“AVR device not responding” When this discouraging message appears while you’re programming your Atmel microcontroller, that’s where the problems really begin! The problem is often due to incorrect programming of the fuse bits. This is where the unblocking probe comes into play… Once the whole thing is powered up, all you have to do is use one hand to apply the tip of the probe to the microcontroller’s XTAL1 input and then use your other hand to go ahead and program it with your favorite software. And there, your microcontroller is saved!
The electronics are as simple as can be, the aim being to design something cheap and easy to reproduce. It consists of an oscillator generating a rectangular wave at around 500 kHz, built using a 74HC04. This circuit will also work with a 74HC14, but depending on the make of the IC the frequency of around 500 kHz may vary by around ±50 kHz. This doesn’t affect the operation of the probe.
The unblocking board is connected using a ribbon cable, terminated with two female HE10/10 connectors. The pinout of the HE10/10 connector is the same as used in the majority of circuits, but of course, it can be adapted for an HE10/06 connector.
The first connector is connected to the board to be unblocked, which allows powering of the electronics. The second connector is connected to the ISP programmer (STK200 compatible). The contact at the crystal is made using a needle, to ensure contact even through a board that has been varnished. There’s no need to unsolder the crystal for this operation.
The PCB design in Eagle format is available from [1].
Internet Link
[1] www.elektor.com/110374
- Output Drive Capability: 10 LSTTL Loads
- Outputs Directly Interface to CMOS, NMOS, and TTL
- Operating Voltage Range: 2.0 to 6.0 V
- Low Input Current: 1.0 A
- High Noise Immunity Characteristic of CMOS Devices
- In Compliance With the JEDEC Standard No. 7A Requirements
- ESD Performance: HBM 2000 V; Machine Model 200 V
- Chip Complexity: 60 FETs or 15 Equivalent Gates
- These are Pb−Free Devices
