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Flash programmer for ATmega 168A

Former Member

Hello ! I'm going to buy this book http://amzn.com/1449355781 and start to learn programming ATmega 168A in C. In the books component list i found some alternatives for an ISP programmer which you need to programm your microchip. Here are some:

 

1.An Arduino and six wires makes a totally workable flash programmer.        

 

- An original arduino is quite expensive but affordable. Will a fake arduino copy work as a Flash programmer ?

 

 

2.USBTinyISP                                                                                                  

 

- I don't have a soldering iron and not planning to get one for a while.

 

 

3.USBasp, from BaiTe in China                                                                       

 

-In the book it says that i need to flash the firmware into the AVR in the programmer. I don't really know what it means.

 

 

4.USBTiny, tiny version from ehajo.de                                                             

 

- Same as previous option

 

 

5.A homemade programming spider, which plugs into a breadboard around the AVR chip and connects up the programming, power, and reset pins the right way every time. If you’re at all handy with a soldering iron and perfboard, you should make one of these.                    

                                                                                                                        

- Again, i don't have a soldering iron.

 

 

 

I don't know what option to choose. Seems like options 2 and 5 won't work for me att all since i don't have a soldering iron. Options 3 and 4 are not completely clear. Option 1 is the most expensive one but easyest, may be a fake arduino copy would work as a Flash programmer ? I don't know. I would be happy if someone could educate me at this stuff with ISP programmers.

Parents

  • Yes, you can use it to either upload the boot loader or to program a sketch directly onto the ATmega.

    You need to use the 'tools -> upload using programmer' option in the Arduino IDE however.

     

    There may be a little confusion over the Arduino ISP SJVCC option. On mine it already had a solder bridge applied (same as shown in the Amazon photo) which means that it can supply power to the target IC for programming. Without this bridge then you would have to either power the target IC on the breadboard or be creative and carefully attach a small clip to the ISP device.

     

    You will need 6 jumper wires to connect the ISP header to the breadboard and a some more to apply power and ground to the appropriate pins on the ATmega.

     

    Do a search for the Arduino ICSP pin out and download the data sheet for the ATmega so as you know which pins to connect to. Pin one of the ICSP jumper in the ISP is marked with a white dot.

     

    Basically you are doing the same as this:

    https://www.arduino.cc/en/uploads/Tutorial/SimpleBreadboardAVR.png

    except that the Arduino ISP replaces the Arduino Uno shown in the picture.

     

    You will need a USB to microUSB cable to connect to the ISP programmer to the host PC.

Reply

  • Yes, you can use it to either upload the boot loader or to program a sketch directly onto the ATmega.

    You need to use the 'tools -> upload using programmer' option in the Arduino IDE however.

     

    There may be a little confusion over the Arduino ISP SJVCC option. On mine it already had a solder bridge applied (same as shown in the Amazon photo) which means that it can supply power to the target IC for programming. Without this bridge then you would have to either power the target IC on the breadboard or be creative and carefully attach a small clip to the ISP device.

     

    You will need 6 jumper wires to connect the ISP header to the breadboard and a some more to apply power and ground to the appropriate pins on the ATmega.

     

    Do a search for the Arduino ICSP pin out and download the data sheet for the ATmega so as you know which pins to connect to. Pin one of the ICSP jumper in the ISP is marked with a white dot.

     

    Basically you are doing the same as this:

    https://www.arduino.cc/en/uploads/Tutorial/SimpleBreadboardAVR.png

    except that the Arduino ISP replaces the Arduino Uno shown in the picture.

     

    You will need a USB to microUSB cable to connect to the ISP programmer to the host PC.

Children