dinsdag 30 juni 2009

Hardware for programming the ZigBit's

I've read that there are multiple options for programming the ZigBit-module's:
1. via a serial-cable
2. via JTAG

I've found a cable which i'd bought for connecting a phone to my computer. Upon plugging-in it announces itself as an "USB Data Cable". Notice the bump in the USB-connector. It probably contains some type of Usb-Serial-chip. Be looking up the serialnumber: "WT048000317" i found that it probably uses the arkMicroChips "ark3116" chip.


http://www.bobhobby.com/2008/02/25/modify-usb-data-cable-to-use-with-microcontroller-projects/



Also I've found an "USB Link cable" which came with an X10-CM11 module. It announces itself as an "Prolific USB-to-serial Comm Port" device in Windows.


I also have the Sanguino laying around which might act as an in-between. Which reminds me. I also bought an accompanying cable with the Sanguino. Bingo! It annouces itself as an "USB Serial Port".

I will probably start out with programming the ZigBit's via the serial-method.

I just got into contact via Twitter with Aaron Steiner. He uses the Sparkfun RS232 Shifter. Ah ok! Note to self: check which TTL voltage the ZigBig-modules need. I'm unable to verify which the correct TTL voltage is from the datasheet of the ZigBit-modules. Until now i've been unable to find an answer, only the same question. Fortunatly Aaron had the answer which voltage to use: 3.0volt. So propably i'm unable to use one of the three cables i've got lying around, because they have 5.0volt as output.

I've looked around for some JTAG-interfaces which can be used for the ZigBits. Ofcourse Atmel sells their own AVR JTAG ICE MKII interfaces, but for a private person the pricing is too steep and will take the "hobby-factor" away. On Ebay i found two different JTAG ICE MKII clones, which are more nicely priced. For now i've decided to wait for the shipment of the ZigBit's. My options are clear for reprogramming the ZigBit's:
* Buy a USB -> Serial 3.0volt cable
* Buy an MKII clone from Ebay.

JTAG
I found a thread where somebody is trying to program an zigbit with USBProg.

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