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Getting Started with the T Getting Started with the T Getting Started with the T Getting Started with the T- -- -Board Board Board Board
The T-Board modules were designed to speed up your AVR prototyping. This guide will show you
just how quickly you can get up and running with the Hello World for microcontrollers a blinking
LED.
Variants
There are three T-Board variants:
T-Board 328: a 28-pin version supporting ATmega8/48/88/168/328 microcontrollers
T-Board 24/44/84: a 14-pin version supporting ATtiny20/24/44/84/441/841
microcontrollers
T-Board 25/45/85: an 8-pin version supporting ATtiny13/25/45/85 microcontrollers
The T-Board 328 has two features not supported by the other variants:
An FTDI connection: The ATtiny microcontrollers dont have a hardware UART
External Crystal header pins for an optional crystal
Module Layout and Function

A. Power Connector: A standard 2.1mm centre-positive jack (DC,
max 9V)
B. Voltage Selection Jumper: Allows the microcontroller to
operate at either 5V or 3.3V
C. **FTDI Connector: Connect an FTDI breakout board for Serial
communication over USB
D. Reset switch
E. **Crystal header pins: Gives you the option of connecting an
external crystal
F. ICSP Connector: Connect an ISP programmer to program the
microcontroller
G. Power LED
**T-Board 328 only

What Software Should I Use?
The T-Board works with all AVR Integrated Development Environments, including WinAVR, Atmel
Studio and the Arduino IDE. We recommend Atmel Studio as it is simple to use, has advanced
debugging functionality, and supports the T-Board without any additional configuration. It does
however require Microsoft Windows.
If you dont already have Atmel Studio installed then youll need to download and install it.
Installation is straightforward, and covered on the Atmel website.
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Hello World Blink
For the Hello World project you will need:
1. 1 x T-Board
2. 1 x Breadboard
3. 1 x LED
4. 1 x Resistor (matched to the LED)
5. 1 x jumper wire
6. 1 x ISP Programmer
Step 1: Setup the Breadboard
1. Place the T-Board on the breadboard
2. Move the Voltage Selection jumper to the 5V position
3. Connect the jumper wire between GND and the negative power rail
4. Connect the resistor between an empty row on the breadboard and
a. PB0on the T-Board 328
b. PA5 on the T-Board 24/44/84
c. PB4 on the T-Board 25/45/85
5. Connect the anode of the LED to the resistor and the cathode to the negative power rail

Step 2: Write the Program
1. Create a new project in Atmel Studio:
a. Click the File menu, then New, then Project
b. Choose GCC C Executable Project, give the project a name, choose where to save it
and click OK.
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c. Choose the correct device:
T-Board 328: ATmega328P
T-Board 24/44/84: ATtiny 84
T-Board 25/45/85: ATtiny 85

2. Type the following code into Atmel Studio
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/*
* T_Board_Blink.c
*
* Created: 24/05/2014 11:54:26
* Author: Andrew Retallack, Crash-Bang Prototyping
*
*/

#define F_CPU 16000000UL //We are running at 16MHz. Used to time the delay

#include <avr/io.h>
#include <util/delay.h>

int main(void)
{
//Configure the LED port
DDRB |= (1<<DDB0); //Set Pin PB0 as an output pin

while(1)
{
PORTB |= (1<<PORTB0); //Turn the LED on, by making PB0 high
_delay_ms(1000); //Delay 1 second
PORTB &= ~(1<<PORTB0); //Turn the LED off, by making PB0 low
_delay_ms(1000); //Delay 1 second
}
}


If you are not using the T-Board 328 then change the above code to refer to the LED pin:
Existing T-Board 24/44/84 T-Board 25/45/85
DDRB DDRA DDRB
DDB0 DDA5 DDB4
PORTB PORTA PORTB
PORTB0 PORTA5 PORTB4

3. Compile the code
a. Set this to a release version (on the toolbar, look for a drop-down box that may say
Debug, Release or Configuration Manager. Select Release).

b. Press F7 to build the solution
c. There should be no errors
Step 3: Upload the Program to the T-Board
4. Connect the ISP programmer youll be using to the T-Board and Computer
5. Select the ISP Programmer that you will be using, by select the Project menu, then
properties
6. On the Tool tab, select the debugger/programmer youre using.
7. Upload the program to the T-Board: Click on Debug menu, then Start without Debugging
8. The LED should start blinking.
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9. If you like you can now disconnect the T-Board from the ISP programmer, and connect it to a
9V battery to operate in stand-alone mode.
Using the FTDI Connector
By connecting an FTDI breakout board or
cable, youre able to communicate with your
computer using the serial protocol.
The T-Board was designed to work with
Sparkfuns Basic FTDI breakout board, but can
be used with any (including the Elektor FT232R
USB/Serial Bridge) - just ensure the correct
pins are connected.
You can also use the FTDI breakout board to
program your T-Board, however this requires a
bootloader on your microcontroller. This is a
great way to program your board if youre using the Arduino IDE.

Additional Resources
Atmel Studio Documentation: http://www.atmel.no/webdoc/atmelstudio/index.html
Atmel Programmer: http://www.atmel.com/tools/AVRISPMKII.aspx
USBTiny Programmer: https://learn.adafruit.com/usbtinyisp or
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9825
Using Atmel Studio with a USBTiny Programmer: http://www.crash-bang.com/getting-started-
atmel-studio/
Atmel In-System Debuggers:
http://www.atmel.com/microsite/atmel_studio6/debugging_simulation.aspx
Sparkfuns FTDI Breakout: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9716
Arduino IDE: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
Atmel Studio: http://www.atmel.com/tools/ATMELSTUDIO.aspx

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