NEX AVR USB ISP STK500V2

NEX AVR USB ISP STK500V2

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 NEX AVR USB ISP STK500V2

Table of Contents
1 Introduction......................................................................................................................3
1.1 Compatibility Chart..................................................................................................3
1.2 Features.................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Supported AVR Microcontroller..............................................................................4
2 NEX AVR USB ISP STK500V2 Overview....................................................................5
2.1 ISP Connector Pin Details........................................................................................5
3 Driver Installation............................................................................................................ 6
3.1 Case 1: Installing drivers for STK500 CDC Mode..................................................6
3.2 Case 2: Installing drivers for HID mode ...............................................................16
3.2.1 Example Commands.......................................................................................19
4 STK500v2 GUI.............................................................................................................20
4.1 STK500v2 GUI Description.................................................................................. 21
4.2 Programming Microcontroller via STK500v2 GUI...............................................22
4.3 Loading bootloader file via STK500v2 GUI......................................................... 27
4.4 Fuse setting.............................................................................................................33
4.4.1 Fuse setting to enable BOOT RESET on AVR Microcontroller...................33
4.4.2 Fuse setting to disable BOOT RESET on AVR Microcontroller ..................34

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1 Introduction
NEX AVR USB ISP STK500V2 is a high speed USB powered STK500V2 compatible
In-System USB programmer for AVR family of microcontrollers. It can be used with
AVR Studio on Win XP platforms. For Windows7 and Windows10 it can be used in HID
mode with Avrdude command prompt as programming interface. Its adjustable clock
speed allows programming of microcontrollers with lower clock speeds. The programmer
is powered directly from a USB port which eliminates need for an external power supply.
The programmer can also power the target board from a USB port with limited supply
current of up to 100mA.

Note: The USB port of PC provides 5V DC. For 3.3V microcontrollers, please use
appropriate voltage regulators.
The compatibility with different windows platform is given in below table.

1.1 Compatibility Chart

AVR
Operating Avrdude
Studio GUI
System (HID)
(CDC)
Windows XP YES YES YES
Windows Vista X YES YES
Windows 7 X YES YES
Windows 10 X YES X
Table 1: STK500v2 Compatibility Chart

Note: If mode is HID, insert HID/CDC jumper (J2) and if mode is CDC, remove
HID/CDC jumper (J2).

1.2 Features
 Low cost USB compatible (No legacy RS232 required)
 Compatible with STK500V2
 Can be used with AVR Studio as STK500 programmer (only WinXP)
 Can be used with AVRdude on Win7/XP/Vista/Win10
 Jumper adjustable programming clock speeds for low clock speed
microcontrollers. Low speeds from 32 KHz to 1MHz are supported.
 Programs almost all AVR microcontrollers (Refer Table below)
 Jumper selectable HID/CDC mode.
 USB powered
 Jumper selectable 5V power supply for target boards
 Standard 10 pin (5x2) programming connector
 Power and programming activity indicator LEDs
 No external power supply required
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1.3 Supported AVR Microcontroller

