AVR-Chat

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, Dave VanHorn <dvanhorn@d...> wrote:

> I have some of the Olimex units,
> they are just as good as the Atmel
> ones apparently. :)

Well, I originally invented the AVR ICE-Cube because I was totally 
disgusted with the poor quality of the Olimex JTAG ICE I bought. I 
think some problems may now have been solved, such as the procedure for 
loading in the Atmel software and operation below 4.5 volts, but I 
doubt that the PCB layout has been improved and that was very bad.

Regarding putting the circuitry of a JTAG interface directly on Brian's 
MAVRIC, your cost estimate is pretty good. I think it depends what 
people do with MAVRICs. If they just develop software, your idea is a 
good one. If the MAVRIC becomes part of the final system, then it's not 
so good. I don't know why a serious user would balk at $39.95 for a 
JTAG interface, though.

On the other hand, my personal circumstances have changed so that I 
don't need the income from ECROS Technology any more. I'm only in it 
now out of loyalty to the AVR community and it's increasingly hard to 
find the time to make, test and ship ICE-Cubes. If Brian wanted to put 
a JTAG interface on a MAVRIC I would give him the ICE-Cube design, 
including the bootloader (which isn't as straightforward as people like 
to think). If I were Brian, though, I would "stick to my knitting" if I 
knew my customers could pick up a JTAG interface for less than forty 
bucks.

Graham.