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This short tutorial will show you how to setup a breadboard with an Atmel AVR microcontroller to be programmed using In System Programming (ISP). This allows you to program and re-program your chip whilst in your own circuit, without the need to be constantly removing it and placing it in a dedicated programmer.
You will need an ISP compatible programmer. These typically plug into the parallel port of your computer and have a 10 Pin IDC connector like the one shown below. [via]
AVR In circuit programming or ISP - [Link]
This is versatile development board for AVR microcontrollers ATmega48/88/168. It is good for testing and debugging embedded programs. It has many built-in peripheries connected to microcontroller so you can use them without soldering. ATmega microcontrollers are produced by ATMEL and they include a lot of features: I/O, Timers, PWM generators, ADC, RS232, TWI, SPI, Analog Comparator, Oscillator, EEPROM These microcontrollers are very versatile, easy to program and easy to use. This is the reason why I like these microcontrollers and why I decided to make development board for them.
ATmega48/88/168 Development Board - [Link]
ATMEL Microcontrollers can be programmed with ISP(In-System Programming) which helps to develop your applications because you don’t need to insert/remove the microcontroller. This is an ISP module for ATMEL Microcontroller that supports ISP such AT89SXXXX, AVR families etc. It Requires no power supply because it uses power supply from target board. This circuit needs only 10 resistors, 1 IC, 1 Capacitor,1 R-Pack.PCB size 1.6 X 4.1 cm. and Plated-Through-Hole type. [via]
ATMEL ISP Module - [Link]
Bernie writes: The PIC12F675 looked like a good match for this project. The pair of 10k resistors on GP0 and GP1 are to allow in-circuit programming via a protoclip. RS-232 levels are generated by robbing the negative voltage from the computers transmit line (which is not otherwise used here), and creating usable signal levels from the device to the computer. For schematics and source codes visit the projects page. [via]
PIC12F675 Magnetic Card Reader - [Link]
CodeLock is an AVR based electronic combination lock it is realised with Atmel AVR microcontroller AT90S2313 or ATtiny2313.This project used for access control. Program in hex code is 2 kB long. User code is consisted of 1 to 4 digits. If you buy the chip than user code is consisted of 1 to 8 digits. If the code is entered in the correct sequence, then after 1 second the relay and the electric striker (in the door) switch on for 1 second and then switch off again. User code can be changed via 3×4 matrix keypad. [via]
AVR tiny code lock - [Link]
This project devised by two Cornell students in 2003,they wrote: For this endeavour, we first built an input stage that will amplify the input signal, as well as bias it to 2.5V (since the ADC can only sample positive signals). The ADC (MAX1111) is controlled by the microprocessor (Mega 32) using the SPI interface which was much easier than manually configuring a port to interface with the ADC(believe me, we tried that). We set the Mega 32 to sample the input at about 12 KHz which is fast enough to meet the Nyquist requirement for analog to digital sampling. The digital effects were done using by manipulating the input (which will be discussed in the Design page) and the output is passed to a R-2R DAC to a output amplifier stage and finally, to the speaker. [via]
AVR Sound Effects Processor - [Link]
It seems that ATMEL do not want to limit the AVR branch with 20MIPS AVR microcontrollers. Recently they introduced new AVR microcontroller family – XMEGA – which is still based on AVR core but has a higher performance along with low power feature. AVR microcontrollers are really optimal where high performance is needed with relatively low code size. Probably XMEGA microcontrollers will fill the gap between standard AVRs and AVR32 microcontrollers.
Better performance with AVR XMEGA microcontrollers - [Link]
If you want to run simple webserver on embedded platform and have plenty of controllable interfaces you should consider on building or purchasing etherrape – AVR enabled Ethernet board.
This fancy board almost doesn’t have SMD elements and can be soldered by anyone with moderate soldering skills. Despite the fact that Atmega644 is interfaced with ENC28J60 Stand-alone Ethernet Controller with SPI connectivity, it also has a list of other valuable built in interfaces:
- Ethernet and TCP/IP
- Simple webserver;
- Linux command line tool;
- RS232;
- RS485/422 (half- /fullduplex);
- Dallas 1wire bus;
- Infra-red Receiver and Transmitter for RC5 Codec;
- MCA-25 Handy-Camera with VGA resolution can be attached (approx 10 Euro on ebay), not yet supported by firmware;
- 2MB Data-Flash memory;
- I2C;
- SPI.
Lots of great thing can be done with all these board abilities including webserver, Ethernet converter to RS232, RS485, 1-wire, infra-red, I2C, SPI interfaces. So it can serve as remotely controlled platform or data acquisition board where all readings can be seen on web screen. Project files and firmware can be downloaded from project page. [via]
AVR based multipurpose ethernet board - [Link]
Here is what the author is saying about Etherrape:
With this project, we’ll be creating hard- and software for enabling ethernet on an Atmel microcontroller. fd0 first built a prototype of it on lochraster and then made a fully-featured PCB afterwards, which will be sold as a construction set later on. Everyone with moderate soldering skills will be able to build this device. Only two SMD-devices are used (One is optional – And yes, that’s a feature!).
At first we only had the design-target to create an ethernet-enabled microcontroller platform. But then we thought of all the great things that could be done with such a device and therefore added a lot of different interfaces and hardware. Today, the following features are either built-in or easily available:
- Ethernet and TCP/IP
- Simple webserver
- Linux command line tool
- RS232
- RS485/422 (half- /fullduplex)
- Dalls 1wire bus
- Infrared Receiver and Transmitter for RC5 Codec, firmware extension necessary for other codecs
- MCA-25 Handy-Camera with VGA resolution can be attached (approx 10 Euro on ebay), not yet supported by firmware
- 2MB Data-Flash memory
- I2C
- SPI
Extensions:
ELV (www.elv.de) and Conrad (www.conrad.de) offer RF-Controlled devices like powerswitches, dimmers, movement detectors, temperature-sensors and many more. All these devices belong to the FS20 series, which ensures ineropability. By attaching RF Modules to the etherrape (sender and/or receiver module), it becomes a fully fledged member of the FS20-system an can control all devices.
Housing:
We offer a housing with a fully prepared front panel (see pictures below).
The housing offers space for an additional 80×100mm PCB to accomodate your selfmade extensions.
Etherrape – ethernet enabled Atmel microcontroller project – [Link]
The new PIC18F2550 Project Board was designed as the development platform for student projects.
The board features:
- MCU: PIC18F2550 with external xtal
- ADC: one channel 0-2.5V sigma-delta converter, Linear Technology LTC2400/LTC2420
- 6-channal 10-bit ADC 0-5V
- Display: Two connectors for text LCD or GLCD
- USB: onchip USB port with type B connector
- Power supply: onboard low dropout regulator, rechargeable battery
- Code programming: 10-pin header for In Circuit Loader
The board platform is suitable for developing the microcontroller based instrumentation. Students may build the signal conditioning board, plugs it to PIC project board, develops the code and programs it with loader cable easily. [via]
PIC18F2550 Project Board - [Link]
