ISP Programmer for AVR Microcontrollers

A microcontroller programmer is a hardware device accompanied with software which is used to transfer the machine language code to the microcontroller/EEPROM from the PC. ISP programmer for AVR microcontrollers is Serial Programmers wich uses the serial port to interact with PC via RS232 protocols. They are more popular among hobbyist working on PC and simply their to make.

Step 1: Circuit Schematic Diagram of Programmer

A microcontroller programmer is a hardware device accompanied with software which is used to transfer the machine language code to the microcontroller EEPROM from the PC. The compiler converts the code written in languages like assembly, C, java etc to machine language code and stores it in a hex file. A microcontroller programmer acts as an interface between the PC and the target controller. The API software of the programmer reads data from the hex file stored on the PC and feeds it into the controller’s memory. The software transfers the data from the PC to the hardware using serial, parallel or USB port.

The micro controller, ATmega32 is programmed using the pins meant for SPI communication. Serial Peripheral Interface is a synchronous, full-duplex protocol. SPI is also known as “3-wire interface” protocol because it needs 3 communication lines named MISO, MOSI and SCK. SPI protocol needs two devices for communication. One of them is considered as a MASTER and another one as a SLAVE.

Step 2: Circuit Board

You can make your own circuit board at home using toner transfer method.

Use acircuit board designing software to convert the circuit schematic diagram into PCB layout.

To make the printout of mirror image of the PCB layout. Print should be taken on Glossy paper/Photo Paper using the Laser Printer.

To cut copper clad board in required size, according to our PCB layout design.

To put copper board upon the Printed layout, with copper side down towards the printed layout. Tightly to press the hot iron for some time. Heating the paper will transfer the ink to the copper board. If paper gets stuck to the plate, use warm water to remove the paper properly.

Our circuit layout under the black ink.

Remove all the other copper except the black lines using etching solution on base hydrogen peroxide.

Step 3: Solder Components

Our circuit layout under the black ink.

Remove all the other copper except the black lines using etching solution on base hydrogen peroxide.

Use fine sand paper to remove the black ink.

To drill the hole for jumper.

To solder components and wire on this Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

At now, making of programmer for AVR microcontrollers with SPI support is completed.

Step 4: Burning the Program Into the Memory of the Microcontroller.

To burning program to the memory of the microcontroller need connect the wires of the programmer to the pins of the microcontroller according to the pinout diagram in the microcontroller datasheet.

Then connect the programmer to the serial port of the computer and connect the usb power plug.

Use the compiler to generate from the program of a microcontroller the hex file, which contains the machine language instruction understandable by a microcontroller. The programmer transfer content of this hex file to the memory of the microcontroller. Once a program is transferred or written into the memory of the microcontroller, it then works in accordance with the program.

In the next video we will try to create a simple program for the microcontroller.

In accordance with the program the microcontroller will control flashing of the LED.

We will try using the programmer which we assembled to configure fuse bits of the microcontroller and burning the program into the memory of the AVR ATMega32 microcontroller.

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Happy making, Thanks!