Arduino Stand Alone -- Bootloading

The following outlines how to build a stand alone Arduino on a bread board. This tutorial is based on the original explanation at the Arduino site. I have not included a schematic here -- if you follow the one at the Arduino site note the listed errors -- they are corrected in the info below.

Parts List

  • Arduino board
  • breadboard
  • AVRisp mkII programmer
  • Arduino software (V10 or later)

Getting Started

A bootloader is a tiny piece of permanent software that is installed on a microcontroller. In this case, it is the software that turns a normal Atmel168 chip (or an Atmel8) into an Arduino. You should only have to bootload once per chip -- though you can redo it. This will be important for those of you who want advanced techniques -- or if you buy a Sparkfun serial to USB converter.

A distinction should be made here. WIth the Atmel168 chip it is possible to make an NG model Arduino or a Diecimila model. The Diecimila is the latest version but it needs more connections to the serial port than I outline here. For the moment -- I recommend that you bootload your chips as NG models. You will need to press reset when you program, but the setup is slightly less complicated.

You will need a commercial Arduino board to bootload the way I am describing. On some level this defeats the purpose of breadboarding all this stuff -- if you have a commercial version, why not just use it? Well, first because you may want 10 microcontrollers in a project -- and this is cheaper. And second, this is not the only way to handle this -- it can be done on a breadboard -- but for now this is the fastest solution.

Connections

First: Take an Arduino board and with POWER removed and USB connection removed, extract the chip. This can be done with a proper chip remover -- or aggressively -- with a screw driver as I have done below. Place your blank chip into the socket, notch near the six pins on the edge of the board.


Check Power -- The Arduino board can be jumpered for USB or External power. Ensure you have selected external power. ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE PUT YOUR BLANK CHIP INTO THE BOARD can you safely connect external power. A green LED will light on the main Arduino board.


Programmer: Connect the AVRisp mkII programmer to the six-pin header on the board.

You should now also see a green LED inside the programmer.


Software: In the Arduino environment, goto Tools-->Board --> NG or older w/ ATmega168.


Software Part 2: In the Arduino environment, goto Tools-->Burn Bootloader --> w/AVRisp mkII.

Burning! This takes a few seconds -- lights will flash for a moment or two -- then lots of green LEDS should go on and stay on.

FINISH UP : Disconnect external power, disconnect the AVRisp mkII programmer. Ensure power is off and remove your chip. Breadboard it!


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(This Page Last Updated: January 14, 2008 )