Home > Products > AVR micros for USB applications allow direct in-system programming

Micros

AVR micros for USB applications allow direct in-system programming

18th April 2007

ES Admin

0 0

Available from Nu Horizons, Atmel’s latest 8-bit AVR micros, dubbed the AT90USB82 and AT90USB162 feature a 12 Mbits/s controller and 8 or 16 Kbytes of memory respectively. The memory can be programmed in-system directly through the USB interface and on-chip EEPROM of 512 bytes enables parameters to be set without interference to the application. This simplifies manufacturing, cuts costs and reduces equipment size because the programme can be loaded at the end of the production line without the need for a dedicated in-system programming connector. Programming takes under 0.15s for 4KB and under 0.5s for 12KB. Communication with external components is via an SPI and UART interface and a 100mA on-chip voltage regulator can also power companion devices such as RF transceivers for wireless adapters or laser sensors for high-performance mice.

The new devices are available in 32-pin packages, including a tiny 5 x 5 mm QFN package. Despite the small size packages, they offer 21 general purpose IOs that can be used to detect interrupts. This avoids the need for multiplexing techniques or more expensive workarounds to overcome interrupt pin limitations of other USB controllers. Fast wake up times are achieved with low power consumption through a finely stepped sleep and watchdog timer. The devices operate from a 2.7 to 5.5V input.

The AT90USBKEY Demo Kit is a fast-start option and evaluation and debugging tools are also available now. The ATSTK526 Development Kit can be used in stand-alone form to demonstrate HID, communication device class (CDC) and mass storage. It can also be used as an extension to the generic STK500. The JTAGICE mkII and AVR Dragon can connect to the starter kit for in-system programming and emulation through on-chip debug resources (OCD). All of the kits are available ex-stock from Nu Horizons.