AVR-Chat

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Philip Hahn" <everphilski@...> wrote:

> ... a ... "starter kit" could
> be had with just a few AVR's, a
> ISP programmer and some voltage
> regulators, correct?

Sure, if this is the way you want to go.  So, given that this is all 
for fun and that you're on a budget, this is what I'd suggest:  Find an 
inexpensive ISP programmer that will connect to the computer you'll be 
using as a host (i.e. avoid a parallel port programmer if you don't 
have a parallel port, etc.).  Check back here for opinions on your 
choice.  You want to end up with something that someone else can vouch 
for.  (I don't have ISP programmers, so I can't be hawking my stuff 
here.)  If you don't spend much, it won't be painful to upgrade to a 
debugger later on if you decide to.

The next step would be to select your target microcontroller.  If you 
want to program in C++, I think you're right you should get one with as 
much memory as possible.  Unfortunately, most of those are surface 
mount, so to work with a solderless breadboard you'll either have to 
compromise a bit or have someone mount an SMD on an adapter for you.  
(Or, back off from this and get one of the made-up development boards 
that were suggested, such as the MAVRIC.)  From data sheets I have on 
hand, I see that the ATmega664 has 64 KiB of program memory and 4 KiB 
of data SRAM and is available in 40-pin DIP.  It is not supported by 
the AVR Dragon, however.  The ATmega32 is, but has only half the 
memory.  Maybe someone else will come in with suggestions on how much 
memory you will need and what target to choose.  Could you say 
something on whether you think you might want to upgrade to a 
debugger?  I am personally heavily in favor of debuggers and this warps 
my understanding of what other people want.

> Graham, you mention a $52 programmer/debugger ...

The AVR Dragon.  Someone else had already give the price and I'd just 
read the entire thread of posts so I didn't repeat it, but I should 
have done so for clarity.

Graham.

Full disclosure - I don't make the MAVRIC, but there is a link from 
that Web site back to mine.