Runtime communication with ATMEGA8515 via AVRISP2 with C++

[jonagik]

Hi,

Is it possible to communicate from a C++ application on my computer to an Atmel ATMEGA8515 via an AVRISP2? Can someone please point me in the right direction to find out how to do this?

I want to be able to read sensor states, etc from a microcontroller and perhaps display values on the user's computer.

Thanks in advance.

[waltr]

Is a AVRISP2 the programming tool?
If so then you wouldn't use it to for communication.

Instead use the UART in the Atmega and an RS232 level translator (like the MAX232) to connect to a PC COMM port.
Then from the C++ code open a COMM port to send/receive data.

[jonagik]

Do there exist devices that handle a USB connection with the computer so that I can send serial data from my computer to the microcontroller and vice versa?

[waltr]

Yes, there are USB to RS232 adapters available. When plugged into a USB port on a PC they enumerate as a serial COMM port.
Or build your own using an FTDI USB to Serial chip.

[jonagik]

Is it viable to programme a Mega8 to communicate directly via USB (i.e. using a couple of its I/O ports)? Presumably someone out there has written the necesary software for this?