Breadboard Programming ATmega328p with Tiny AVR Programmer

Burning a bootloader to an ATmega328p using SparkFun's Tiny AVR Programmer[1][2]. These steps are all documented elsewhere, but not together in one place.

 

Preparing to burn the bootloader:

- Connect as in the photo[3][4]. A bare ATmega328 is likely to be shipped requiring an external 16MHz crystal. A pullup on the reset pin is required. An LED on pin 13 (which is also SCK) is optional.

- Install the Breadboard Arduino board config[5].

- Board > ATmega328 on Breadboard

- Programmer > USBTinyISP

After burning the bootloader with the 8MHz internal clock, the external crystal may be removed.

 

Uploading a sketch:

- Sketch > Upload using Programmer

The normal sketch upload button does not work (errors like "avrdude: ser_open(): can't open device").

 

[1] product www.sparkfun.com/products/11801

[2] instructions/pinout learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/tiny-avr-programmer-hookup-g...

[3] ATmega328 (and 168) pinout www.arduino.cc/en/Hacking/PinMapping168

[4] connection guide learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/installing-an-arduino-bootlo...

[5] under "Minimal Circuit" www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoToBreadboard

 

Done