Arduino Examples #2 Use an Arduino As a FTDI Programmer

In this instructable I will show you how to use an Arduino Uno, Duemilanove, Diecimila, Mega 2560, Mega 1280 or Nano to program an Arduino Pro, Pro Mini, Mini, LilyPad or any other device with a ATmaga168, ATmaga328 using an Arduino. But this only works on 5v boards NOT 3.3v boards. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for other Arduino examples please feel free to leave a comment and I will write back as soon as i can.

Step 1: Get the Hardware Required

Hardware Required
1-arduino Duemilanove, Diecimila or Nano
1-6 pin female header
6-jumper wires

Step 2: Wire It Up (5v Boards)

First you should remove the micro controller from the board you don't want to program or else you will be programing both micro controllers. Next connect jumper wires between the Arduino and header as shown in the photo below. Then go to the next step to program the Arduino.

Step 3: Program the Arduino

Now using your computer open up the Arduino software. Then connect your 2 Arduino's together and to your computer. Next go to tools and select  the board you want to program After that if you want to test it out you can copy and paste all the text between the //. Then upload the program to your Arduino and the led connected to pin 13 should blink.

//
void setup() {  // this sets the output pins

pinMode(13, OUTPUT); // Pin 13 has an LED connected on most Arduino boards:
}

void loop() {
digitalWrite(13, HIGH); // set the LED on
delay(1000); // wait for a second
digitalWrite(13, LOW); // set the LED off
delay(1000); // wait for a second
}               
//
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for other Arduino examples please feel free to leave a comment and I will write back as soon as i can.

Comments

[Yeem]

Will this work if I am programming a 3.3v Pro Mini from an Uno (5v)? I would like to do this but I don't want to damage anything.

[36000hz]

Yes, you can power a 3v3 device with an UNO, BUT.. you need to make certain that you use the 3v3 pin on the UNO to supply the power.

[Ali Qureshi]

As far as I have searched in order to send AT commands from Arduino mega to TP link we need an FTDI cable for Serial to USB conversion (or vice versa). If I want to use the Arduino mega with same methodology to send "AT commands" to a TP Link will that work or not?

[AdityaB102]

no need to remove. just connect RST to GND, the firmware first addrs $xxh never execute. ;)

[magnocampos]

That's a nice tutorial for arduino UNO, but, if you want to use Arduino nano?? best regards, Campos

[goldenshuttle]

arduino mini is the only shitty Arduino product. always stubborn to take code.

[FirdousP]

How do I get ip address using esp8266

[SrikerD]

how can i program my promini 3.3v,8mhz with arduino uno is there any way to do this, please reply me asap i m in hurry

thank u in advance

[longtomo]

How can I upload sketch to Pro Mini using Mega2560?
I can't seem to do so

[aephy6]

I guess you cant do it with Mega2560, cause you cant remove the Atmega2560 IC from it, and when you connect it, the arduino IDE will detect the 2560, not the Pro mini

[Lotrax]

I did exactly as you said, but I get this error message: avrdude: ser_open(): can't set com-state for "\\.\COM12"

What does this mean? Everything is connected correctly, I removed the AtMega from the UNO.

[victor.valadez.547]

There is a good tutorial titled: "Arduino Uno R3 as a true ISP programmer for any Attiny and Atmega AVR", see:

• http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=317138.0
• https://app.box.com/s/ol1z8jjnrpy6wly4w61imt7wcbxk3fcg

You can upload any hex file you want in any AVR micro-controller just using "avrdude" and an Arduino Uno R3 board that runs ArduinoISP.

[Omkar_R]

I want to upload program on 'Arduino Pro Mini 328 3.3V /8MHz' using 'Arduino Uno'. What procedure would I have to follow?

[ayesh.kahawala]

when i upload my Program to arduino pro mini (5v) using uno it show me " avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync(): not in sync: resp=0x00 " and it doesn't work ... can anybody help me ??

[frank.coussakis]

I've had the same problem. Researching on another thread (

https://www.instructables.com/id/Uploading-sketch-to-Arduino-Pro-Mini-using-Arduino/) , the RESET pin on UNO R3 on that thread is linked with GRN pin on Mini (5V), and not with BLK pin as this thread indicates. The others pins follows the same as indicated here. So just change the RESET pin on UNO to be wired with GRN pin on Mini and NOT with BLK pin.. It worked for me. Hope this can help you. ;-)

[lucas.golino]

CTS and GND is connected in GND on arduino?

[JuliusR]

Can someone please tell me where I can find the corresponding pins on a arduino nano. I can't find pins labelled: RTs, Rxd, Txd, Vcc,Cts, Gnd .

Please someone help me to identify the right pins on my arduino nano so I can program it from my arduino uno. My nano is playing up and I can't program it the conventional way, so much help is appreciated.

[danny2707]

when i go to upload the .ino sketch which board i have to select into tools->board->(Arduino UNO or Arduino Por or Por mini 5v)... it's just valit to 5v nano no for 3.3 volts?

[Trey Frost]

Do you have to remove the micro controller? Wouldn't it be easier to just reprogram it after you disconnect the other Arduino?

[qazwsx755]

No, you don't have to remove the micro controller from the Arduino with the built in FTDI chip but yes you would have to reprogram the Arduino then.