[minima] Re: Arduino Software, and which board to select?
- From: Wayne McFee <nb6m@xxxxxxx>
- To: "minima@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <minima@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2014 21:33:01 -0800
Steve,
I really appreciate all the info. I'll check out those links.
And, a big thank you to Shawn. Getting a chip with bootloader already
installed will definitely help get me started.
The Minima is a very interesting project.
VY 73,
Wayne
> On Feb 20, 2014, at 7:17 PM, "Steve VK2SJA" <vk2sja@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> 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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