The article “My first AVR-USB” in the January 2010 issue of Elektor seems to have gone down very well with the AVR crowd, whether freaks, devotees, or just PIC haters. In the article, Antoine Authier discusses in upbeat tempo how to set up an Atmel AVR microcontroller for USB communication using AVR ‘communityware’ like Dean Camera’s LUFA, in conjunction with Atmel’s FLIP and other tools. Antoine has also crammed a number of updates and patches into a free download now available on the web page for the article.
Sure, tweaking C code and the nitty-gritty of AVR-USB hardware and software makes great reading BUT the real fun starts if you have the AT90USBKey evaluation board on your desk and connected up to the PC. That’s when you start hands-on exploring USB-on-AVR not relying solely on what the manufacturer tells you is best. In cooperation with Atmel Europe, Elektor are offering the AT90USBKey Evaluation Kit at just ₤17.90 / €19.95 / $29.00 (plus postage); heck that’s way below prices seen at all the large distributors.
Here’s a quick summary of the AT90USBKey Evaluation Kit features:
- MCU: AT90USB1287 with DFU bootloader
- On-board mini joystick
- Easy introduction to USB for AVR embedded technology, including USB hardware controller
- Introduction to designing USB HIDs and Composite Devices
- Lots of freeware utilities around (FLIP, LUFA)
- Fully Linux compatible
- Easily accepts software ported from other projects (e.g. Teensy)
Elektor’s stock of AT980USBKey Evaluation Kits is limited so the offer is strictly on a first come, first serve basis. Do not put this news item aside or on the (USB) stack. Be quick to order using the link below — this news item will be removed from the Elektor homepage if stocks are exhausted.