AVR-Chat

Hey guys,

Thanks again for the feedback. I really want to design something from
the ground up. I've used several canned controller boards before and
I'd like to start with a chip and build my own from there.

Both the STK500 and dragon can be used as ISP programmers correct?

I was aware of the parallel port/serial port "homebrew" programmers
but the impression I was given on various websites is that these were
slow in comparison with the AVRISP or dragon/stk programmers. Or is
that incorrect?

It seems then that a dragon (plus a ZIF socket) and a few DIP chips
would be a good way to get my feet wet.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Philip


On Wed, Feb 27, 2008 at 6:50 AM, Graham Davies <Yahoo37849@ecrostech.com> wrote:
> --- 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.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>