Anyone using this microcontroller?

Question

Is anyone here using the Atmel AVRmega series controllers, and how popular are they? They can be found here:

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Looks like these chips feature massive amounts of Flash ROM, EEPROM, and SRAM memory. A huge amount of I/O pins (dependong on model), 8 and 16 bit timers, analog comparitors, A/D converters, two wire serial interface, SPI, multiple UARTS, and other features.

Seems that the software development environments are free too. Those can be found here as a download:

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Looks pretty interesting, and depending on what you get, the chips can be had from between $5 and $15 at most parts retailers like Digi-Key.

So, what do you guys think?

Ed LeBouthillier · Accepted Answer

On Tue, 06 Jul 2004 07:29:40 GMT, Daniel Rudywrote:Yeah, they're great. I'm programming up a Mega32 right now as I type.The in system serial programming feature is great, their architecturesare powerful.The GCC compiler is good because it also supports C++ programming.That means I can do object-oriented software development on mylittle microcontroller.I love them.Cheers,Ed L

Pete Gray · Answer

They're great. Grab the STK500 board (and maybe a 501/2 too), and you're good to go. Studio 4 GUI / Assembler is free. I'm looking for a few more beta testers for the StatiC compiler (dual-methodology), so if you're interested, give me a shout.

Thanks,

-Pete.

Brian Dean · Answer

> Yep.  Check out the boards I make that use the ATmega128:       mega128 is currently the largest ATmega chip, but Atmel has beenpromising an ATmega256 for over a year now.I mostly use open source programming tools with these - gnu gcc ccompiler, gdb debugger, avrdude programmer (I am the author ofavrdude).Some of the things here might be a bit dated, but for a synopsis ofthe tools available, see:     lots of AVR related information, tools, products, etc, see:    I love the ATmega8 - hits the sweet spot for a single-chip solutionw/regard to amount of flash (8K), ram (1K), speed (16 MIPS), andperipherals (UART, I2C, SPI, A/DC, hardware PWMs, timers, etc, etc).And at around $3.00 from Digikey for an easy to use 28-pin DIP, itcannot be beat.I _always_ have some of these in my parts box. :-)-Brian

Daniel Rudy · Answer

And somewhere around the time of 07/06/2004 06:50, the world stopped and listened as Pete Gray contributed the following to humanity:

I called Digi-Key and they had the STK500 for $79.00. I ordered it. I'll be getting it Friday. Thanks for the suggestion.

Chris S. · Answer

> They're my micros of choice. The mega32 is usually more than enough for most of my applications. I use the Procyon AVRlib for C encapsulations of the most common features, AVRGCC for C code compilation (the WinAVR distro specifically), and the SP12 programmer for in circuit programming. All are free and open source. Atmel's IDE is pretty nice, but ironically, once I found these other tools, I've rarely used it. Granted, it's probably the way to go if you want to use simulation or an out-of-circuit programmer.

Alex Gibson · Answer

"Daniel Rudy">Yup, use some here.Good robotics board avr butterfly  is a small "starter" kit from atmelstk500  is worth getting if your going to use avr's for a whileCheap boards  don't forget theprogrammer as well Programming optionsassembly - use avr studio from atmelc - winavr  gcc port avr demo -  compiled basic other links  big list ofprojects  avr + ethernetBut if you think thats a massive amount of flashtake a look at these  128kB flash 64kB ram  256kB flash 16kB ram onlyAlex Gibson

Anyone using this microcontroller?

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