AT90 tinyAVR megaAVR megaAVR contd.. xmegaAVR
AT90S1200 ATtiny2313 ATmega8515 ATmega3250P ATxmega128A1
AT90S2313 ATtiny2313A ATmega8535 ATmega3290 ATxmega128A3
AT90S2323 ATtiny11 ATmega48(P) ATmega3290P ATxmega128D3
AT90S2343 ATtiny12 ATmega8 ATmega32C1 ATxmega16A4
AT90S4414 ATtiny13 ATmega8(A) ATmega32HVB ATxmega16D4
AT90S4434 ATtiny13(A) ATmega88(P) ATmega32M1 ATxmega192A3
AT90S4433 ATtiny15 ATmega88(PA) ATmega32U2 ATxmega192D3
AT90S8515 ATtiny167 ATmega8HVA ATmega32U4 ATxmega256A3
AT90S8535 ATtiny22 ATmega8U2 ATmega32U6 ATxmega256A3B
AT90CAN32 ATtiny24 ATmega16 ATmega103 ATxmega256D3
AT90CAN64 ATtiny24(A) ATmega16A ATmega128 ATxmega32A4
AT90CAN128 ATtiny25 ATmega16HVA ATmega1280 ATxmega32D4
AT90PWM2 ATtiny26 ATmega16HVB ATmega1281 ATxmega64A1
AT90PWM216 ATtiny261 ATmega16M1 ATmega1284P ATxmega64A3
AT90PWM2B ATtiny28 ATmega16U2 ATmega128A ATxmega64D3
AT90PWM3 ATtiny44 ATmega16U4 ATmega128RFA1
AT90PWM316 ATtiny45 ATmega161 ATmega2560
AT90PWM3B ATtiny48 ATmega163 ATmega2561
AT90PWM81 ATtiny461 ATmega164(P) ATmega64
AT90USB646 ATtiny84 ATmega164(PA) ATmega644
AT90USB647 ATtiny85 ATmega162 ATmega644P
AT90USB1286 ATtiny88 ATmega168(P) ATmega644PA
AT90USB1287 ATtiny861 ATmega168(PA) ATmega645
AT90USB82 ATtiny861(A) ATmega165 ATmega649
ATmega165P ATmega640
ATmega169 ATmega6450
ATmega169P ATmega6490
ATmega1650
ATmega1690
ATmega32
ATmega32A
ATmega323
ATmega324P
ATmega324PA
ATmega328P
ATmega325
ATmega325P
ATmega329
ATmega329P
ATmega3250

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2 NEX AVR USB ISP STK500V2 Overview

Figure 2.1

Jumper Description
J1: If inserted, provides 5V at VTG (pin no.2) of ISP connector. If removed 0V at VTG
(pin no.2) of ISP connector. In default mode, this jumper is not inserted.
J2: If inserted, enables UBS HID mode. If removed enables USB CDC mode. In default
mode, this jumper is not inserted.

J3: If inserted, enables slow clock speed (for 32 KHz to 1MHz speed microcontrollers). If
removed enables normal clock speed. In default mode, this jumper is not inserted.

2.1 ISP Connector Pin Details

Figure 2.2

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3 Driver Installation
3.1 Case 1: Installing drivers for STK500 CDC Mode
Download software package from Nex Robotics website and unzip the contents on your
local drive. This zip file contains documentation, driver files and Avrdude software.

1. If connected, disconnect programmer from PC and remove HID/CDC jumper (J2).

Now reconnect programmer to PC and observe the task bar for “Found New Hardware”
message.

Figure 3.1

2. After identifying the hardware, the windows driver installation wizard should start.
Select “No, not this time” and click next to continue.

Figure 3.2

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3. Select “Install from a list of specific location” and click next to continue.

Figure 3.3

4. Browse to AVRUSBSTK500\Drivers directory and click next to continue.

Figure 3.4

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5. In the next window click Continue Anyway to proceed.

Figure 3.5

6. After successful installation of drivers following window will appear. Click finish to
complete the installation.

Figure 3.6

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7. To identify the COM port assigned to NEX AVR USB programmer, go to System
properties window. In the Hardware tab click Device Manager.

Figure 3.7
8. In the Device Manager, expand Ports tree and observe that NEX AVR USB
Programmer is installed at COM55. The COM port should be less than 4 for it to be
recognized by AVR Studio. To change COM port, double click on NEX AVR USB
Programmer.

Figure 3.8

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9. In the port settings tab Click Advanced.

Figure 3.9

10. In the Advanced Settings window select the appropriate COM port (less than or equal
to 4) and click OK. Ensure that the selected COM port is not in use by any other
application.

Figure 3.10

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11. In the next window, click Next to continue.

Figure 3.11
12. Right click anywhere in the device manager and click on “Scan for hardware
changes”.

Figure 3.12

13. After scanning is complete, observe that new COM port is assigned to the
programmer.

Figure 3.13

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14. Open AVR Studio from Start Menu. Click Con button on the tool bar to open
Connect Dialog.

Figure 3.14

15. In the connect dialog, select platform as STK500, select appropriate port and click
connect. If Connect Dialog reappears, then recheck that the COM port is available and try
again.

Figure 3.15

16. In the next window, click cancel to skip firmware upgrade.

Figure 3.16

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17. After clicking cancel, AVR Studio will open STK500 interface. In the main tab,
select the appropriate microcontroller and read its signature. Observe that the signature
matches the selected device.

