Make your own universal AVR programmer (serial port)

Two types of AVR programmers can be built :

1)Parallel port

2)Serial port

Serial port programmer(reference: At-Prog) is shown here. Main advantage of using serial port is you can have cable length upto 2m. You can use PonyProg2000 software to program your AVR using this programmer. Serial port generates +- 12V on its pins, thus diodes and zener diode is used to clamp +12V to +5.0V(4.7V due to zener + 0.3V due to bat85) and -12V to -0.3V (due to lower Bat85). You can substitute Bat85 with 1n4148, however it is not recommended because, this diode will clamp +12V and -12V to +5.4V and -0.7V which are not desirable, as per datasheet of microcontroller. Its not that micro will burn if you use 1N4148 diodes, but why to take risk !!.

NOTE: 

The ponyprog2000 software is found in the following link:

link

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM :

LIST OF COMPONENTS :

1)Resistors	1K,1/4W	4
2)Capacitors	27pF,disc	2
	1µF , electrolytic	2
3)Crystal	4Mhz OR 8Mhz	1
4)Voltage regulator	7805	1
5)Connector	D9 Female	1
6)Diode	Bat85	8
7)Zener Diode	4.7V	1
8)Grid PCB	3″ x 3″
9)Connecting wires	-	-

CONFIGURING AND USING PONYPROG2000 :

1. All steps are same as described in parallel port programmer section, However during third step do the following settings : select “serial”, from list select “SI prog I/O”, select “COM1″( usually serial port is at COM1, if your computer have more than one serial ports multiple options will be active. Select appropriate, if you know, else do trial&error), check “Invert Reset”. Click on OK.

COMMENTS :

• Circuit diagrams shown above are generic and suitable for any AVR µC which supports ISP (almost all AVR, you can refer to www.atmel.com)
• Connect pins (e.g. MISO,MOSI, etc…) of AVR to appropriate points shown in circuit diagram.
• You can built programmer for more than one AVR devices by using different IC sockets for each device and doing appropriate connections of all above signal lines ( MISO,MOSI,SCK,RESET,X1,X2) and Vcc,Gnd of each AVR.
• Prefer using ZIF socket with IC base(refer: How to use ZIF socket in circuit without re-drilling holes on PCBs). Though It is bit costly, it proves extremely helpful.

NOTE:

you can use a usb to RS232 cable if you dont have a RS232 port in your pc

Posted in build your own programmer