Home | Projects | Contact Thomas Fischl

ISPnub - Stand-alone AVR In-System-Programmer Module

ISPnub is a simple to use stand alone programmer intended for flashing AVR controllers in the field directly in the
target system or during production. The module has only one button and two leds as user interface.
Features
No external power supply needed. Uses voltage provided by target (1.8V to 5.5V).
Programming counter. Limit possible programming cycles. After allowed cycles, no further programming is
possible (module has to be erased/reprogrammed).
One-button-programming: connect - push button - wait for red led off.
Simple LED schema:
green on = ok
green blink = counter expired
red on = programming
red blink = error
Define programming with simple script. Script converter generates HEX file for module.
Load module with any ISP programmer which supports ATmega1284p
120kB memory space for programming data
Usage
Before ISPnub can flash controllers, it has to be flashed itself with the programming instructions.
1. Preparing: Load programming instructions into ISPnub
A programming script defines with simple commands the steps for the programming process. This method is very flexible and can be adopted for
almost all AVR controllers. See the ISPnub Programming Script Manual. The sequences for serial programming are described in the datasheet of the
specific AVR microcontroller. Here is a example of a simple programming process ("test.ispnub"):
CONNECT 2000000 ; connect with SCK = 2 MHz
SPIVERIFY 0x30, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x1E ; check signature byte 0x00 (0x1E = manufactured by Atmel)
SPIVERIFY 0x30, 0x00, 0x01, 0x00, 0x93 ; check signature byte 0x01 (0x93 = 8KB Flash memory)
SPIVERIFY 0x30, 0x00, 0x02, 0x00, 0x07 ; check signature byte 0x02 (0x07 = ATmega8 device)
SPIWRITE 0xAC, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00 ; chip erase
WAIT 2 ; wait 20 ms
FLASH ../test/main.hex, 0, 64 ; flash given hex file starting at flash address 0 with pagesize 64
DISCONNECT ; disconnect SPI
DECCOUNTER 10 ; allow 10 programming cycles
END
Clock switching and EEPROM writes can also be realized with ISPnub. Here is an enhanced example which uses such features: example.ispnub.
The hex file for the ISPnub is generated with a Java tool (see download section):
java -jar ISPnubCreator.jar test.ispnub ispnub.hex
Now the "ispnub.hex" can be flashed with your favorite programmer (e.g. USBasp) into the ISPnub module. Set the jumper on the ISPnub while
programming (and don't forget to remove the jumper after flashing!). Here is an example which uses avrdude and USBasp:
avrdude -c usbasp -p atmega1284p -U hfuse:w:0xD9:m -U lfuse:w:0xE2:m -U flash:w:ispnub.hex -U lock:w:0x3C:m
... ISPnub is now ready for stand-alone flashing.
2. Flashing: Program target controllers
Using the prepared ISPnub is very easy. Just follow these steps:
Connect ISPnub to target (ISPnub is powered from target!)
Green LED is on, if ISPnub is ready
Press button -> programming starts. While programming, green and red LEDs are on.
On success: green LED is on, red off.
On error: red LED blinks. Press button to start new programming cycle
Download
To use ISPnub, just one tool is needed: ISPnubCreator. It generates from programming instructions a hex file for the ISPnub. The tool is written in
Java and can be used on many different platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac, ..).
ISPnubCreator_v1.2.jar (2014-04-10; 9,9 kB) Skip blocks with 0xff, added EEPROM command
ISPnubCreator_v1.1.jar (2014-04-03; 8,3 kB)
ISPnubCreator_v1.0.jar (2013-06-14; 14,7 kB)
ISPnub - Stand-alone AVR In-System-Programmer Module - fischl.de 4.8.2014.
http://www.fischl.de/ispnub/ 1 / 2
ISPnub PCB (3x)
12,90
incl. 19% VAT excl. 2 shipping
Order ISPnub-PCBs now!
The source code is hosted on Github: ISPnubCreator and ISPnub firmware.
Hardware
Schematic
The main component of ISPnub is an ATmega1284P.
Partlist
Partnumber Value Reichelt Mouser
C1, C2 100n X7R-5 100N 80-C0805C104K5R
IC1 ATmega1284P-AU ATMEGA 1284P-AU 556-ATMEGA1284P-AU
JP1 2pol 2,54mm MPE 087-1-002 571-826936-2
LED1 LED0805 red SMD-LED 0805 RT 604-APT1608SURC
LED2 LED0805 green SMD-LED 0805 GN 604-APT2012SGC
R1 10k 1/4W 10K 603-SR0805JR-0710KL
R2, R3 1k 1/4W 1,0K 71-CRCW0805-1.0K-E3
S1 Switch TASTER 9314 693-1301.9314
X1 10pol WSL 10W 517-N2510-5002RB
M1 Jumper JUMPER 2,54GL SW 517-9691020000DA
Links
Regarding ISPnub:
ISPnub Programming Script Manual
Top view of ISPnub pcb and parts
Reichelt Bauteil Warenkorb zu ISPnub v1.1 (part list for ISPnub)
Other AVR programmers with stand-alone function:
AVRISP SA2 - Stand Alone 2 Series
AVR-ISP500-TINY
Arduino Stand-alone Programmer Kit
Standalone programmer for other microcontrollers:
PicKit Programmer-to-go (for Microchip PICs)
1998 - 2014 Thomas Fischl Imprint/Impressum
ISPnub - Stand-alone AVR In-System-Programmer Module - fischl.de 4.8.2014.
http://www.fischl.de/ispnub/ 2 / 2