Initial Use of AVR for Ghetto Programming

The project is based on one of the smaller size chips, the Atmel ATtiny2313 chip, which will be used to build up a complete toolchain consisting of compiler, programmer hardware and software, and some simple demos.

Along with the Atmel ATtiny2313 are the socket for chip, parallel port connector, header pins, and some LEDs & resistors. The add-ons may include a pushbutton switch, piezo speaker, light-sensitive photocell, and breadboard for making complex circuits. The cable to be made is a Direct AVR Parallel Access (DAPA) cable. Any pin can be connected to the ground as long as the grounding is achieved. Most projects are putting resistors in either the cable or the cradle to protect the parallel port of computer from excessive voltages on the AVR chip for use when programming it in-circuit.

In making the programming cradle, the 20-pin socket is used along with female headers to make a cradle which connects the pins from the cable to the right pins on the chip. The plug-in LED is an integral part of the Ghetto Development Environment. The AVR chips can all source a fair amount of current around 50 mA.

Rest of the project