AVR Microcontroller Fuse Bits Configuration. Creating and Uploading in the Flash Memory of Microcontroller the LED Blinking Program Using Atmega

In this case we will create simple program in C code and burn it into the memory of the microcontroller. We will write our own program and compile the hex file, using the Atmel Studio as the integrated development platform. We will configure fuse bits and upload hex file into the memory of the AVR ATMega328P microcontroller, using our own programmer and software AVRDUDE.

AVRDUDE – is a program for downloading and uploading the on-chip memories of Atmel’s AVR microcontrollers. It can program the Flash and EEPROM, and where supported by the serial programming protocol, it can program fuse and lock bits.

Step 1: Writing Program and Compile the Hex File, Using the Atmel Studio

If you don’t have Atmel Studio, you should download and install it: https://www.microchip.com/mplab/avr-support/atmel-…

This project will use C, so select the GCC C Executable Project option from the template list to generate a bare-bones executable project.

Next, it is necessary to specify which device the project will be developed for. This project will be developed for the AVR ATMega328P microcontroller.

Type the code of program in the Main Source Editor area of Atmel Studio. The Main Source Editor – This window is the main editor for the source files in the current project. The editor has spell check and auto complete features.

1. We must tell compiler at what speed our chip is running to that it can calculate delays properly.

#ifndef F_CPU 
#define F_CPU 16000000UL // telling controller crystal frequency (16 MHz AVR ATMega328P) 
#endif

2. We include the preamble, which is where we put our include information from other files, which defines global variables and functions.

#include <avr/io.h> //header to enable data flow control over pins. Defines pins, ports, etc.  
#include <util/delay.h> //header to enable delay function in program

3. After the preamble comes the main() function.

int main(void) {

The main() function is unique and set apart from all other functions. Every C program must have exactly one main() function. Main() is where the AVR starts executing your code when the power first goes on, so it’s the entry point of the program.

4.Set pin 0 of the PORTB as output.

DDRB=0b00000001; //Set PORTB1 as output

We do this by writing a binary number to the Data Direction Register B. The Data Direction Register B allows us to make the bits of register B input or output. Writing a 1 makes them output, while a 0 would make them input. Being that we are attaching an LED to act as output, we write a binary number, making the pin 0 of PORT B as output.

5. Loop.

while (1) {

This statement is a loop, often referred to as the main loop or event loop. This code is always true; therefore, it executes over and over again in an infinite loop. It never ceases. Therefore, LED will be blinking in an infinity, unless power is shut off from the microcontroller or the code is erased from program memory.

6. Turn on LED attached to port PB0

This line, gives a 1 to the PB0 of PortB. PORTB is a hardware register on the AVR chip that contains 8 pins, PB7-PB0, going from left to right. Putting a 1 at the end gives a 1 to PB0; this sets PB0 high which turns it on. Therefore, the LED attached to pin PB0 will turn on and light up.

7. Delay

_delay_ms(1000); //creates a 1-second delay

This statement create a 1-second delay, so that the LED turns and stays on for exactly 1 second.

8. Turn off all B pins, including PB0

PORTB= 0b00000000; //Turns off all B pins, including PB0

This line turns off all 8 Port B pins, so that even PB0 is off, so the LED turns off.

9. Another delay

_delay_ms(1000); //creates another 1-second delay

It turns off exactly for 1 second, before starting the loop all over again and encountering the line, which turns it back on, repeating the process all over. This happens infinitely so that the LED constantly blinks on and off.

10. Return statement

  }
  return (0); //this line is never actually reached
}

The last line of our code is a return(0) statement. Even though this code is never executed, because there is an infinite loop which never ends, for our programs that run on desktop computers, it’s important for the operating system to know whether they ran correctly or not. For that reason, GCC, our compiler, wants every main() to end with a return code. Return codes are needless for AVR code, which runs freestanding of any supporting operating system; nevertheless, the compiler will raise a warning if you don’t end main with return().

The final step is the building the project. It means compiling and finally linking all object files to generate the executable file (.hex) file. This hex file is generated inside the folder Debug which is inside the Project folder. This hex file is ready to be loaded into the microcontroller chip.

Step 2: Changing the Default Configuration of the Micro Controller Fuse Bits

It is important to remember that some of the fuse bits can be used to lock certain aspects of the chip and can potentially brick it (make it unusable).

There are a total of 19 fuse bits that are used in the ATmega328P, and they are separated into three different fuse bytes. Three of the fuse bits are contained in the “Extended Fuse Byte”, eight are contained in the “Fuse High Byte,” and eight more are contained in the “Fuse Low Byte”. There is also a forth byte that is used to program the lock bits.

Each byte is 8 bits and each bit is a separate setting or flag. When we talk about setting, not setting, programmed, not programmed fuses we are actually using binary. 1 means not set, not programmed and a zero means set, programmed. When programming the fuses you can use binary notation or more commonly hexadecimal notation.

ATmega 328P chips have a built in RC oscillator which has a 8 MHz frequency. New chips are shipped with this set as the clock source and the CKDIV8 fuse active, resulting in a 1 MHz system clock. The startup time is set to maximum and time-out period enabled.

# ISPProgv1
programmer
  id    = " ISPProgv1";
  desc  = "serial port banging, reset=dtr sck=rts mosi=txd miso=cts";
  type  = "serbb";
  connection_type = serial;
  reset = 4;
  sck   = 7;
  mosi  = 3;
  miso  = 8;