Board is low-cost start for AVR MCU projects

Available from DT Electronics, Atmel has introduced a GBP 26 development board as a low cost entry point for users of the AVR family of microcontrollers.

Available from DT Electronics, Atmel has introduced a GBP 26 development board as a low cost entry point for users of the AVR family of microcontrollers.

Despite the low cost, there is no significant compromise in performance or functionality between the RoHS-compliant AVR Dragon and similar tools in the GBP 500 to GBP 1000 price range.

The AVR Dragon supports all programming modes of 8bit AVR devices and on-chip debugging of devices with 32Kbyte or less Flash program memory.

In-system and board programming and debugging are supported.

Programming can be via JTAG, parallel port, or high-voltage serial interfaces.

Signal lines are level converted and have both over-voltage and short circuit protection.

A four-layer, epoxy printed circuit board ensures good signal integrity.

Powered via a USB cable, the AVR Dragon can provide a regulated 5V at 300mA supply to the target system for programming or debugging.

Where the target uses another external power source the board will convert signals to the appropriate levels.

AVR Dragon uses the AVR Studio IDE tool suite, which is available free of charge.

AVR Studio includes a simulator, assembler and C compiler.

It is also the software front-end for all Atmel AVR debugging and programming tools.

A flexible and secure firmware upgrade feature allows AVR Studio to easily upgrade the AVR Dragon to support new devices free of charge.

AVR Studio can be downloaded from the Atmel website.

Back to top