Your favorite programmer? (I don't konw which to buy)

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twist2b
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Posted by twist2b: Wed. Jul 1, 2009 - 03:25 AM
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Hi guys!!

I want to get started with Atmega. I took an, "Intro to Microprocessors" class and learned teh 8085. I know ASM really well, but I want to get into C and the AVR. I know I will have fun.

However, even though I know what I am getting into, I have never done usb programming... can anyone give me an idea of what is best.

Maybe just point me in the right direction. I just want a good programmer.

Thanks,
Twist.

:)

Tags:

AVR Microcontrollers, megaAVR and tinyAVR
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Bronze Markjs
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Posted by js: Wed. Jul 1, 2009 - 03:43 AM
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Depends on how much money you want to spend and how easy or difficult you want your life to be.

The cheapest/easiest would be just an Atmel AVRISP Mk2, programmer only. (Real Atmel unit not clone)

Next comes the Dragon, as well as a programmer it can also do debugging with debugWire (small chips) or JTAG (larger chips with up to 32K flash)

The "best" would be a JTAG Mk2 at the moment, you may still be able to get it at half price with the current special on this tool.

8085...haaahhhaa the good ol' days of about 25 years ago. :) If you know ASM really well stick with it for a while, then you may switch over to C if you HAVE too. The good thing about the AVR is that you can use both lanuages for free with AVR Studio.

John Samperi

Ampertronics Pty. Ltd.

https://www.ampertronics.com.au

* Electronic Design * Custom Products * Contract Assembly

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twist2b
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Posted by twist2b: Wed. Jul 1, 2009 - 04:15 AM
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HAHA, yeah, the 8085 is pretty darn useless, but it really helps to get a clean slate started...

Yeah, I will have to research these.
Where is the special? I can't find the MK2 o_O

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Bronze Markjs
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Location: Sydney, Australia (Gum trees, Koalas and Kangaroos, No Edelweis, but plenty of Corona beer)
Posted by js: Wed. Jul 1, 2009 - 05:14 AM
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https://www.avrfreaks.net/index.p... scroll down the page, don't know if the special prices are still available. Supposedly valid till October.

John Samperi

Ampertronics Pty. Ltd.

https://www.ampertronics.com.au

* Electronic Design * Custom Products * Contract Assembly

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meslomp
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Posted by meslomp: Wed. Jul 1, 2009 - 05:35 AM
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Top of the bill is the JTAG ICE MK2 that John already stated. This can do the lot programming and debugging.

Then there is the AVR Dragon wich is a low cost programmer emulator, but has a few problems of its own. If you search for avr dragon on this forum you will have somthing to read for the next few days...

then there is the AVR ISP MK2 that can only program the device, but is also very cheap.

It all depends on the money you want to spend.

regards

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fastmapper
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Posted by fastmapper: Wed. Jul 1, 2009 - 05:43 AM
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If you would like to start off small, you may be interested in checking out the Pololu programmer at http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1300. For $20 you get a USB programmer with a logic level serial port and a two channel digital scope.

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