AVR microcontrollers - how to get started?

Question

Microcontrollers

About 5 years ago, I worked a little with microchip controllers. Now I want to play a little with AVR controllers. Chose AVR because. the controllers themselves are cheaper and the programmers are cheaper.

I don’t have any COM and LPT ports on my computer or laptop, I need a USB programmer.
I looked in the store, there are inexpensive AVR910 USB and BM9010 programmers.

I plan to write in C. (Earlier, for peaks, the C compiler was paid, I don’t know how it is now, this is another reason for choosing AVR).

The task to begin with is to collect some kind of “hello world” thread.

Accordingly, there are several questions.
1) Which programmer to choose. AVR910 USB or BM9010
2) Do I need drivers for USB programmers, where can I get them? (Windows 7)
3) Which microcontroller to choose. Need a simple cheap one. maybe atmega8?
4) What software is needed for development? Writing a program in C and firmware. Is Atmel Studio Enough?
5) We need a simple circuit, for example, blinking an LED. Plug in a diode with a resistor and power without any problems, it just may be that there are some features of the in-circuit firmware.

Answer 1

Don't switch from PIC to AVR. Better study 32-bit microcontrollers. For example STM32, which is gaining great popularity. As a starter kit, I recommend the STM32 VL Discovery board . Habré already had an introductory lesson

Answer 2

1) Which programmer to choose - AVR910 USB
2) Do you need drivers for USB programmers - You need them, they are on the Internet next to the diagrams, Here
3) Which microcontroller to choose - AtMega8 or AtMega48 or AtMega88, also take AtTiny13 and AtTiny2313
4) What software needed for development? Atmel Studio is enough! For beginners, I would advise CodeVisionAVR, there are many examples and there is a code generator (to flash it)
5) We need a simple circuit - these are the
features of the in-circuit firmware - yes, it seems not.
PS Use Proteus, it's very useful.

Answer 3

I have been using the USBasp programmer for a long time. I found it cheaper. about in-circuit firmware - do not forget that the outputs used for programming can also be used for "peaceful purposes", just do not allow level conflicts.

Answer 4

As for the price, you are wrong. AVR, although the most common, is more expensive than analogues from other companies, and sometimes even more expensive than STM32.
Try an MCU from Texas Instruments. For example, the MSP430 series. For a quick entry into the platform, they have their own Launchpad prototyping board, similar to Arduino, only at a price of $ 4.5 including shipping. You can order at estore.ti.com
In addition, they actively send out free samples of almost any of their microcircuits, including MK, upon request. Atmel also seems to have such a feature, but I don’t know how well it works.

Answer 5

More information about Launchpad here . It has already been written about on Habré.
It is programmed with the help of ISP . USB cable is included. Also included are 2 microcontrollers.
Programming environments:

• Code Composer Studio on Eclipse
• IAR Workbench
• Arduino-like Energia

Answer 6

Yes, I agree with the first comment. For younger atmels from pics, perhaps for general erudition ... If you are friends with a soldering iron, then it's easier to assemble a dev-board for your tasks yourself, with a programmer and other delights ...

Answer 7

One answer can be given to the first three questions. I advise you to start by purchasing a debug board with a built-in debugger. An ISP programmer is also suitable, but for a beginner, JTAG will still be better. It will help save time. And what specific AVR controller will be there is not critical.
For development on AVR, the free AVR Studio with the same free GCC C compiler is enough.
At the expense of the last question and the in-circuit firmware, I did not catch it.
The main thing to remember is that during firmware with fuses it is better not to indulge.