Getting Started with AVRs: A Parts List
People often ask me for my recommendation of what to get started with for programming AVRs or microcontrollers in general. Below I’ll give a quick list of things that, if purchased, would make a great starting place for general AVR programming.
Many people have heard of Arduino. It is an AVR based platform with standardized I/O and form factor. It goes with a software stack on top that makes programing easy. Too easy, IMHO. The list that I provide below will include an Arduino base board. This is because it can be used for generic AVR programing as well without using the extra software stack. Because of its popularity, the economies of scale make it an inexpensive starting place.
Arduino Pro 3.3v/8mhz base board – $19.95
USB Programmer - $14.95
USB to TTL serial board 3.3v – $13.95
breakaway headers – $2.50 (get a few of these)
colorful jumper wires – $3.95
breadboard – hopefully you already have one of these … the arduino pro will plug right into one
Total – about $55
The parts I’ve chosen are for 3.3v. This is because most of the things that I interface with are 3.3v and I like to run my stuff off of 3.6-7v lipos directly. 5v versions are available also.
Teensy 2.0 with pins – $21.00 (usb programmer built in)
http://pjrc.com/store/teensy_pins.html
3.3v regulator – $1.00 (allows the board to do 3.3V instead of 5V logic)
http://pjrc.com/store/mcp1825.html
USB Cable – $5.00 (requires slightly less common usb cable)
http://pjrc.com/store/cable_usb_mini_b.html
Sparkfun jumper wires – $3.95
Breadboard
Total – about $30.95
Savings – about $24.05
pjrc.com provides examples for both arduino IDE and c/c++ programming! Not quite as easy be close! The Teeny++ version has more flash, sram, and pins for a few $ more.