How to use the Dragon Rider 500 with your AVR Dragon

This instructable is a crash course in how to use some of the features of the Dragon Rider 500 from Ecros Technologies. Please be aware that there is a very detailed User's Guide available on the Ecros website.

The Dragon Rider is a interface board for use with an AVR microcontroller programmer called the AVR Dragon by Atmel.

For more information:

Atmel's Wesite:
http://www.atmel.com/

AVR Dragon link:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=3891

Dragon Rider 500 by Ecros Technology:
http://www.ecrostech.com/AtmelAvr/DragonRider/index.htm

Dragon Rider 500 assembly Instructable:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Assembling-the-Dragon-Rider-500-for-use-with-the-A/

Learn all about the AVR microcontrollers:
http://www.avrfreaks.net

This instructable may grow with time so check back now and again!

Step 1: AVR Dude

You need some programming software in order to use the AVR Dragon for programming. I use AVRdude with the Ubuntu operating system (linux) and I'm very happy with the results.

This instructable will not deal with the intricacies of programming software. If you do not know how to set-up or use programming software, check this instructable out to bring you up to speed:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Getting-started-with-ubuntu-and-the-AVR-dragon/

My guess is that if you have purchased and assembled a Dragon Rider 500 you already know how to program a chip with the AVR Dragon..... onward!

Comments

[instructor123]

I just forgot to mention before that I was successfully completed this step (and all steps before this step)of your instructions (I also have few Attiny2313 with wrong fuse settings ).

[instructor123]

First of all congratulations on very good instructable (this one and "Assembling the Dragon Rider 500 for use with the AVR Dragon") which
I followed and succesfully completed.I just have small proposition that in this page you can add on the bottom this kind of statement :
Configuring for High Voltage programming for Attiny2313 (and other AVR ) are located on Ecros web .For ATtiny2313 -http://www.ecrostech.com/AtmelAvr/DragonRider/ATtiny2313.htm and for other AVR on menu at left side(that information is not included in Dragon rider user guide.pdf).It is much easier and safer than reading and combine instruction for STK500 for HVPP or HVSP.Also I noticed maybe 2 errors in this page (which needs to check) .In Ecros web J6 is not mentioned for HVPP (and when I look in Dragon Rider user guide.pdf in schematic for ATtiny 2313 it is not logical for me that J6 must be connected at pin 1 and 2 for HVPP).Second maybe error is I think typing error in sentence "All other jumpers unconnected (J8-J13, J18, J19, J20, J22-J28, J24) " .At the end of that sentence I think that must be J34 instead J24 because J24 is mentioned in "J22-J28" part of that sentence.

[dav1dr4y]

Very cool! Any chance of getting the source? I would like to port/compile to other micros.

[barney_1]

 I think this is the source package. Good luck.

[dav1dr4y]

Excellent! Thanks. /David

[Maarek]

What changes would you make if you wanted to use the LCD through PortD on the 2313? PortD has a range of 0-6 and not 0-7. Maybe it is not possible with the dragon rider seeing as Pin 8 on J31 is DB7 on the LCD but there is no Pin 7 on PortD. I'm not quite sure what goes to Pin 8 on J4.

[barney_1]

Whenever you want to use an add-on that doesn't fit with the fix 10-pin header just use 2 connector cables and the use wires to "jumper" the correct pins between the two cables. That's kind of tough to explain, does it make any sense?

[Maarek]

Ah, yes. I will give that a shot. I'm just trying to get it to work off port D before I throw it all on a breadboard and start playing with my new 4x20 HD44780 display. I wonder why he shifted it up a pin, keeping pin 1 free on the header j31?

[barney_1]

I would wager it's because the lower bits on each AVR port generally have an important secondary use. For example, on the ATmega8 PD0 and PD1 are RX and TX for serial communication. It is very common to use both a serial port and an LCD at the same time with these chips. This keeps that option open.

[tzoom84]

Wow great hack! Can't wait to try it!

[tzoom84]

When you say you created an adapter, do you mean a programming header that allows you to program chips OFF-BOARD? As in, programming, in-circuit on a protoboard? I'd be very interested ...

[barney_1]

Yep, and thanks for getting me on the ball. I've added Step 9 at your request.

[D2T]

I've been looking at the AVR Dragon/Dragon Rider for a few months and then I finally stumbled upon your Instructables. They are an invaluable resource. I assembled my Dragon Rider using your walk-through and aside from an initial problem in AVRStudio it's working great! Thanks!

[xrotaryguy]

How hot should my atmega8 get when I switch the dragon rider into the 'on' position? The chip feels excessively warm to me. I can barely hold the back of my finger against it. I am very new to both programming and hardware, so I guess I'm not exactly sure what to expect. Thanks, Brian

[barney_1]

That's a VERY bad sign. The chip should not be more than slightly warm to the touch. Shut it down and search for a short in your circuit or in your assembly soldering.

[xrotaryguy]

I'm confused. The Dragon Rider user guide states that J11 and J12 should have pins 1 and 2 jumped together yet your instructable states that J11 and J12 should have pins 2 and 3 jumped together. Why is this?

[barney_1]

Read this page again. The first bullet point under "Technical Information" covers this.

[xrotaryguy]

I see now. Thanks

[Maarek]

Great to see all the new information! I've been pondering between getting an STK-500 (Doesn't do ATMega168 or JTAG) or the Dragon/Dragon-Rider combo... I'm a programmer that's never dealt much with the electronic side so this is all really useful. Reading information on AVRFreaks a lot of people seem to "slay their dragon" or fry it. You haven't run into any major problems during your work with the dragon? (Problems such as the issue with the step-up converter on the dragon?) That's one of the set-backs I'm pondering. Being new to both the programming board and piecing together the rider exponentially increases my risk of failure... Do you suggest it? Anyways, hope to see the new Instructable completed!

[barney_1]

Hi Maarek,

I have also read about "slaying" the dragon. It seems the problem comes with the step-up converter being touched at the wrong time. I'm not worried about this with the Rider because the dragon is protected from the top, and I have installed a piece of plexi-glass on the bottom for protection as well. This topic is covered more in my Dragon Rider Assembly instructable:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Assembling-the-Dragon-Rider-500-for-use-with-the-A/