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Getting Started with the TGetting Started with the TGetting Started with the TGetting Started with the T----BoardBoardBoardBoard The T-Board modules were designed to speed up your AVR prototyping. This guide will show you

just how quickly you can get up and running with the Hello World for microcontrollers a blinking

LED.

Variants There are three T-Board variants:

T-Board 328: a 28-pin version supporting ATmega8/48/88/168/328 microcontrollers

T-Board 24/44/84: a 14-pin version supporting ATtiny20/24/44/84/441/841

microcontrollers

T-Board 25/45/85: an 8-pin version supporting ATtiny13/25/45/85 microcontrollers

The T-Board 328 has two features not supported by the other variants:

An FTDI connection: The ATtiny microcontrollers dont have a hardware UART

External Crystal header pins for an optional crystal

Module Layout and Function

A. Power Connector: A standard 2.1mm centre-positive jack (DC,

max 9V)

B. Voltage Selection Jumper: Allows the microcontroller to

operate at either 5V or 3.3V

C. **FTDI Connector: Connect an FTDI breakout board for Serial

communication over USB

D. Reset switch

E. **Crystal header pins: Gives you the option of connecting an

external crystal

F. ICSP Connector: Connect an ISP programmer to program the

microcontroller

G. Power LED

**T-Board 328 only

What Software Should I Use? The T-Board works with all AVR Integrated Development Environments, including WinAVR, Atmel

Studio and the Arduino IDE. We recommend Atmel Studio as it is simple to use, has advanced

debugging functionality, and supports the T-Board without any additional configuration. It does

however require Microsoft Windows.

If you dont already have Atmel Studio installed then youll need to download and install it.

Installation is straightforward, and covered on the Atmel website.

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Hello World Blink For the Hello World project you will need:

1. 1 x T-Board

2. 1 x Breadboard

3. 1 x LED

4. 1 x Resistor (matched to the LED)

5. 1 x jumper wire

6. 1 x ISP Programmer

Step 1: Setup the Breadboard

1. Place the T-Board on the breadboard

2. Move the Voltage Selection jumper to the 5V position

3. Connect the jumper wire between GND and the negative power rail

4. Connect the resistor between an empty row on the breadboard and

a. PB0on the T-Board 328

b. PA5 on the T-Board 24/44/84

c. PB4 on the T-Board 25/45/85

5. Connect the anode of the LED to the resistor and the cathode to the negative power rail

Step 2: Write the Program

1. Create a new project in Atmel Studio:

a. Click the File menu, then New, then Project

b. Choose GCC C Executable Project, give the project a name, choose where to save it

and click OK.

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c. Choose the correct device:

T-Board 328: ATmega328P

T-Board 24/44/84: ATtiny 84

T-Board 25/45/85: ATtiny 85

2. Type the following code into Atmel Studio

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/* * T_Board_Blink.c * * Created: 24/05/2014 11:54:26 * Author: Andrew Retallack, Crash-Bang Prototyping * */ #define F_CPU 16000000UL //We are running at 16MHz. Used to time the delay #include #include int main(void) { //Configure the LED port DDRB |= (1

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9. If you like you can now disconnect the T-Board from the ISP programmer, and connect it to a

9V battery to operate in stand-alone mode.

Using the FTDI Connector By connecting an FTDI breakout board or

cable, youre able to communicate with your

computer using the serial protocol.

The T-Board was designed to work with

Sparkfuns Basic FTDI breakout board, but can

be used with any (including the Elektor FT232R

USB/Serial Bridge) - just ensure the correct

pins are connected.

You can also use the FTDI breakout board to

program your T-Board, however this requires a

bootloader on your microcontroller. This is a

great way to program your board if youre using the Arduino IDE.

Additional Resources Atmel Studio Documentation: http://www.atmel.no/webdoc/atmelstudio/index.html

Atmel Programmer: http://www.atmel.com/tools/AVRISPMKII.aspx

USBTiny Programmer: https://learn.adafruit.com/usbtinyisp or

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9825

Using Atmel Studio with a USBTiny Programmer: http://www.crash-bang.com/getting-started-

atmel-studio/

Atmel In-System Debuggers:

http://www.atmel.com/microsite/atmel_studio6/debugging_simulation.aspx

Sparkfuns FTDI Breakout: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9716

Arduino IDE: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

Atmel Studio: http://www.atmel.com/tools/ATMELSTUDIO.aspx