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| | Minimexle is an universal development board for Atmel AVR microprocessor ATmega88, which comes with an | | Minimexle is an universal development board for Atmel AVR microprocessor ATmega88, which comes with an |
| | USB programmer, both in the form of the kit. Both programmer and the board are available from the | | USB programmer, both in the form of the kit. Both programmer and the board are available from the |
| − | [http://www.minimexle.de/ www.minimexle.de], all documentation is there. | + | [http://www.minimexle.de/ www.minimexle.de], all documentation is there. |
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| − | == AVR-USB-PROGI ==
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| − | It is a good idea to start with AVR programmer. It's greatest advantage is possibility to program Your
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| − | AVR's using USB port (available also in laptops without standard RS-232 and LPT ports).
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| − | First step is also the most difficult: to solder SMD chip BM232 from FTDI. Maybe it is a good idea to
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| − | offer a PCB with pre-soldered chip for beginners. It is not so difficult when one have a good soldering
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| − | iron and magnifying glass. One problem is, that PCB delivered was not perfectly cleaned by the manufacturer
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| − | and thus it was necessary to use an excessive amount of flux (already cleaned off on the picture):
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| − | [[Image:MiniMexleSmdChip.jpg]]
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| − | Then it is recommended not to continue directly with other components, but to make a test of connections.
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| − | For this purpose is only a multimeter required, but also a pinout diagram is necessary. (probably it should be
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| − | included in documentation):
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| − | [[Image:FTDIpinout.png]]
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| − | Then simply continue assembly from the lowest components to the tallest:
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| − | [[Image:MiniMexleResistors.jpg]][[Image:MiniMexleReady.jpg]]
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| − | Again it is necessary to use (and also to clean) the flux paste. For cleaning it is
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| − | recommended to use an Isopropylalcohol, which is not dangerous to the components. Using
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| − | of the (more powerful) acetone is not recommended.
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| − | [[Image:MiniMexleDirty.jpg]][[Image:MiniMexleClean.jpg]]
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| − | After finishing the board I did perform simple connection test without microcontroller,
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| − | installation of the FTDI drivers wasn't necessary, because I did use such chips before.
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| − | Even I am able to find on which virtual serial port is programmer connected, it is very
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| − | good idea to supplement also detection routine. I did test it successfully, also the simple
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| − | communication test with pins 2 and 3 connected. The test works also with terminal program
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| − | (e.g. [http://bray.velenje.cx/avr/terminal Terminal by Bray++] -no install, just run).
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| − | [[Image:MiniMexleTest1.png]]
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| − | Then it is necessary to insert and program the programmer's microcontroller, it works fine
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| − | exactly as stated in manual. Don't be surprised with VERY LONG programming time, in my case
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| − | it takes more than 10 minutes, at the first moment I think that computer is frozen...
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| − | After removing the internal programming cable and assembling the case, the device is
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| − | ready for everyday use. Good work, Thomas!
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