ISP for AVR - simple solution?

[René]

Presently I am ISP programming my various projects using the STK500,
which works well.

In the future I would like to program AVR chips in-circuit using a
dedicated piece of hardware, using the serial port - should work on
various windows machines, including my XP PC.

Here the confusion begins - Atmel does it using a dedicated processor
(as used on the STK500), but while googling I found several ckt's that
work without a cpu, just a buffer, or even no more than a few zeners
and resistors - but requiring more than just TX/RX.

These low part count solutions need dedictated SW, that mostly seem to
run under DOS.

If some body could shout me a valid combination of a simple RS232 -
ISP ckt + Windows / XP compatible SW to drive it (prog. hex file, set
fuses), I would be most grateful!

 

[Adam Braun]

If some body could shout me a valid combination of a simple RS232 -

ISP ckt + Windows / XP compatible SW to drive it (prog. hex file, set
fuses), I would be most grateful!

In the past, I have used the AVR-PG1B programmer from Olimex combined with
the PonyProg application to run it. This programmed hex files into the
device great, but I don't remember how well it handled the fuses on the
device (I already had them set through the STK board). I used version 1.17,
but it appears that there's a newer version in beta that looks as though it
supports many more devices.

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

Adam

 

[Claus Kühnel]

The megaAVRs have the possibility to download program code by serial
interface with the help of a bootloader. This way no programmer is needed.

Claus

www.ckuehnel.ch
www.ckskript.ch

 

[Steve Vellinga]

René,

Go to: http://home.wanadoo.nl/electro1/avr/progger.htm. There you can see
the schematics for a very simple programmer. Use the SP12 software mentioned
there. I use it, it works very well.

Steve

 

[Brian Dean]

Hi Rene,

If some body could shout me a valid combination of a simple RS232 -
ISP ckt + Windows / XP compatible SW to drive it (prog. hex file, set
fuses), I would be most grateful!

Take a look at Atmel App Note AVR910 which describes hardware and
software for a simple serial port programmer for AVR devices:

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/DOC0943.PDF

This programmer should work with popular programming software
including AVR Studio, AVRDUDE, UISP, etc.

The associated program file for this App Note can be found on the App
Note page, near the bottom. Look for the AVR910 App Note.

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/app_notes.asp?family_id=607

-Brian

 

[René]

Hi Rene,



Take a look at Atmel App Note AVR910 which describes hardware and
software for a simple serial port programmer for AVR devices:

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/DOC0943.PDF

This programmer should work with popular programming software
including AVR Studio, AVRDUDE, UISP, etc.

The associated program file for this App Note can be found on the App
Note page, near the bottom. Look for the AVR910 App Note.

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/app_notes.asp?family_id=607

-Brian

Thanks for all that responded to my query.

It seems that a simple HW solution comparative to the PIC "No Parts
Programmer" does not exist together with software of the caliber of
the Studio 4 ISP section (including fuse / lockbits management).

The AVR solution requires a AT90S1200 cpu, and is not really "NOPP".
But it is a proven and solid solution.

Also parallel port solution do not have my fancy due to compatability
issues (laptops), and the lack of robustness.

On one hand I wield the soldering iron in a professional fashion, so
building things inspires no fear - on the other hand, time is limited.
Perhaps I just purchase the Atmel ISP device as suggested by others.

If my conclusions require correction - please let me know!

 

[Brian Dean]

On one hand I wield the soldering iron in a professional fashion, so
building things inspires no fear - on the other hand, time is
limited. Perhaps I just purchase the Atmel ISP device as suggested
by others.

If my conclusions require correction - please let me know!

My personal opinion is that the AVRISP is hard to beat at only $30.
There are cheaper programmers out there, but not much cheaper aside
from those you build yourself. And the $30 gets you a known good
starting point whereas with a self-built programmer, if it doesn't
work right the first time there's the question of whether the problem
is with the programmer you just made, maybe the cable, maybe the
software running on the PC, etc, etc. IMHO, the $30 AVRISP is money
well spent.

-Brian