[minima] Re: Arduino Software, and which board to select?
- From: "Steve VK2SJA" <vk2sja@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: minima@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:17:23 +1100
Hi Wayne,
More information:-
> I don't know about the bootloader, I just ordered a chip from Digikey.
The chip your programming with Minima Radiono *needs* be have Arduino
boot-loader firmware pre-installed before it can "talk" to the client IDE
software and download programs via the serial port. It is this boot-loader
software that turns a plain ATmega328 chip into an Arduino.
Arduino is such a common popular platform that it is easy to source and buy
ATmega328 chips with the boot-loader pre-programmed for a dollar or two
more. But you'll have to sort out the boot-loader issue first if you
sourced a plain old ATmega328. And by the sounds of it you may well have.
Installing a boot-loader into a blank ATmega328 chip can be done *if* you
already have an Arduino board. Using that board as an ISP programmer. Of
course instead of using the Arduino board as the programmer you could buy
and use a special ISP programmer. Actually they are not that expensive but
for a "one off" an Arduino board has a lot more utility.
There are lots of instructions around the Web for using an Arduino board
as a ISP programmer. In fact there appear to be a few different ways to do
this. But they all seem to boil down to the same basic idea. The same
physical hardware inter-connections. But each solution uses different
software to make it happen.
Here are a couple links. I've not tried any of them personally. Some
methods are apparently easier than others. In particular a large number of
people seem to report that OptiLoader was easier than other methods. But
this information may be historically dated.
http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoISP#.UwaOjZi-VhE
http://3g1l.com/blog-burn-bootloader-blank-atmega328atmega328p-arduino-uno
https://github.com/WestfW/OptiLoader
Hope all this theory helps. Someone who has had some recent practical
experience, will no doubt chime in shortly with some specifics.
I'd offer to do a postal "swap". You send me the blank chip and I'll send
you back one with a bootloader installed. But the postage costs between
CONUS and VK would likely be silly. Maybe someone reading this states-side
could offer the same. But in truth even local postage costs are probably
more than the extra dollar or two for a ATmega328 with the bootloader
already loaded.
Perhaps try seeking out someone in a local Radio, Computer or Maker Club
who may be able to help you?
73, Steve.
VK2SJA
>> On Feb 20, 2014, at 4:14 PM, "Steve VK2SJA" <vk2sja@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Wayne,
>>> It would seem that you would use the Arduino software to upload the
sketch
>>> into it,since the Minima controller is a basic Arduino board?
>> Correct.
>>> And if so, which board type do you select for the Minima controller?
>> I'd try "Arduino Uno" as it uses the ATmega328.
>> Does your ATmega328 chip already have the Arduino boot-loader firmware
installed? Won't work without.
>> 73, Steve
>> VK2SJA
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