Christopher’s Internet Affliction

Okay! This is a little guide intended for those just getting started out in the weird, wild world of The Ultimate In Geek: Programming your own microcontrollers. After you outgrow your Arduino, and find out that it’s really too much for a lot of applications, programming your own AVR microcontrollers is the way to go. This is not intended to teach you how to do everything- There’s plenty of documentation on each part of the process out there. I merely intend to compile what has worked for me in one central place.

Tools and supplies, software and a lot of links, after the jump!

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Good day!

AVR Target Board

I recently outgrew my still-loved Arduino, and desired to learn how to use AVR Microcontrollers in their intended way. So, I started assembling tools and software. I built a AVR programmer from Limor’s USBtinyISP kit, and it was easily the best choice for me. Then, I installed a bit of software, but then the big problem arose: How to interface the unique microcontrollers to this specific programmer. I found very little direction on how to complete this simple task, and I hope to fill in the blanks for you. I am assuming you know how to solder, and have some basic electronics know-how, ’cause you are playing with microcontrollers..

Parts! You need a 2 row, 6 pin connector. (Mouser Part #M22-2580305), a suitable piece of plain old protoboard, some thin gauge wire, and a IC header to fit the microcontroller you wish to use. And for God’s sake, use a marker to indicate which way is up for your chip!

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