garygid
Well-known member
-------------- Software --------------
The two main (free) software choices are:
1. AVR Studio 5 from http://www.Atmel.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (you need to Register to download it).
I have installed this, but not yet figured out how to use it to flash anything.
2. WinAVR (an open source project, I believe) that contains AVRdude for flashing the ".hex" file. I am using this, and it sems to work well.
------------- mini USB AVR-JTAG -------------
This seems to be a good (maybe even a "better") solution.
Usually available on eBay, mostly from Hong Kong or China.
I bought from this seller "seller25812", and just got and tested this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260853683073" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... bid $5 (plus $10 S&H)
or, a Buy-it-Now at
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250597883758" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .. for $17 (free S&H)
However, there appears to be one source in the USA, in CA. They are a bit more expensive (maybe $26 instead of $17), but their delivery is usually a lot quicker. I also bought from them.
This programmer attaches directly to a USB port, and it POWERS the board being programmed.
------------- SparkFun PGM-00012 -------------
From http://www.SparkFun.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for about $60, this JTAG programmer is connected via a USB A to B cable (not included). I have not tried it, but another member has ordered it, and will try it on the AVR-CAN board. This appears to have the right specs, so it SHOULD work, I think.
------------- AVR-Dragon --------------
I bought an AVR-Dragon (as I recall, for around $60 from http://www.Atmel.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false and found that it works well in its JTAG mode with the AVRdude software in Windows. However, it apparently REQUIRES use/help of the "libusb" software before AVRdude will recognize it.
In using AVRdude (AFTER connecting AVR-Dragon to a USB port, letting Windows find and install a driver for it, AND using libusb), the command-line parm "dragon-jtag" is used to identify the device, and "usb" is used for the port. Works well.
------------- AVR-JTAG-ICE -----------------
The other programmer I bought (from ebay) is supposed to be an AVR-JTAG-ICE "clone/copy/compatible" device, connected to a serial Comm Port.
Even a USB to RS232 adapter is supposed to work, using a virtual Comm Port.
However, it turns out that not all USB-to-RS232 adapters are suitable.
With the "worse" adapter, AVRdude could not establish communication/sync
with this "jtag1" device.
However, using two different brands of "better" adapter, it works flawlessly.
------------- USB-to-RS232 ------------------
Guess which USB-to-RS232 adapter I have ten of! :lol:
Fortunately, these adapters seem to work OK when connected to the AVR-CAN
to do CAN-Capture into the PC. I will experiment more when I have time.
I will order more adapters from a different source to try and get a current
source of "better" adapters. More on that later when they arrive and I test them.
The two main (free) software choices are:
1. AVR Studio 5 from http://www.Atmel.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (you need to Register to download it).
I have installed this, but not yet figured out how to use it to flash anything.
2. WinAVR (an open source project, I believe) that contains AVRdude for flashing the ".hex" file. I am using this, and it sems to work well.
------------- mini USB AVR-JTAG -------------
This seems to be a good (maybe even a "better") solution.
Usually available on eBay, mostly from Hong Kong or China.
I bought from this seller "seller25812", and just got and tested this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260853683073" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... bid $5 (plus $10 S&H)
or, a Buy-it-Now at
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250597883758" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .. for $17 (free S&H)
However, there appears to be one source in the USA, in CA. They are a bit more expensive (maybe $26 instead of $17), but their delivery is usually a lot quicker. I also bought from them.
This programmer attaches directly to a USB port, and it POWERS the board being programmed.
------------- SparkFun PGM-00012 -------------
From http://www.SparkFun.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for about $60, this JTAG programmer is connected via a USB A to B cable (not included). I have not tried it, but another member has ordered it, and will try it on the AVR-CAN board. This appears to have the right specs, so it SHOULD work, I think.
------------- AVR-Dragon --------------
I bought an AVR-Dragon (as I recall, for around $60 from http://www.Atmel.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false and found that it works well in its JTAG mode with the AVRdude software in Windows. However, it apparently REQUIRES use/help of the "libusb" software before AVRdude will recognize it.
In using AVRdude (AFTER connecting AVR-Dragon to a USB port, letting Windows find and install a driver for it, AND using libusb), the command-line parm "dragon-jtag" is used to identify the device, and "usb" is used for the port. Works well.
------------- AVR-JTAG-ICE -----------------
The other programmer I bought (from ebay) is supposed to be an AVR-JTAG-ICE "clone/copy/compatible" device, connected to a serial Comm Port.
Even a USB to RS232 adapter is supposed to work, using a virtual Comm Port.
However, it turns out that not all USB-to-RS232 adapters are suitable.
With the "worse" adapter, AVRdude could not establish communication/sync
with this "jtag1" device.
However, using two different brands of "better" adapter, it works flawlessly.
------------- USB-to-RS232 ------------------
Guess which USB-to-RS232 adapter I have ten of! :lol:
Fortunately, these adapters seem to work OK when connected to the AVR-CAN
to do CAN-Capture into the PC. I will experiment more when I have time.
I will order more adapters from a different source to try and get a current
source of "better" adapters. More on that later when they arrive and I test them.