ATMega88 basic board

Small project in KiCad.
ATMega88 with power supply, isp and rs232 connectors on first schematic.

Here in png file.

Module with max232.

Here in png file.

It’s good idea to make separate, small module for rs232 communication – it may be useful in other projects. You should think about rs232 connector pinout (between board and module). In this case it is possible to plug P2 (RS232) inversely – this may burn up your rs232 module and even com port or supplier.

I haven’t got max232 for 3.3 V power supply so I usually put 5 V regulator on rs232 module. As far as I remember ATMega88 tolerates 5 V on its inputs even when it’s powered with 3.3 V.
To launch this board you’ll need also stk200 programmer, it’s very simple and easy to google.
On this basic board you may run uart example. Of course you need to configure clock speed (fuse bits + uart registers)…

ATMega88 basic board – KiCad project.
AVR ATMega88 – KiCad lib.

Upcoming…

I’ve taken on to much things. Daily full-time job (which I shouldn’t write about) with some interesting new ARM microcontroller, motorcycle season approaching, some private things (which i definitely shouldn’t write about ;-)) and very short (three days) vacations…

Anyway I’m still alive. I’ve bought acceleration sensor MXA2500 and I’ve made it working on some prototype board with Atmega88. I’ve had to order new soldering tool, the old one is damaged (it was crap anyway). I’m trying to work with free Eagle software under Linux (to be frank – Eagle + qt looks ugly) so I hope you’ll see some simple diagrams here soon.

I’m starting work on my motorcycle alarm as soon as I get new tools. First I’ll put here some quickstart guide with simple prototype board diagram (ATMega88, some leds and MAX232 for UART), few words about AVR programming under Linux and Windows and some cruel facts about fuse bits. On this board you’ll be able to run example from previous post (Mega88, UART, C++).

In next step I’ll put here diagram (based on previous one) with MXA2500 and software which detects movement (pull or tilt).

Then I’ll have to think about connecting some noisy horn, make some “user interface” for turning the alarm on and off, power saving and some box (waterproof of course ;-)) to put everything into it.

After that point it could be only better, so maybe remote control, panic, notifying and so on…

So… stay tuned :-)