[SOLVED] microcontroller programmers

[alfie.max15]

i am new to microcontroller programming and i have done some programs in pc and simulated it and all.
but now i want to try to burn the hex file to an actual microcontroller. i wish to use atmega328P

There is USBasp AVR Programming Device for ATMEL proccessors

**broken link removed**

But i see a burner and a cable to connect to microcontroller.

i have seen others(my friends) having a socket where the microcontroller is kept and the 10pin/6pin adapter is connected to that board for programming the microcontroller.

i know i sound very stupid asking these, but i really dont know how to start up with all this.
plssss helpppppp!!!!!

 

[sky_123]

It looks like the device you've found is what you need; an in-system programmer (aka ISP). The "standard" one is AVR-ISP mk II, but there are many others that work.
And yes, you do need a 6 or 10-pin header on your board for programming it.
If you have a hex file, then it will work with these ISP devices.
You just need the programmer, the hex file and a board containing the device you wish to program.

 

[alfie.max15]

It looks like the device you've found is what you need; an in-system programmer (aka ISP). The "standard" one is AVR-ISP mk II, but there are many others that work.
And yes, you do need a 6 or 10-pin header on your board for programming it.
If you have a hex file, then it will work with these ISP devices.
You just need the programmer, the hex file and a board containing the device you wish to program.

thanks for showing interest in helping me out.
i got the half of it.
but what i dont know is where i can get the board in which i can place the microcontroller and to connect the 6 or 10 pin cable.

 

[sky_123]

Most AVR development boards will have the 6- or 10-pin connector. e.g. see this one.
The atmega328P is pretty old - no idea if you can find a dev board for it. Might be worth considering a more recent AVR, or whichever dev board you can find. It is easy to make your own board too.
If you have your own board made, you should add a connector to it.

 

[alfie.max15]

Most AVR development boards will have the 6- or 10-pin connector. e.g. see this one.
The atmega328P is pretty old - no idea if you can find a dev board for it. Might be worth considering a more recent AVR, or whichever dev board you can find. It is easy to make your own board too.
If you have your own board made, you should add a connector to it.

Thats nice...
can i directly connect the 10 pins from the adapter cable to the respective pins of the microcontroller?
will it damage the IC?

or can u tell me how to connect the cable to the microcontroller?

 

[sky_123]

Yes you can, no additional components are required (assuming that you've not connected those pins to any hardware that may interfere with their operation). You should get a 6-pin (or 10-pin) DIL header.
Just a few of the 10 pins are used. You can see the connection data here.

 

[alfie.max15]

Yes you can, no additional components are required (assuming that you've not connected those pins to any hardware that may interfere with their operation). You should get a 6-pin (or 10-pin) DIL header.
Just a few of the 10 pins are used. You can see the connection data here.

So let me make this clear...
i can make it by myself using a 28 pin socket and making necessary connections to a 6/10 pin header and then just connect the cable to it and place the microcontroller in the socket and just burn it....
its that easy? correct me if i am wrong....
wow.....
thanx alot...

- - - Updated - - -

one more thing... as i said i am using atmega328
can u tell me which are the pins to use...
i am just confused
there are 2 GND pins... pls could u help me out in this toooo...

 

[sky_123]

Correct, just connect the pins to the 6/10-pin connector, and supply power (and ensure your board has a crystal,
if the particular AVR you're using doesn't have an internal oscillator).
The two GND pins connect together.
See **broken link removed** for all the info.
It refers to AVR-ISP, but would equally apply to other AVR ISP programmers too.

 

[alfie.max15]

Correct, just connect the pins to the 6/10-pin connector, and supply power (and ensure your board has a crystal,
if the particular AVR you're using doesn't have an internal oscillator).
The two GND pins connect together.
See **broken link removed** for all the info.
It refers to AVR-ISP, but would equally apply to other AVR ISP programmers too.

i am sorry... but now what is it with the oscillator?
why is that required?
atmega328 has an internal oscillator but still out of curiosity want to know what is the need of it and where and how to connect it with the board that i am going to make.
the AVR ISP programmers itself has an oscillator on it right?
are you saying that i have to connect an oscillator across the microprocessor that i am going to program?
pls bear with my silly questions but this is my first time... pls understand...

 

[sky_123]

I didn't say it was required. I said _if_ you don't have an internal oscillator.
The 6/10-pin connector supplies no oscillator to the AVR, so you need an internal one, or a crystal.
This is detailed in the doc link.

 

[alexan_e]

I'm not aware of an AVR with no internal oscillator so unless the user has specifically selected fuse values for external clock source there will not be a problem with that.

the AVR ISP programmers itself has an oscillator on it right?

The clock that the programmer generates is for the ISP not the AVR core clock, if you have an AVR that is set to use an external clock then you have to connect that clock source (like a crystal) in addition to the programmer

 

[alfie.max15]

https://www.electroncomponents.com/Tools-Accessories/Programmer-In-Circuit/AVR-Programmer-USBASP

if i use this isp i can directly program a microcontroller right?

anyways m gonna try to make my own...
thanks for all the help..
this has been great learning experience...

- - - Updated - - -

one more doubt that i just got is that the microcontroller atmega328P has AREF, AVCC, VCC pins
should i connect all three pins to power supply? just like connecting both the GND pins to ground together?

 

[alexan_e]

https://www.electroncomponents.com/Tools-Accessories/Programmer-In-Circuit/AVR-Programmer-USBASP

if i use this isp i can directly program a microcontroller right?

If the ISP positions in the socket fit the position of the ISP pins of your mcu (and the power supply pins as well) then yes.

- - - Updated - - -

AVcc and Vcc yes .

For Aref depends on the ADC reference mode but in any case this doesn't need to be connected for programming

 

[alfie.max15]

thanks.....
y'll hav helpd me to start up with microcontroller programming... thanks alot...