Can I use any of the avr development boards to program the avr chips without the need of any other programming cables?
In other words all I’d need would be:
AVR-P28
standard serial cable
power
Thanks.
Short answer, no. Although you can set up most of the larger AVR’s to allow for serial programming, they don’t come from the factory that way. So you would need to obtain bootloader code from somewhere, and then use a programer to load the bootloader into the chip. I’ve done this before, and will say that it’s usually a good idea to have a regular programmer handy anyway, as the serial programming doesnt always work the way one would like , and doesnt allow access to the entire device (some flash memory has to be reserved for the bootloader, and I think some of the fuse bits are inaccessable)
If you’re just looking to save some cash, buy the Serial Port Dongle Programmer from Spark for $12. You can use this for (almost?) all of the AVR boards spark sells, as well as many others, as it uses a standard ICSP header.
If you buy a development board that says it has an ISP connector and a voltage regulator on it, then all you need is:
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The development board.
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The ISP dongle (parallel, serial, or USB)
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A power supply (7-25V AC or DC)
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an AVR chip that fits the development board
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A PC to program it from
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Software on the PC to program it
I started with Kanda STK kits (they truly have everything you need in them, starting at $65,) and then moved to Spark Fun to save money.
A starter kit from SparkFun would be to select a programmer:
AVR-PG2 Parallel Port Dongle Programmer for STK Port $11.95 or
AVR-PG1 Serial Port Dongle Programmer for STK Port $11.95
I reccomend that you select a development board that includes some basic devices so you do not have to wire in LEDs yourself (atleast not at first.) For example:
AVR-IO 4 Optocouplers with Relays Board - ATtiny2313 Included $33.95
AVR-MT128 Compact Development Board with ATMega128 $55.95
AVR-MT Fun Development Board with LCD, Relay, Buttons, Buzzer - ATtiny2313 Included $38.95
If you are willing to wire in your own LEDs and buttons, you can select a development board like one of these:
AVR-P20 20 Pin Development Board w/10MHz Crystal - ATtiny2313 Included $17.95 or
AVR-P28 28 Pin Development Board w/8MHz Crystal - ATMega8 Included $19.95
AVR-P40 40 Pin Development Board w/8MHz Crystal - ATMega32 Included $24.95
AVR-P40USB 40 Pin Development Board w/USB Connection - ATMega32 Included $38.95
AVR-P8 8 Pin Development Board - ATtiny13 Included $12.95
Whichever board you choose, get a power supply (e.g., 9V 300ma $2.95) from the drop-down box below the board’s description.
Because you do not want to wire your own mother board, avoid the boards like:
AVR-H103 ATMega103 Mini Header Board $15.00
AVR-H128 ATMega128 Mini Header Board $35.95
AVR-M16/M32 Header Board for ATMega16 and ATMega32 $20.95 / $23.95
You will need software to program the part, such as AVR-ISP. I got mine with a Kanda STK board. Maybe someone else can point you to free ISP softare?
I use AVR Studio to compile my code (C and Assembly.) AVR Studio 4.11 is a free download from http://www.Atmel.com
That’s all you need. It’s not as hard as some people make it out to be.
Andy Out!
easiest way is to buy a board with an AVR that is pre-programmed with a serial bootloader. Then write your program with GCC/WinAVR (free) or a purchased compiler like CodeVision AVR, or Atmel’s free assembler.
All of the compilers yield a .hex file which can download.
I use this board to fiddle with
http://www.prllc.com/productcart/pc/vie … product=11
The bootloader is pre-programmed and the Windows PC software to push the download out a serial port is free with the board. The only cable you need is an ordinary DB9 serial port cable.
I’m a total newbie, so this might be a dumb question: What is the purpose of a bootloader? Is it absolutely necessary? Can’t I just upload the .hex file through an AVR-ISP interface (using AVRDude, or whatever) without a bootloader?
Yes, you could, but what if you wanted to save room and had to take out the ISP? Or if you microcontroller runs off of USB which would be much faster. Or what if you’re getting sick of connecting/unconnecting it to the ISP which disconnecting the communication cable to avoid ground loops? Or you get sick of having several boards and multiple cables to work with?
I think you see where I’m going with this. Besides, they’re cool, in a geeky sort of way. 
I’m a newbie, also. I still don’t understand what a “bootloader” does…
Can anyone explain? This microcontroller stuff is not for the “faint of heart”. It is very frustrating because there are so many things that must work together to make a project work.