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328 chip goes live

2 replies [Last post]
23 April, 2011 - 11:23
derek
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Glasgow, United Kingdom
Joined: 26 Oct 2009

We've been running an extended beta test program with the ATMEGA328 chip. All seems good, so as from today, all HAH kit orders will ship with this device.

The pre-programmed chip is also up there in the shop. It's a drop-in replacement for the current part (if you use RF devices, you will need to adjust your settings).

New features include better support for the I2C connected PPE chips and the 'Universal RF' capability. Universal RF allows different types of RF devices to be controlled from a single codebase.

Note that we're still experimenting with adding a bootloader to this device. 

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30 April, 2011 - 12:06
#1
kevin
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Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Joined: 17 May 2010
bootloader

Sorry if this is obvious or answered elsewhere but could you clarify the  "we're still experimenting with adding a bootloader" caveat.

If you get the current chip can you update it 'in situ' when later firmware is released or do you now / will always need additional cable hardware to reprogram ?

   K

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30 April, 2011 - 12:29
#2
derek
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Glasgow, United Kingdom
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
No bootloader = more cables needed

Until we can get time to sorting out placing a suitable bootloader into the 328 chip, an external programmer will still be needed (these aren't actually terribly expensive).

The bootloader itself isn't all that hard to do, but does need a little bit of work as the HAH pumps out a lot of data onto the serial port as it starts up. This might confuse some Arduino type bootloaders.  There are also a few fusebit changes needed on the chip.

Hope this helps to clarify.

Derek.

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