Figure 3.17
18. In the Program tab, select the appropriate hex file and click program to load the hex
file in the microcontroller.

Figure 3.18

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19. The programming status can be observed in the bottom area of the window.

Figure 3.19
20. The Fuses tab can be used to set the fuse bits of the microcontroller. For appropriate
fuse bit values, refer microcontroller datasheet.

Figure 3.20
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21. The Lock Bits tab can be used to set the lock bits of the microcontroller. For
appropriate lock bit values, refer microcontroller datasheet.

Figure 3.21

3.2 Case 2: Installing drivers for HID mode (HID mode works on all
windows system)
1. If connected, disconnect programmer from PC and insert HID/CDC jumper. Now
reconnect programmer to PC and observe the task bar for “Found New Hardware”
message.

2. HID mode does not require additional drivers. It uses generic windows drivers.

3. Go to Device Manager and observe that new Human Interface Device (HID) is
installed. If there are other HID devices connected to PC, you may optionally identify
each device by viewing its properties.

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Figure 3.22

4. Before proceeding ensure that you have AVRDude.exe and AVRDude.conf on your
PC. These files are available in the zip file that was downloaded earlier from Nex
Robotics website.

5. Go to Start Menu>Run and type “cmd” to open command prompt.

Figure 3.23

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6. On the command prompt, type the path of the folder that contains avrdude.exe and
avrdude.conf files. For e.g. refer fig. below.

Figure 3.24

7. On the command line type the command as shown in the fig. below. Here -p m640
refers to the microcontroller part number. The last section after –U in quotes specifies the
location of hex file. In the command line edit the part number and hex file location as
required and connect the programmer to the target board using 10 pin FRC cable
provided with the programmer and turn ON the target board.

Figure 3.25

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8. Press enter. You should see the programming status in the command prompt window.
If there is any error, recheck ISP connection and command line parameters.

Figure 3.2

3.2.1 Example Commands

Eg 1. Transfer a file called example1.hex to a Mega128 device.

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U flash:w:example1.hex

Eg 2. Transfer a file called "example1.hex" present on Desktop to a

Mega128 device and change hfuse to 0xfe and lfuse to 0xdc.

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U flash:w:example1.hex –U

hfuse:w:0xfe:m lfuse:w:0xdc:m

Eg 3. Modify the contents of hfuse, lfuse and efuse of Atmega640

microcontroller

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m640 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U efuse:w:0xf7:m -U

hfuse:w:0xd7:m -U lfuse:w:0xff:m

Eg 4. View Avrdude's version number and other details.

avrdude -v
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Eg 5. Read the contents of the FLASH memory and store them in a file
called test1.hex

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U flash:r:"c:\test1.hex":i

Eg 6. Read the contents of the EEPROM memory and store them in a file
called test1.eep

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U eeprom:r:"c:\test1.eep":i

Eg 7. Read the contents of HFUSE and LFUSE and store them in files
hfuse.hex and lfuse.hex

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U hfuse:r:"c:\hfuse.hex":i

-U lfuse:r:"c:\lfuse.hex":i

Eg 8. Read the contents of HFUSE and LFUSE and EFUSE and store them in
files hfuse.txt and lfuse.txt and efuse.txt

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m640 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U efuse:r:"c:\efuse.txt":h

-U hfuse:r:"c:\hfuse.txt":h -U lfuse:r:"c:\lfuse.txt":h

Eg 9. Read device signature bytes and store them in a file called

sig.hex

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP –U

signature:r:"c:\signature.hex":i

Note: - The signature bytes are fixed for a specific AVR device

Eg 10. Read device lock bytes and store them in a file called lock.hex

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U lock:r:"c:\lock.hex":i

Eg 11.Read device RC oscillator calibration bytes and store them in a

file called calibration.hex

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP -U

calibration:r:"c:\calibration.hex":i

Eg 12. Erase the chip

avrdude -c stk500v2 -p m128 -P NEX-USB-ISP -e

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4 STK500v2 GUI
STK500V2 is a high speed USB powered STK500V2 compatible In-System USB
programmer for AVR family of microcontrollers. STK500v2 can be used with STK500v2
GUI, provided by NEX-Robotics, to program files on microcontrollers. STK500v2 GUI
can be downloaded from STK500v2 product page available on NEX-Robotics website.
STK500v2 has to be configured in HID mode to work with STK500v2 GUI.
The below figure shows the STK500v2 GUI.

