ABC Atmel AVR Mini Development Board

The ABC Mini Starter Kit is based on Atmel's AVR AT90S8535 RISC microcontroller. ABC is an acronym for AVR Basic Controller.

The Starter Kit includes everything you need to get started developing with Atmel AVR microcontrollers. The ABC Mini included in the Starter Kit is a single board computer with the form of a 40 pin DIL package. You can plug the ABC Mini board into a 40 pin DIL socket in your own circuit board, use it standalone or expand it into a flexible training and prototyping system using our various optional Add-On Boards. All optional add-on modules are either available as individual boards or combined into one cost saving package, the ABC Atmel AVR Educational Workshop. The ABC Mini Atmel AVR Starter Kit includes a BASIC compiler, which allows you to develop your code using the easy-to-learn BASIC programming language. You can program the AVR on-board device in-system with the ABCEdit programming software and connect to a PC's serial port (RS232), thanks to on-board RS232 level shifters and the AVR's built-in UART.

This user friendly software interfaces with ALL of the required tools on the ABC Atmel AVR Boards to enable you to get started quickly without a time consuming learning curve. You can download a trial version of ABCEdit here.

If you feel that a more powerful system is needed we suggest you look at the ABC Maxi Board, the ABC Mini's big brother.

Silicon Chip magazine has a feature and write-up of our new ABC Boards: Hotchip? Do you want a drink with that - February 2000 issue Hotter Hotchips - New Mirco Development Board - July 2000 issue

Technical Specifications

Microcontroller

• Atmel AVR AT90S8535
• Clock Speed - 8 MHz

Memory

• 8Kb of In-System Programmable Flash (1000 write/erase cycles)
• 512 bytes of internal SRAM
• 512 bytes of EEPROM

Peripherals

• Two 8 bit Timer/Counters with 32768 Crystal for Real Time Clock
• One 16 bit Timer/Counter
• Programmable Serial UART
• 8 Channel, 10 Bit Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC)
• 32 Programmable I/O Lines

Special Features

• External and Internal Interrupt Sources
• Real Time Clock (RTC)
• Power Saving Modes
• Operating System - No built-in operating system or monitor, all resources are available to the user
• Supply Voltage: 9Vdc / 200mA (we recommend a regulated power supply Order Code PSU443)

Connectors and Functions

• PP3 Battery Clip Power Connector to supply power to ABC Mini (9-12V / 200mA DC)
• Serial (RS232) Connector to PC. Standard 9 way straight through cable is used. Only pins 2,3 and 5 are used. On board TTL/RS232 level converter. Plug the other end into serial port of PC
• Programming Connector for In-System Programming. Plug the other end into programming adapter connected to parallel port of PC.
• All signals are available directly connected to pins of AT90S8535 via the solder pads arranged in a 40-pin 0.6" DIL connector footprint.
• For pin assignment see schematic diagram included with the software download below.

Physical Dimensions

• ABC Mini comes in a form of 40-pin 0.6" DIL footprint and can be plugged into your circuit or function as standalone. Approximate size 70 x 20 x 10 mm.

Additional Information

• ABC Mini Data Sheet
• Atmel AVR AT90S8535 Data Sheet
• Software Downloads
• Silicon Chip Magazine Review

ABC Mini Starter Pack (Order Code ABCMINISP)

The ABC Mini can be purchased as a 'Starter Pack' containing:

• One pre-assembled ABC Atmel AVR Mini Board
• One parallel and one serial leads for connection to your PC
• ABC Mini Quick Start Guide
• CDROM containing:
  • AVR Edit Basic Controller / Inline Assembler Software on CDROM for Windows 95, Windows '98, Windows ME and NT featuring an Assembler, BASIC compiler and in-system programmer. A DOS version compiler is also supplied.
  • Help Files
  • ABC Mini and Maxi schematics and PCB layout diagrams
  • Sample programs
  • Details of the ABC Internet Support Group / Users Forum

The pre-assembled ABC Atmel AVR Mini Boards are also available separately (Order Code ABCMINIB).