So I’m about to enter the AVR world (after a ~2 year hiatus, previously doing PIC). After some research here, I am still confused as to which is the ideal AVR programmer. In a nutshell, here are the options I’ve seen floating around:
AVR Dragon - ~$50
Programmer, debugger, and emulator
ICSP?
Breakout possible?
Olimex AVR-USB-JTAG - ~$60
Direct alternative to JTAGICE MKII
JTAGICE MKII - ~$300+
Official evaluation board endorsed by Atmel
Programmer, debugger, and emulator, with 32bit support?
AVR-PG1 - ~$13
Basic serial programmer with ICSP support
Olimex-Px0 Prototype boards - ~$15+
Prototype boards with serial interfaces, only ICSP
Connection to computer still required
So with these options, what are the key features/discriminators of each? And are any main ones missing? All opinions appreciated so I can select the best for my basic prototyping/learning.
I have a variety of AVR modules and boards. I have a $20 JTAG that works with Studio and WinAVR. I have an Atmel ISP using USB and one using RS232. I can’t get into JTAG. Seems more trouble than it’s worth versus using printf’s for debugging. Maybe I’m a dolt. Lately, I download using the JTAG below and debug using printfs going to a PC’s serial or USB port
Also consider the modules from ZBasic.net and OakMicros. Very nice. The ZBasic compiler is very Visual Basic-like - and for a hobby thing, it’s superb. I use it and C for various projects
PS: Why did you post the same kind of questions in the ARM forum?
stevech:
PS: Why did you post the same kind of questions in the ARM forum?
I’m also going to try out ARM soon as well. I figured it would be different audiences. And for later searching (From other folks) it’d be easier than mixing ARM and AVR in the same thread. Thanks for the response!
leon_heller:
The Dragon is worth getting, although some people have had reliability issues with it.
Leon
My only concerns with the dragon is:
its 32kb flash memory restriction. Has this been an issue for anyone?
It’s development/prototyping limitations. It seems to do any custom application/prototyping, you’ll need some breakout boards like the Dragon Rider 500.
I feel that a lot of the problems with the Dragon might be caused by an incorrect connection sequence. It should always be connected to the USB port on the PC before connecting it to the target or supplying power to the target.
i dont use the dragon for anything other than ICSP (oh and debuging). ICSP is the PIC term, they call it ISP (in system programing… i think) in AVR land. So to anser your question, yes. Theres a 6 pin ISP header on the board.
I never ran into a 32k limit problem. But it obviously depends on what your doing. If your just starting out with the AVRs i don’t think you need to worry too much about it.