bootloader

[Martin1512]

Hi,
can someone help me with choosing a right bootloader ?
Until yesterday I was using dapa programmer, but my new notebook doesn't support parallel so I have to upgrade to USB.
I made a research on USB programmers and cheapest costs like 40euro+(in my country).Then I found an bootloader tutorial(~20euro for TTL->USB adapter). 20e is big difference for me, so if someone could answer few questions i haven't succeeded to google:

1-How eficient is bootloader, I mean connection speed(somewhere on this forum I read that USB to UART is reeealy slow slow connection) is it true ?

2-Can you recommend me some boot loader(must be working under Linux )?

3- Can I connect to controller with avrdude or avrstudio ?

4- Can you send me some tested working schematics with USB -> UART adapter (perfect would be with no SMDs)

5-I know programmers have built in computer protection(from short circuit,...) does UART USB adapter have one ? If no, is it possible to add it ?

6- When I buy UART -> bluetooth adapter can i program my robot remotely ?

Thanks

[chelmi]

I may have missed something, but you will need a programmer to program the MCU with a bootloader.

[Martin1512]

Well I still have old PC and my dapa programmer, I can load bootloader with it(its neede just one), and then use just new PC with USB...

[dunk]

i recently mounted a project in a box with no hole for a hardware programmer but i do have a USB connection to a UART.
as a result i played with a few bootloaders for the first time.

one working option i found was the Linux version of Danni's bootloader on AVR freaks.
http://www.avrfreaks.net/index.php?module=Freaks%20Academy&func=viewItem&item_id=1008&item_type=project
and
http://www.avrfreaks.net/index.php?module=Freaks%20Academy&func=viewItem&item_id=1927&item_type=project

i don't how it compairs to other options but it works flawlessly for me.

if i remember correctly the AVR code needs to be compiled with Atmel's compiler rather than GCC. i can't remember now how i did that...
maybe i just used Wine.

the PC side code compiles under GCC.

answers to questions:
1. the bootloader actually uploads faster than my parallel port programmer.

2. see links above. (you'll need to log into AVRfreaks.net before you can view them.)

3. you won't need avrdude. there is a PC side bootloader client.
i don't know about avrstudio. i don't run windows.

4. no. all the USB -> UART chips i know are SMD.
try ebay for a cheap one.
eg: http://cgi.ebay.ie/USB-2-0-TTL-UART-6PIN-Module-Serial-Converter-CP2102-/170465922134?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item27b08f8c56

5. most USB -> UART boards will have inline resistors.

6. there's a thread on this forum about it. read that.


dunk.

[Pratheek]

You have not mentioned the microcontroller you are using. Most bootloaders are specific to a certain microcontroller and do not work on other microcontrollers(even of the same family)!

From your post, I guess you are using an AVR.

Take a look at the V-USB bootloader for the AVR. It is a USB bootloader for the AVR. Also consider building a USBasp. It is an open source USB based AVR programmer.
 
If you are looking for a serial bootloader, there is the AVR STK500 bootloader, which the Arduino uses quite effectively.

With a little tweaks to the bootloader code it is possible to program the microcontroller through a wireless link.

[Martin1512]

Dunk : Thanks a lot, you really helped me, I will try bootloader as soon as my USB UART adapter arrives It will take few days

Pratheek : I am using AVR ATmega MCU, today only ATmega32 and ATmega8 but for my future plans I wanna use bigger ones (640,2560...) so I need bootloader that works on most ATmega-s

[Admin]

Just to double up what Dunk said . . . I use Danni's bootloader on all Axons.

And a tutorial to use it:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/bootloader_50_robot.shtml