I can read most schematics, I've been having trouble with schematics that have multiable pages and schematics that show completely seperate circuits off to the side of the main schematic. I've wanted to build my own 8051 Microcontroller programmer, but I don't quite understand the popular schematic floating around the internet. Is there a book or site that has schematics to practice on. Like a tutorial and walk through analysis.

Little confused Kid's problem http://chaokhun.kmitl.ac.th/~kswichi...web/Pgm89.html

 

I spent about a month trying to get that programmer to work...
I'd suggest using a PIC microcontroller. They are more widely used, and easier to program. (take a look at Nigel's programmer compaired to that beast.) Or atleast look into the Atmel ISP programmer, it only requires one IC and a 5V supply.
With that being said...heres some hints on how to read that schematic...
capacitors 1,2,3, and 8 are bypass capacitors which are connected to the positve voltage and ground supply near an IC. If you download the actual board layout file, you'll see that they are placed very close to the IC's.
For wires labeled VDP, VCC, VUR, those are just the wire names and you'll want to connect them all together (that is, all of the VDP's together and the VCC's together ect.)

hope that helps.

__________________
Jeff
To the optimist, the glass is half full.
To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.
To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

Just my 2 cents, but this thing appears to rely on a lot of onboard ICs in order to accomodate the simple software.

PIC programmers are a lot simpler because much of the programming logic is handled by the programming software, not the programmer circuitry. And that's basically why we can choose between several software programs that are compatible with our particular programmer. I know of at least 4 different programs that work flawlessly with my Tait/7407 programmer.

It looks like what you are planning to build will only work with one author's software. Am i right?

Surely, there must be simpler, more flexible designs available out there?

 

How does a simple parallel port cable and free software from Atmel sound? :

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/to...e&tool_id=2877

http://www.8052.com/forum/read.phtml?id=78053

The Atmel Microcontroller ISP Software is the primary means for performing in-system programming (ISP) of Atmel AT89S devices. It provides an intuitive interface for in-system programming that can be run from a personal computer.

 

Wow, Thank you both for your posts. I'll order a PIC and some supplys and get started right away

btw.. Nigel Your site kicks ass :P

 

Oh yeah...you can order free samples of PICs from their website. http://sample.microchip.com/ Be sure to order the PDIP package or else you'll get one of those surface mount chips.

__________________
Jeff
To the optimist, the glass is half full.
To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.
To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

THanks, Which one should I order, for a beginner to experiment with

 

A good one to start with is the 18 pin 16F628, which is why my tutorials are based round it. For a larger PIC, try the 28 pin 16F876 or 40 pin 16F877.

Other 18 pin PIC's, with more facilities, are the 16F819 and 16F88, but the 16F628 keeps things simpler for you.

__________________
PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at:
http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

 

Cool. didnt know they offered that service. Have just ordered a few pics, hope they can deliver to NZ ok :P

LS

 

Hi
Now ISP programming is possible with atmel chips (at89c52) which needs only a chip (buffer) from lpt..

for a newbee this is a best choice

 

I can't order any free samples cause I don't have a .edu email