Summary of Minimalist AVR programmer
The author designed a minimalist AVR programmer, reducing the size of a vusbtiny project to 12mm x 28mm. The schematic closely follows the original design but includes an LED and resistor for power indication. To test bare USB pads, a Mini USB socket was added as a backup. Most components are SMD 0805, excluding the programming header. Boards were manufactured by Seeed Studios Fusion, and software from simpleavr or kerhibar is compatible.
Parts used in Minimalist AVR Programmer:
- vusbtiny programmer
- LED
- Resistor
- Mini USB socket
- SMD components (mostly 0805 sized)
- Programming header
- Attiny 45 or Attiny 85 microcontroller
I always like a challenge, so when I saw [simpleavr]s vusbtiny programmer, I started to wonder how small I could make an AVR programmer. All in all I’m pretty pleased with the result.
The schematic is almost the same as the original one. I only added a LED an resistor to indicate a proper power supply.
Since I wanted to try a simple USB connector made only with some bare pads on the PCB, I also added an additional Mini USB socket just to have at least one working connection.
Except for the programming header I used only SMD components, mostly 0805 sized. The board itself is 12mm x 28 mm, the width was dictated by the size of the USB connector.
The boards were made by Seeed Studios Fusion service and came out great. The bare USB connector works reasonably well, if you add some material to the back of the PCB. Some electrical tape works well, hot glue might also be a good choice.
For the software, the original code from simpleavr works great, or if you use an Attiny 85 instead of the 45, the code from [kerhibar]s great little wire project should also work.
For more detail: Minimalist AVR programmer
- How small can I make an AVR programmer?
The author successfully made one measuring 12mm x 28 mm. - What modifications were made to the original schematic?
An LED and a resistor were added to indicate a proper power supply. - Why was an additional Mini USB socket included?
To provide a working connection while testing a simple USB connector made only with bare pads. - What size are the SMD components used on the board?
Most SMD components are 0805 sized. - Who manufactured the boards for this project?
The boards were made by Seeed Studios Fusion service. - How can I secure the bare USB connector?
You can add material to the back of the PCB using electrical tape or hot glue. - Which software works with this programmer?
The original code from simpleavr works great, or code from kerhibar if using an Attiny 85. - Can I use an Attiny 85 instead of an Attiny 45?
Yes, the code from kerhibar should work if you use an Attiny 85.
