Hello Board - hello.ftdi.44.echo.c

This tutorial describes how to use command line utilities to install and run hello.ftdi.44.echo.c on a basic board used in 863.13

Know these terms (or you will be confused)

• AVR - The name of the Amtel microcontroller we are programming
• ISP - In System Programmer
• ISP Header - the 2x3 pin header that connects the FabISP to our newly created chip.
• ICP - In Circuit Programmer
• FTDI - Future Technology Devices International - The company that makes a special usb cable - and drivers that let us write to the 6 pin output like a standard serial port.
• FTDI Header - the 1x6 pin header that connects to the special FTDI USB cable
• CrossPack for AVR Development - A collection of AVR dev tools bundled for OSX:
  • GNU compiler suite (gcc avr-gcc command line util, etc)
  • C library for the AVR (libraries )
  • The AVRDUDE uploader
  • Several other useful tools
• PCB - Printed Circuit Board

Have this hardware ready:

• The FabISP (In System Programmer) board, completed in an earlier week's assignment
• The newly created but not-yet-programmed-PCB (with >= button and one LED)
• A 2x3 pin ISP ribbon cable completed in an earlier week's assignment
• The special FTDI USB cable (USB -> 1x6 pin FTDI header)

Software requirements:

• FTDI USB Drivers
• AVR command line development tool-chain (avr-gcc, avrdude, etc)
  • OS X: CrossPack for AVR Development
• Download these files from the embedded programing class page:
  • hello.ftdi.44.echo.c
  • hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.make
  • term.py

Process

1. Connect computer and FabISP board via USB
2. Connect computer and button/LED board via USB (black is ground)
3. Connect boards together via ISP Ribbon Cable
4. Plug FTDI cable into board
5. Use your terminal to CD into the directory containing the hello.ftdi.44.echo files

First: make -f hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.make

$ make -f hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.make 
avr-gcc -mmcu=attiny44 -Wall -Os -DF_CPU=20000000 -I./ -o hello.ftdi.44.echo.out hello.ftdi.44.echo.c
avr-objcopy -O ihex hello.ftdi.44.echo.out hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex;\
   avr-size --mcu=attiny44 --format=avr hello.ftdi.44.echo.out
AVR Memory Usage
----------------
Device: attiny44

Program:     848 bytes (20.7% Full)
(.text + .data + .bootloader)

Data:         33 bytes (12.9% Full)
(.data + .bss + .noinit)

Next: make -f hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.make program-usbtiny

$ make -f hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.make program-usbtiny
avr-objcopy -O ihex hello.ftdi.44.echo.out hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex;\
   avr-size --mcu=attiny44 --format=avr hello.ftdi.44.echo.out
AVR Memory Usage
----------------
Device: attiny44

Program:     848 bytes (20.7% Full)
(.text + .data + .bootloader)

Data:         33 bytes (12.9% Full)
(.data + .bss + .noinit)


avrdude -p t44 -P usb -c usbtiny -U flash:w:hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex

avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e9207
avrdude: NOTE: FLASH memory has been specified, an erase cycle will be performed
         To disable this feature, specify the -D option.
avrdude: erasing chip
avrdude: reading input file "hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex"
avrdude: input file hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex auto detected as Intel Hex
avrdude: writing flash (848 bytes):

Writing | ################################################## | 100% 0.82s



avrdude: 848 bytes of flash written
avrdude: verifying flash memory against hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex:
avrdude: load data flash data from input file hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex:
avrdude: input file hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex auto detected as Intel Hex
avrdude: input file hello.ftdi.44.echo.c.hex contains 848 bytes
avrdude: reading on-chip flash data:

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.49s



avrdude: verifying ...
avrdude: 848 bytes of flash verified

avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK

avrdude done.  Thank you.

Finally: Use term.py to open

The following should open a new window. This command will vary slightly depending on your setup.

1. At the console type python term.py /dev/tty. (don't hit enter yet)
2. Then hit tab key [once or twice] to view the potential options.
3. The correct choice should look like python term.py /dev/tty.usbserial-FTGO0865 115200
4. The new window may open behind the terminal. Check if it's there.
5. Type characters, and they will hopefully be sent back to the window

Useful links

Irina's Page from 2011 did a great job of explaining the programming process using one of the LED blink examples.