View source for FTDI Programmer v1

This is a programmer board for use with a FTDI adaptor. This board connects to a computer via a FTDI/USB adaptor.



[[Image:IMG_0300_small.jpg | right]]

==Technical Specifications==
Currently known supported Micro Controller Units:<br>
Attiny85 <br>
Attiny45 <br>
Attiny13<br>
Attiny84<br>
Atmega328 <br>
Atmega168<br>
Atmega8<br>

Operates on 5Volts.

==Firmware==
The firmware used by the programmer is the sketch provided by the Arduino Example sketch ArduinoISP. See '''File | Examples | ArduinoISP.'''

==Usage==


===Connect the hardware===

Insert the MCU to program on the programmer board. Beware of the direction when the inserting the MCU. The small dot must be pointed toward the left of the board (opposite the leds).

Connect the Programmer board to the FTDI adaptor. '''Both grounds must be connected together'''.

Connect the FTDI adaptor to the computer with a USB cable.

Make sure the FTDI adaptor is set to operate on 5V.

Once all connected the Programmer board will show heartbeat with the green led.

===Initial Setup===

For anything below make sure '''Arduino as ISP''' is selected in '''Tools | Programmer''' menu.

===Upload Bootloader===

If programming an arduino MCU for the first time you must burn the bootloader onto it. For this first select the appropriate board in the Arduino IDE. '''Tools | Board '''.  
For example '''ATtiny85 @ 8Mhz''' or '''Arduino UNO'''.
Then select '''Tools | Burn Bootloarder'''.

===Upload Sketch (ATtiny)===

Open your sketch file with the Arduino IDE. Make sure you select the appropriate MCU type in '''Tools | Board'''. Upload the sketch from the IDE. 

[[How_to_program_an_Attiny85_or_Attiny84 | How to program an Attiny85 or Attiny84]]

===Upload Sketch (ATmega)===

Open your sketch file with the Arduino IDE. Make sure you select the Arduino UNO type in '''Tools | Board'''. Upload the sketch from the IDE using the '''Upload Using Programmer''' function found under the '''File''' menu.

Warning. Do not use the normal '''Upload''' function of the IDE as it will overwrite the main mcu sketch. This can be recovered by re-uploading the ArduinoISP sketch.

===Overwritten sketch===

The primary ATmega328 sketch could be inadvertently overwritten. This is an easy fix. You can recover its initial state by uploading the original sketch. 
To do so remove all secondary chips. In the Arduino IDE select '''File | Examples | ArduinoISP'''. Then make sure '''Tools | Board | Arduino UNO''' is selected. Then upload that sketch.


[[File:IMG_0476_small.jpg]]

==Related Article==

[[How_to_program_an_Attiny85_or_Attiny84 | How to program an Attiny85 or Attiny84]]

[http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm Drivers for the FTDI adaptor]