First, install the packages (avr-gcc, binutils etc) for compiling/linking AVR programs in Mac OS X. I followed the instruction here: Programming an AVR microcontroller

Afterward, it is time to start my first led program in C.

I decide to use PB0 as led output, I connect the PB0 to Led0 on STk500 to start this testing program quickly.

#include <avr/io.h>
#define F_CPU 120000
#include <util/delay.h>
int main (void)
{

// set PB.0 as output pin

DDRB  = 0x01;

// set PB.0 to output high

PORTB = 0x01;

while (1) {

PORTB ^= 0x01;

_delay_loop_2(65535);

}

}

Compile the program:

avr-gcc led_blink.c -o led.elf -mmcu=attiny13

Convert the elf format to hex format for flashing to the Tiny13:

avr-objcopy -O ihex led.elf led.rom

Prepare avrdude for Mac to flash program and find out the serial port device name on your Mac OS X. I am using usb2serial adapter, the serial port device is /dev/cu.usbserial and connected to stk500 RS232 CTRL port with the serial cable provided in stk500 kit.

avrdude -p t13 -c stk500v2 -P /dev/cu.usbserial -e -U flash:w:led.rom

If it programs successfully, you will see the LED0 is flashing on STk500 board.

The STK500 comes with a manual with all the instructions for programming the AVR processors. The only problem is that I want to use it to program the AVR tiny13 which is not yet ready when the time the manual was printed. After searching on the web, I found out that the instructions are ready on the help page of the latest AVR Studio for Windows. Finally, I can program my AVR tiny13 with STK500. I am using my Mac to program the AVR tiny13, so I better write it down here. Hope it may help you also.

Step 1 – Place the ATtiny13 (DIP) to the SCKT3400D1.

Step 2 – Connect the ISP6PIN socket to SROG1 with the 6-pin cable provided.

Step 3 – Connect the PORTE/RST to PORTB/PB5 and also PORTE/XT1 to PORTB/PB3. I used the 2 pin cables provided, it is a bit lossy.

I bought the STk500 at once when I saw the promotion from Atmel in the year 2007. It was only $49, only the cost of AVR dragon but together with the STK500! It is really a good beginner kit, I want to start with Atmel AVR and particularly the ATtiny processor series, the STK500 is very helpful indeed. It comes with one Atmel 8bit processor(ATMEGA8515L), serial cable, ISP cable (6-pin), and few 2-pin cables for fast prototyping. It can be used to program wide range of the Atmel 8-bit processors, together with Leds, switches for testing your programs on the STK500 board. The only drawback is that you have to use a serial port for programming which is mostly not present in modern computer or notebook, but a usb2serial adapter may help to resolve this problem even on my Mac. The AVR dragon is cool, but for a lazy guy like me that don’t want to construct a socket and also involving many soldering works, I rather stick on the STK500 for my home projects.

STk500/AVR dragon unbox photos

#1 – Arrived.

I ordered from DIGI-key, and this combo kit is marked as out of stock at that time. I back-order the kit and it came faster than I expected.

#2 – STk500 + AVR Dragon

#3 – Close look of AVR Dragon

I want to make something simple, small and elegant for my lover’s birthday. Finally I come up with using 5×7 dot matrix led to make a flower vase, it can be used to display some text messages for her:)

Here are the components:

1. 5×7 dot matrix led
2. Atmel AVR tiny13
3. 2 x 74HC595 shift register with Latch
4. 2 x wooden prototype boards
5. 1 x coin battery holder
6. 1 x CR2032 coin battery (3V)
7. 3 x paper flowers
8. semi-transparent brown mud (from Franc Franc)
9. Switch for turning ON/OFF

I want to make things small, so I put the 5×7 dot matrix led horizontally and used the 5×4 dot matrix font, such that it can nearly display 2 characters at a time. For the MCU part, AVR Atmel tiny13 is a very small MCU, it is quite suitable for this kind of small application. The only problem is that it has limited IO pins, I have to use 2 x 74HC595 chips to extend the output pins, so I can driver 5×7 dot matrix led with only 3 IO pins, i.e. Clock Data, Latch.

Sorry for not posting any circuit digram, as I make it in hurry. After I spend a lots of time soldering the lines linking between the leds and the shift registers, here is the circuit board:

Then, I program the AVR Tiny13 with the STK500, the socket on the prototype board is a DIP socket, so I program the Tiny13 on STK500 and then put it back on the board to test. After several hours, the software is done.

Let’s put all the things together! I really love the effect when putting the led matrix in the transparent mud, the brown color is a good match.

Video demo:

Lastly, don’t forget the packing!

Hope you all may find useful.

Please also check out the notes by bitartist, including schematic & source codes:

http://www.bitartist.org/2009/02/led-flower-vase-supplementary-note.html