Figure 4.1

The compatibility with different window platform is given in Table 1.

Note: To use STK500v2 GUI, use STK500v2 in HID mode.

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4.1 STK500v2 GUI Description

Figure 4.2

Microcontroller: - Select micro controller from the list of microcontrollers present in the
GUI to write file on them.
Exit: - Exit STK500v2 GUI.
Browse: - Browse the path of the file that you want to write on the microcontroller.
Program: - Program/Write selected file on microcontroller.
Erase: - Erase the file that is currently written on the microcontroller.
Verify: - Verify the currently loaded file on the microcontroller.
Clear: - Clear STK500v2 GUI window.
E Fuse: - Input proper extended fuse value from Table 2 or Table 3 to write the
microcontrollers fuse setting.
H Fuse: - Input proper High fuse value from Table 2 or Table 3 to write the
microcontrollers fuse setting.
L Fuse: - Input proper Low fuse value from Table 2 or Table 3 to write the
microcontrollers fuse setting.
Read: - Read the microcontrollers current fuse setting.
Write: - Write microcontrollers fuse setting.

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4.2 Programming Microcontroller via STK500v2 GUI

STK500v2 programmer can be used to program different microcontrollers like
ATmega2560, ATmega640, ATmega128, ATmega32, ATmega16 and ATmega8.
STK500v2 is provided with GUI to load/write hex file different microcontrollers with
ease. STK500v2 has to be connected in HID mode to work with STK500v2 GUI.
Follow the following procedure to load HEX file on AVR microcontrollers via
STK500v2 GUI.
1. Open Stk500v2 GUI. The following window shown below will pop up.

Figure 4.3

2. Connect STK500v2. In the bottom left of the GUI we can observe that the STK500v2
connection status has changed from “Disconnected” to “Connected” as highlighted in the
below figure.

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Figure 4.4

3. Select proper microcontroller and browse to the file that needs to be loaded on the
microcontroller as shown in the figure below. In the figure given below we have selected
Atmega2560 as microcontroller and IO_Interfacing.hex file to load on Atmega2560
microcontroller.

Figure 4.5
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4. Click on the “Program” button to write file on microcontroller. As the programmer starts
programming, on the bottom left corner of the GUI, a “Programming” text will start flashing.
This flashing text indicates that the programmer is programming the microcontroller.

Figure 4.6

5. Programming is completed when a “Done” text appears at the bottom left corner of the GUI.
Also after programming is completed we can check the device information on the GUI window
like Device Signature, number of bytes written on flash memory, Fuse setting Status, etc as
shown in the figures below.

Figure 4.7
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Figure 4.8
6. Clear the screen after programming is done to avoid confusion while loading a new file
as shown in the figure below.

Figure 4.9
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4.3 Loading bootloader file via STK500v2 GUI

Bootloader file provided by NEX-Robotics can be loaded on AVR microcontroller via
STK500v2.
Bootloader file may take approximately 15 – 20 minutes to load via STK500v2
Programmer. To use bootloading we need to first write proper Fuse setting before loading
bootloader file.
Follow the following procedure to load bootloader file.

1. Open Stk500v2 GUI. The following window shown below will pop up.

Figure 4.10

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2. Connect STK500v2. In the bottom left of the GUI we can observe that the STK500v2
connection status has changed from “Disconnected” to “Connected” as highlighted in the
below figure.

Figure 4.11

Note: Correct Fuse settings are done in the microcontroller before shipping out our
product. Do not change them unless you have very clear understanding of the fuse
settings. Below Figure shows the Fuse setting for ATmega2560 Microcontroller. This
information is only given for the reference.

