Getting started with the Atmel AVR

Posted by Matthew Fri, 14 Apr 2006 20:58:00 GMT

There are two major microcontrollers in the hobby domain, the popular PIC and Atmel’s AVR line. PICs are tried and true in both commercial and hobby implementations, but the Atmel AVR offers affordable programming solutions, a free development environment, a free assembler and a stable gcc toolkit that work across the entire AVR line.

Various AVR microcontrollers

Affordable Programmers

The AVR is well known for how simple it is to program. To start, you only need a few resistors and a parallel port. This will burn your code onto the microchip, but if you plan on pursuing larger projects you will need a more complex programmer with ISP support. This will enable the extra features and debugging support.

  1. The ultra low-cost AVR programmer uses an LPT port and a few resistors, but requires special software.
  2. A simple serial programmer for Linux uses several resistors and two LEDs. Programming is done with uisp.
  3. More complex schematics for ISP programmers that can be programmed via AVR Studio or AVR-Dude.
  4. A usb programmer that supports ISP.

A simple serial programmer

A free development environment

AVR Studio is available directly from Atmel at no cost. It has an integrated simulator and programming software. However, there is only an assembler available. You will have to purchase more software for high level languages.

The gcc-toolkit

If you want to use C/C++, then the gcc-toolkit is available for the AVR, free. WinAVR comes loaded with a gcc, binutils, the avrdude programmer, simulavr, and more. On Linux, you will need to download the packages for your specific distribution or compile your own cross-compiler.

A great community

AVR Freaks is a site dedicated to the AVR line of microcontrollers. There is a large archive of tutorials and a very helpful forum.

Comments

Leave a response

  1. Avatar Lucas said 2 days later:

    It’s ATMEL, not AMTEL ;)

  2. Avatar Matthew said 2 days later:

    That’s what I get for pushing things out the door! Honestly, calling the company Amtel is a serial habit of mine. It started years ago and I have never been able to shake it.

  3. Avatar rodbotic said 2 days later:

    winAVR is a free C compiler for the avr atmels.

    AVRLIB is a great free example C. to do just about everything on the atmel.

  4. Avatar rodbotic said 2 days later:

    also check out avrfreaks.net

    for more free help and code

  5. Avatar Lucas said 2 days later:

    I forgot to mention: I love superpositioned and really appreciate your work! no reason to throw the towel ;)

  6. Avatar Matthew said 3 days later:

    No harsh feelings. I have been walking around all day saying, “Atmel, Atmel.” People are going to think I’m nuts.

  7. Avatar learner404 said 14 days later:

    Atmel microcontrollers are great :) Here’s an open source project using an atmega8: http://sourceforge.net/projects/liberlab/

  8. Avatar Pavan said 2 months later:

    how can i program the internal timer 1 of ATmega 8535

  9. Avatar learner404 said over 3 years later:

    Warning: Could you please delete the above URL I gave in the comment a long time ago (this domain is now squatted by an “adult” site).

    The correct address is now: http://sourceforge.net/projects/liberlab/

    Thanks for your comprehension.

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