AVR-Chat

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Larry Barello" <yahoo@b...> wrote:

> Doesn't Olemex already sell
> the clone, in a nice package
> for $40 dollars or so?

Well, it depends what you mean by "nice". Have you read the Olimex 
document describing how to load the ICE software from AVR Studio?  It 
took me a couple of hours.  Also, the verification step fails.  You 
can load up my version in less than a minute and it verifies 
properly. The Olimex always reads the target voltage as 5.0 volts; my 
version actually measures it. Next, and this may be good or bad 
depending on your needs, my version is a tiny board that perches on 
the JTAG connector and needs no desk space. A cable runs directly to 
the DB9 that plugs into the PC. Finally, my version uses proper EMI 
design practices including an almost-complete ground plane and high 
quality isolation from the target power supply so that noise from the 
RS232 driver cannot get back to you. The Olimex VCC is directly 
connected to your target, has only one ceramic decoupling capacitor 
and makes no attempt at decent PCB design.

I think the problems I have solved here also justify my price over 
the roll-your-own approach based on stuff published on the Web.

Regarding embedding the JTAG-ICE in the product, I don't know why you 
would spend even the time to place and route the parts let alone bear 
the cost of the extra PCB area for the life of the product.  It may 
make sense to some, but I would think most commercial users would be 
happier with a separate, pre-tested device.

Thanks to everyone for the discussion.

Graham.