Pololu USB AVR Programmer

• Programmer for AVR-based controllers
• Includes USB A to mini-B cable and 6-pin ISP programming cable
• TTL-level serial port for general-purpose communication
• SLO-scope for monitoring signals and voltage levels
• Supports standard in-system programming (ISP)

The Pololu USB AVR Programmer is an extremely compact, low-cost in-system programmer (ISP) for Atmel’s AVR microcontrollers, which makes this device an attractive programming solution for AVR-based controllers like Pololu Orangutan robot controllers. The USB AVR programmer connects to your computer’s USB port via an included USB A to mini-B cable and communicates with your programming software, such as AVR Studio or AVRDUDE, through a virtual COM port using the AVRISPV2/STK500 protocol. The programmer connects to your target device via an included 6-pin ISP programming cable (the older, 10-pin ISP connections are not directly supported, but it’s easy to create or purchase a 6-pin-to-10-pin ISP adapter).

This device is a programmer for AVR-based controllers, such as our Orangutan robot controllers and the 3pi robot. The programmer emulates an AVRISP v2 on a virtual serial port, making it compatible with standard AVR programming software. Two additional features help with building and debugging projects: a TTL-level serial port for general-purpose communication and a SLO-scope for monitoring signals and voltage levels (please see the useful links tab).

Supported Microcontrollers

The programmer should work with all AVRs that can be programmed by an AVR ISP, but it has not been tested on all devices (it has been tested with all Orangutan robot controllers and the 3pi Robot). The programmer features upgradable firmware, allowing updates for future devices. It does not currently work with Atmel’s XMega line of microcontrollers. The programmer is powered by the 5V USB power bus, and it is intended for programming AVRs that are running at close to 5V (note that the programmer does not deliver power to the target device).

Supported Operating Systems

The programmer has been tested under Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Linux. It is not compatible with any version of Mac OS or with older versions of Windows.

Note: This programmer supports standard in-system programming (ISP), which is also sometimes called in-circuit serial programming (ICSP). It does not support JTAG, DebugWire, or High-Voltage programming, and it does not support the Mac OS at this time.