I am interested in programming AVR microcontrollers, and using sed devices for basic input output systems. I have experience with Basic language, and intel Assembly language.
What books would you suggest to read as an introduction to AVR programming and component interfacing.
Well if your willing to learn how to program in the C language the Arduino project is one of the least expensive, best supported platforms going. All open source free software and lots of vendors selling clones and add on stuff.
There is a great user's forum that helps and welcomes newcomers.
Is the Arduino a bootloader on a ATMEL Chip? Would i still be able to do all the same stuff as if i was programming a normal ATMEL chip?
I ask because the "Arduino Duemilanove" aka "Arduino USB Board" is only about $40 and its USB programmable which leads me to believe that its Bootloader. Its fine and all but how would i program another ATMEL chip with that bootloader if i dont own a programmer?
Then i would suggest the "AVR Dragon" even tho i have not used it it seems to be a good buy. $50/ If you are cash limited then check out this:
USBASP AVR USB ISP Programmer Lite: **broken link removed**
The only thing is thats its can only program ISP which isnt bad at all since most can use that. I think that would also be a nice inexpensive start. All you need is a Chip.
Even tho i dont use AVR (YET!) i would get that or the dragon and some ATtinyXX to start with.
Forgot to mention its $15.48 for the "USBASP AVR USB ISP Programmer Lite"
Is the Arduino a bootloader on a ATMEL Chip? Would i still be able to do all the same stuff as if i was programming a normal ATMEL chip?
I ask because the "Arduino Duemilanove" aka "Arduino USB Board" is only about $40 and its USB programmable which leads me to believe that its Bootloader. Its fine and all but how would i program another ATMEL chip with that bootloader if i dont own a programmer?
Well there is a couple of routes one can take. Several vendors sell the AVR chip (168P) with the Arduino bootloader preburned for about $1 above the blank chip proce. Also there are several ways to burn the bootloader program into a blank chip via the Arduino IDE. It supports several programmer including a simple PC parallel port or there is even a Arduino program to turn the Duemilanove board into a serial programmer and burn the bootloader into a external chip mounted on a breadboard via standard ICSP pin setup.