Category Archives: Microcontrollers

What is a Standalone Programmer?

A standalone microcontroller programmer is a device that can be used to program microcontrollers without the need for a computer. This makes them ideal for use in portable applications, or for programming microcontrollers that are not easily accessible by a computer. They also simplify production tasks as the operator can be relatively unskilled.

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All You Need to Know About AVR ISP, UPDI, JTAG, PDI and TPI.

AVR microcontrollers were first introduced almost 30 years ago and since then there have been a few changes, especially since Microchip absorbed Atmel. The AVR was one of the first microcontrollers to have onboard flash memory that could be electrically erased and reprogrammed and this enabled the introduction of In System Programming or ISP.

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AVR High Voltage Programmer

The only way to re-enable Reset or SPIEN fuses on some older AVR chips like ATtiny13A, to allow them to be reprogrammed, is to use High Voltage programming (HVP) method. This was available on AVR Dragon, STK500 and STK600 but since these have been discontinued, there is a lack of suitable programmers.

So, what is now the best solution for AVR High Voltage Programming?

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