Summary of Arduino FTDI Header using ATmega8 microcontroller
This article guides users in building a custom adapter to program bootloaded AVRs or Arduino Lilypads without purchasing expensive pre-made cables. By using basic electronics supplies, the project creates a wiring harness that connects an FTDI interface to the TX, RX, Reset, 5V, and GND pins of an Arduino. The author details the specific soldering steps required to map the FTDI header pins correctly to the Arduino's connection points, ensuring a functional serial programming solution using readily available materials.
Parts used in the Custom AVR Programmer Adapter:
- 5 Wires
- 6 Pin Female Header
- 6 Male Header Pins (broken into sections of 4 and 2)
- Solder
- Electrical Tape
- Fine Tip Permanent Marker
Step: 1 Materials
Not much is needed at all for this. The only materials you need are:
-5 Wires
-6 Pin Female Header
-6 Male Header Pins, broken into sections of 4 and 2
-Solder
-Electrical Tape
And the only tools you need are:
-Soldering Iron
-Wire cutters
-Hemostats help a lot with holding the wire in place
-Fine Tip Permanent Marker
Step: 2 Soldering: Part I
Solder your 5 cables to the header. I used red cables for the data and white for everything else. On the leftmost (or rightmost if you’re turned the other way) side, connect the ground wire to both of the terminals on the end. Once you’re done, wrap in electric tape and label it with the marker. Make sure to keep the cables aligned.
Step: 3 Soldering: Part II
Now it’s time to solder the other side. On the leftmost pin of the 4 pin male header (the one that was broken off of the 6 pin header) connect the RTS wire. This will be the reset pin on the Arduino. Skip the second-leftmost terminal and solder the third pin to VCC. Solder the rightmost pin to the wire for GND/CTS.
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On the 2 pin header (the other part of the 4 pin), solder the left pin to TX and the right pin to RX.
Once complete, the pins will be laid out like so:
FTDI Header Pin = Arduino Pin
GND = GND
CTS = GND
VCC = 5V
TX = TX
RX = RX
RTS = Reset
On the 2 Pin header, you may want to label which is the TX and which is the RX (I learned the hard way)
For more detail: Arduino FTDI Header using ATmega8 microcontroller
- What is the purpose of this project?
The project allows users to program bootloaded AVRs or Arduino Lilypads by building a custom adapter instead of buying expensive pre-made cables. - How many wires are needed for the build?
You need exactly 5 wires to complete the adapter construction. - Which pins on the Arduino does the adapter connect to?
The adapter plugs into the RX, TX, Reset, 5V, and GND pins on the Arduino. - What tools are recommended for holding the wire in place?
Hemostats help a lot with holding the wire in place during the soldering process. - How should the male header pins be prepared?
The 6 male header pins must be broken into sections of 4 and 2. - What color coding did the author use for the cables?
The author used red cables for the data lines and white for everything else. - Which wire connects to the RTS pin on the FTDI header?
The RTS wire connects to the leftmost pin of the 4-pin male header section. - Does the CTS pin connect to power or ground?
The CTS wire is soldered to the terminal connected to GND.
