RoboSavvy Forum

AVR Studio?

2007-01-27T02:51:15+01:00

Hmmm. Is it possible to program via SPI without destroying the bootloader? Or at the very least, can the bootloader be ripped via SPI for later restoration (say, for motion-data editing)?

I've been using AVRs for about a year and a half, but I've never actually dealt with a Mega128(*), or tried to coexist with a bootloader. I've always just configured AVR studio to connect to my AVRISP (or more recently, my Dragon), wipe the chip, and auto-upload the .hex and .eep files.

Does Robotis provide any command-line flash utils compatible with their bootloader? I know it's somehow possible to configure AVR studio to use thirdparty commandline utils (like Ponyprog) to upload, so if Robotis had something comparable, the same stunt would probably work with the CM5. Then again, if I can use SPI without killing the bootloader, I'd be pretty happy, too... it'd be a pain to have to figure out how to get the wires inside... but I have to admit, the bootloader upload feels like it takes an eternity to connect and upload. I miss having the whole ISP process run so fast, it's done before I even let go of the mouse button. On the other hand, with a serial bootloader, I could theoretically make the whole programming link wireless and dispense with the cable. Decisions, decisions...

(*)Tiny13, Tiny25, Tiny2313, Mega162, Mega32 (my first robot, w/barello.net AVR Controller 1.1), Mega168, and (sort of) Mega2561

Statistics: Posted by Miamicanes — Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:51 am

AVR Studio?

2007-01-27T00:32:03+01:00

Sure. I use AVR studio and WinAVR with my CM-2 (nearly identical to the CM-5) The bootloader isn't compatible with the loader built into either AVR studio or WinAVR. You just need to load your hex files with the robot terminal.
If you replace the boot loader it can be made compatible but the bootloader cannot be replaced via the serial port. The fuse bits are set to prevent that. You'll need to connect to the ATMega128's SPI port to replace the bootloader. There are a number of free bootloaders out there that are compatible. The down side is the bioloid software uses the bootloader to record the motion data to the on chip flash so if you replace the bootloader you will no longer be able to use the bioloid program to save sequences.

I hope this helps.

Statistics: Posted by Bullit — Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:32 am

AVR Studio?

2007-01-26T23:04:07+01:00

Has anyone managed to get the CM5 to cooperate with AVR Studio + WinAVR? I tried it last night, but it looks like Robotis' bootloader differs enough from Atmel's reference bootloader to not work. At least, not by default.

Alternatively, has anyone tried soldering a header onto J5 and programming via ISP?

Statistics: Posted by Miamicanes — Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:04 pm