Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Software => Software => Topic started by: congo509 on December 26, 2009, 02:50:27 PM

Title: $50 robot
Post by: congo509 on December 26, 2009, 02:50:27 PM
hi all, this is my very first post.
I have read everything on the form and still having a few problems with my $50 robot.
I am done with the electrical and I am at the point of attempting to program the atmega8, I have AVrisp mkII.
this is the error I keep getting

Setting mode and device parameters.. OK!
Entering programming mode.. FAILED!
Leaving programming mode.. OK!


I have messed witht the ISP freq. but still lost.
Please help out a rookie
thank you
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: Joker94 on December 26, 2009, 06:04:23 PM
Ok, i had the same message when i was trying to program my mega8 before i found out the chip was deadbrickedd/fried. Dont start to worry about that just yet though, you will get that message if something is not connected with your electronics or there  is something like a short.

Steps for checking your circuit board and power.

1, Check your battery is hooked up right  and the connectors are snug and not lose.
2, Check there are no breaks in your power cable, if you are not sure replace it( that is what happened with me)
3,Check all of your connections solders and wire connections
4,Check there are no solder bridges between pads
5,use a multy meter and check the power buses to make sure your board is recieving power.

and with most programmers your power needs to be pluged in for you to be able to program.

i know it must seem mind boggling but always take as many precusion and check and recheck your circuit

good luck and report back with your progress
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: congo509 on December 26, 2009, 07:16:15 PM
Thank you for your timly response.
 I have noticed your troble shooting is geared around the power or a short.  I was confused on the battery wiring part.  The tutorial offeres many options for the power source.  Obviosly I am using the 6 pin header with the programmer I am using. I have Enclosed 4 AA Battery Holder (with On/Off switch) so this provides 6v, then I have a 9v battery as well.  This is the wiring digram I used.

 http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=3292.0 (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=3292.0)          this PDA file on first post.

Would this be my problem do I have it wrong and am I way off or am I ok?
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: Joker94 on December 27, 2009, 05:06:12 AM
That is the same digram i used ;D

The reason i mention the power connection is that is what the entire board relys on. And i have recently had the same problem and ironicly when trying to program got the same error message as you did.

the reason i also metioned short was the fact that a short is a common problem in many circuits.

So did you or have you tested the power buses, solder pads connected unintentinally and the like

good Luck

Joker94
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: congo509 on December 27, 2009, 11:44:53 AM
I know this started out as a software/programming question but It seems to evolve into an electrical issue.  I guess that is robotics and how both work hand in hand. So sorry for having this under soft wear.  I did the testing of continuity and voltage with the ATmega8 out. This is what I have, based on the diagram I mentioned above.  The battery measures 9.1 v that is from battery all the way to the underside of the soldering all the way up to the regulator.  After the regulator it is 4.98 v all the way to the sensor bus, all the way up to the LED. Here is where I may have an issue on one lead it is 4.98 on the other side it fluctuates and my multimeter is auto and can not settle. Would this mean I have a bad LED have it backwards, or is this normal.  Thank you so much for giving me time to deal with my issue. I am so close to it being done.
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: Joker94 on December 27, 2009, 06:42:56 PM
to check if it is backward or not check that the flat side of the LED is facing the resistor or the if you want to put it another way, the pin on the side of the LED with the flat side is connected to the resistor.

Here is the go about your error you posted, it has found the circuit board so it is not the programmer and from there it points towards the circuit.

do you have any spare mage8 MCUs, if you do don't plug it in untill we have elimenated all possible faults with the circuit.

good luck

Joker94
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: congo509 on December 28, 2009, 08:18:32 AM
I do not have a extra ATmega8 I tried to buy more but they were out at DigiKey.com.  Do you maybe know the part number for the ATmega168 to Digikey.com.  I will take whatever chip will work with this set up and program that has been written by the host of the website.  I may have to start over with the whole circuit and be a little more cleaner with the soldering and wiring.  This is why I want to go with Digikey I already will be ordering everything to do another board.  I have learned so much thus far with this project.  Thank you for your help.   
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: SmAsH on December 28, 2009, 08:22:06 AM
Digikey part number for atmega168 ATMEGA168-20PU-ND
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: congo509 on December 28, 2009, 09:43:59 AM
Thank you so much, you guys have been so much help.  I will get back to you all after I build another board a little cleaner now that I have had practice and know what I am doing kinda..lol 
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: congo509 on December 29, 2009, 11:28:39 AM
New parts are on their way, I bought 2 atmega168 this time.  I will get back to all of you once I have it all neatly put together. 
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: Joker94 on December 29, 2009, 07:15:11 PM
sounds great.

good luck

Joker94
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: congo509 on January 03, 2010, 09:56:38 AM
Got all the parts in on Saturday and spent the evening soldering everything together.  I found a few errors I made with the first board due to being messy.  I have leaned to be much neater with the whole project and take my time.  The board worked first time plugged it into laptop hit program and in a second all was ok.  I even used the ATmega8.  Thank you so much for all your help Joker94 and SmAsh
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: SmAsH on January 03, 2010, 04:40:30 PM
So programming went well?
If so have you got the robot hooked up yet?
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: congo509 on January 03, 2010, 11:12:23 PM
yes program worked well, now to start learning how to modify the code and get comfortable with programming.
Title: Re: $50 robot
Post by: Joker94 on January 04, 2010, 12:33:11 AM
great work and well done

keep it up

Joker94