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DIY Microcontroller Programmer

For some electronics hobbyists, using an off-the-shelf microcontroller programmer just isn't sufficient to satisfy that inner geek. Building your own microcontroller programmer helps you improve your electronics skills while giving you the satisfaction of knowing that you can accomplish such a feat. Besides building upon your portfolio of capabilities, making your own programming board builds your confidence in your skills while affording you the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge about microcontroller programming systems that you would not have otherwise learned from a ready-to-use development kit.

Things You'll Need

Microcontroller programmer kit
Microcontroller
Solder
Soldering iron
Needle-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Programming software appropriate for microcontroller
Appropriate cable to connect microcontroller programmer to computer

Instructions

Producing the Microcontroller Programmer
- 1
  Review all instructions and schematics supplied with the microcontroller programmer kit. Be sure that all parts listed in the instructions are supplied before assembling the kit.
- 2
  Assemble the microcontroller programmer kit. Place each component into its respective place on the circuit board. Use the soldering and the soldering iron to make permanent connections between the components and the circuit board traces. You may need to use the pliers to bend some component leads so the respective component will fit into the circuit board. Clip all soldered leads with the wire cutters as close to the solder joint as possible.
- 3
  Install the microcontroller programming software. Since the software varies between software vendors, you will need to follow the instructions supplied with your specific programming software.
Testing the Microcontroller Programmer
- 4
  Insert a microcontroller into the programming board's socket. The method for placing this microcontroller into the board will depend upon the chip packaging, so pay careful attention to the location of Pin 1. Also, be careful not to force the chip into the socket or you might bend the pins.
- 5
  Connect the microcontroller programmer to the computer. Using the appropriate cable, connect it to the programming board and the computer. If the programming board requires a power supply, plug it into the board and then to an electrical outlet. Regardless of the design, your microcontroller programming board should be ready to download a program to the microcontroller.
- 6
  Write or load a simple test program. If you have a program already written, go ahead and load it according to the directions for using your specific program. Otherwise, write a simple program that outputs a logical 1 to all the outputs of one of the ports.
- 7
  Download the program to the microcontroller. Follow all directions carefully for this process so that you are able to properly test the downloaded program.
- 8
  Test the microcontroller. Using the programming board or some other external circuitry, even just a logic probe, test the microcontroller for the proper outputs. The ideal case would be that your programming board also has LEDs that can connect to one of the output ports to verify the correct output from the microcontroller.

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