3. Select proper microcontroller. Refer to Table 3 in section 2.5.2 for Extended, High and
Low fuse values. Iput proper fuse values in “Fuse Setting” to enable BOOT RST of the
microcontroller as shown in the figure given below. In the figure below we have choosen
Atmega2560 as microcontroller and E Fuse as “FD”, H Fuse as “DB” and L Fuse as
“FF”. This paticular fuse setting enables microcontrollers BOOT RESET functionality.

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Figure 4.12

4. Click on “Write” to write these fuse setting on the microcontroller as shown in the figure
below. If the fuse setting are properly written on the microcontroller, a “Done” text will be seen
at the bottom left corner of the GUI also in the GUI window a Fuse OK status will also be seen
along with a “done” text indicating that fuse setting has been written successfully.

Figure 4.13
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5. We can check the E Fuse, H Fuse and L Fuse details in the GUI window.

6. After writing and verifying the Fuse setting, clear the GUI window and select the
bootloader file. Click on “Program” button to start writing the file on the microcontroller.
It will Take approximately 15 – to 20 minutes to completely load the bootloader file. Do
not terminate the GUI during this time. “Programming...” text will be constantly flash
during this time at the bottom left corner of the GUI window.

Note: Time taken by STK500v2 programmer to load bootloader files on different

microcontrollers may differ according to the microcontroller. Bootloader file may take
approximately 15–20 minutes to load via STK500v2 Programmer on atmega2560 while it
will take 5–10 minutes in case of atmega 640. Till the “Programming” text is flashing, on
the bottom left corner of the GUI window (below Clear Option), it means that the
bootloader file is being loaded on the microcontroller. Donot cancel the programming if it
takes times.

Figure 4.14

7. After 15 – 20 minutes when the programming is done, a “Done” text will appear at the
bottom left of the GUI and in the GUI window the Fuse OK status and Programing Done
status will appear. All the details about the File and writing process can be seen on the
GUI window.

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Figure 4.15

8. Clear the GUI window before loading another file.

Figure 4.16
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4.4 Fuse setting

Use the following fuse values from the given tables to set the fuse setting in GUI.

4.4.1 Fuse setting to enable BOOT RESET on AVR Microcontroller

Use Fuse value from Table 2 to enable BOOT RST function of microcontroller

Development Microcontroller Microcontroller Boot Extended High Low

Board/Robot name according name in Size Fuse Fuse Fuse
ic Platform to AVRDude Stk500v2 GUI (E Fuse) (H (L
Fuse) Fuse)
Fire Bird V m2560 ATmega2560 2048 FD DA FF
ATMEGA m2560 ATmega2560 2048 FD DA FF
2560/
ATMEGA
2560 MINI
ATMEGA m640 ATmega640 2048 FD DA FF
640/
ATMEGA
640 MINI
ATMEGA m128 ATmega128 2048 FF DA FF
128
ATMEGA m128 ATmega128 1024 FF DC FF
128 MINI
ATMEGA 32 m32 ATmega32 1024 ---- DA FF
ATMEGA 16 m16 ATmega16 1024 ---- D8 FF
ATMEGA 8 m8 ATmega8 1024 ---- D8 FF
Table 2: Fuse setting for enabling BOOT RST fuse while writing microcontroller's
Fuse

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4.4.2 Fuse setting to disable BOOT RESET on AVR Microcontroller

Use Fuse values from Table 3 to write fuse setting without enabling BOOT RST finction
of the listed microcontrollers.

Development Microcontroller Microcontroller Boot Extended High Low

Board/Roboti name according name in Size Fuse Fuse Fuse
c Platform to AVRDude Stk500v2 GUI (E Fuse) (H (L
Fuse) Fuse)
Fire Bird V m2560 ATmega2560 2048 FD DB FF
ATMEGA m2560 ATmega2560 2048 FD DB FF
2560
ATMEGA m640 ATmega640 2048 FD DB FF
640
ATMEGA m128 ATmega128 2048 FF DB FF
128
ATMEGA m128 ATmega128 1024 FF DD FF
128
ATMEGA 32 m32 ATmega32 1024 ---- DB FF
ATMEGA 16 m16 ATmega16 1024 ---- D9 FF
ATMEGA 8 m8 ATmega8 1024 ---- D9 FF
Table 3: Fuse setting for microcontroller's without enabling BOOT RST while
writing microcontroller Fuse

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