Tutorial for Beginners

Kok Chen, W7AY [w7ay@arrl.net]
Last updated: June 6, 2008

Introduction

Using a completely new set of tools can feel pretty daunting especially if you have not worked with microprocessors before.

The "lessons" in this tutorial will take you step by step to the point where you should feel comfortable using the tools. The lessons are intended to be very basic; advanced users can probably skim through them and be off on your own.

This tutorial does not address programming in the C language. There are books on C programming that are specific to the Atmel AVR such as Embedded C Programming And The Atmel AVR, or Atmel AVR Microcontroller Primer: Programming and Interfacing. There are also online tutorials such as this one.

This tutorial will assume the following:

1. You are using a current (version 2) Atmel STK500 Programmer/Starter Kit,
   
   
2. You have a spare ATmega168 micro-controller,
   
   
3. You have a USB serial port adapter that is capable of operating at 115.2 kilobits/second transfer rate,
   
   
4. You have followed each step described in the Resources page and have downloaded and installed the avr gcc tool chain (including avrdude),
   
   
5. You have downloaded and installed AVR Tools.
   

Lesson 1 will show you how to download and run firmware from a pre-compiled hex file to the ATmega168. Lesson 2 will show you how to modify an existing AVR program in Xcode.