Programming the BrainBoard
The ATMega8L Brainboard
Atmel STK-500 Programming Interface:
The STK-500 is a handy, inexpensive interface
board from Atmel that lets you program practically
all Atmel microcontrollers. This brainboard
interfaces with it via the “ISP10PIN” header. Match
up the “Pin1” lines with the red stripe on the cable,
and
make sure
the motor enable switch is off. If
you don’t, the STD-500 will try to power up the
motors.
Using “GCC” sourcefiles from Solarbotics.com,
open “Sumovore_2.aps” into the AVRStudio
programming suite. “Sumovore_2.c” and
“Sumovore_2.hex” will automatically open.
Turn on the STK-500, and click the “CON”
(connect) button, which looks like a small IC chip.
In the pop-up window, you’ll want to make sure the
following settings are in place:
Under the Program tab:
Device = ATmega8
Programming Mode = ISP w/checks in both boxes to the right
Flash = (click the "..." button and load the Sumovore_2.hex file)
EEPROM = (not being used at this time)
Under the Fuses tab:
Checks should be in the following boxes:
Serial programming enable will be grayed out with a ? in the box.
Boot Flash size = 1024
Brown out detection = 2.7v
Int. RC Osc. 8Mhz 6CK + 64ms
To program the Brainboard, click on the “Program” tab. The “Flash” section has a
“Program” button - click it, and watch the green LED on the brainboard flicker as
the code loads into the microcontroller. Shut off the STK500, remove the cable,
re-enable the motors, and power up the robot!
If the robot is activated on a black surface, it will chase a huge Japanese guy
around the ring*, if it's on a white surface when powered up it follows a black
line.
*Huge Japanese Guy not included with kit. They cost too much to ship.