks for the link !

Dave

On Jul 27, 2004, at 8:21 PM, Larry Barello wrote:

> What is your development environment?  That might make a big 
> difference on
> which programmer to use.  Avrdude, which comes with the WinAvr (GCC C
> compiler) works with a variety of programmers including some "no 
> parts" ones
> like the SAMPLE programmer I supply with my ARC boards 
> (www.barello.net/ARC)
> You can see the schematic in the users guide.  If you want you can 
> dispense
> with the resistors and just use an old LPT cable, cut & the proper 
> wires
> brought out to your programming header.  Works great.  PC only.
>

I finally retrieved my Xilinx parallel JTAG cable (DL5?) from work.  I 
seem to recall that this cable worked with one of the available 
packages.  Any suggestions on what software will work with it?

TIA,
Mike

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Mucha" <dave_mucha@y...> wrote:
> --- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Sal Brisindi" <tubeman59@y...> 
> wrote:
> > Hi Dave,
> > Checkout http://www.futurlec.com/ATDevBoard.shtml
> > I bought my AT90S2313 developement board from them for $19.90 
which
> > will allow you to connect a LCD display and other things to it. It
> > comes with a CD and cable. This will only flash the Atmel 
AT90S2313
> > but for the price it is well worth it.
> > 
> > Regards,
> > Sal Brisindi
> > http://www.numitron.com
> > 
> > 
> 
> Hi Sal,
> 
> Thanks !
> 
> Seems Fururlec has lots more than just a few boards.  
> I am not sure if they are kits or fully stuffed boards, but will 
find 
> out tomarrow.
> 
> They have a few controller boards, for the Atmel line, they offer 
> these boards.
> 
> ATMega Controller 
> AT89C52 Controller
> 
> Both seem to offer a great starting place as does the development 
> board.
> 
> Thanks for the link !
> 
> Dave

Hi Dave,
I do know the '2313' board is not a kit but fully assembled. Let me 
know how make out.

Regards,
Sal

On Tue, 27 Jul 2004, David VanHorn wrote:

> The BA1FB programmer is very nice, I use it a lot.
> Other than that, it's an AVRISP, or STK-500

Can STK500 program ATTiny11?

Rodrigo

At 09:12 PM 7/28/2004, Rodrigo Feher wrote:

>On Tue, 27 Jul 2004, David VanHorn wrote:
>
>> The BA1FB programmer is very nice, I use it a lot.
>> Other than that, it's an AVRISP, or STK-500
>
>Can STK500 program ATTiny11?

Out of circuit only,  the T11 is high voltage only.