Using Uno (SMD) to upload to Pro Mini??

Development Boards Arduino
1

Hi.

I’m looking at getting a few Pro Minis to embed in some of my projects.

I’d rather not buy a FTDI Basic breakout and have heard and seen tutorials on using other Arduino products, such as the Uno, to upload through to the Pro Mini.

Many of these tutorials state that you should remove the chip from the Uno, although I understand this is simply to avoid unloading the code to both units.

What I really want to know is can this be done using an SMD version of the Uno?

Is there any more involved that connecting through the Vcc, Gnd, TX, RX and reset?

2

Sure, it should work. You need to disable the auto-reset feature on the UNO. Do this with a capacitor (1 to 10 microfarads) from Ground (-) to Reset (+). This will ‘absorb’ the reset pulse from the USB and allow the ArduinoISP sketch to continue running.

3

Thanks!

Do I still jump the reset from the uno to the reset on the Pro Mini? or just hold the Minis reset button when I upload?

4

I don’t think you need to, but it’s been a while since I did it. If it doesn’t work without it, you could try with it.

5

Thanks!

6

If one of my solutions works, please click the green check mark in one of my posts to mark your question “solved.”

7

will do…just waiting on the minis to arrive!

Thanks again

8

I know you don’t want to use an FTDI cable…but trust me, down the road, you’ll be glad you had it. I use my 5V and 3V3 ones for all kinds of breadboard interfacing, signal stealing, ect. Much more than “just” uploading code.

9

Thats the cable, rather than the Basic Breakout?

Food for thought…