The USBasp is a popular USB-based programmer for Atmel (now Microchip) AVR microcontrollers. It is an open-source hardware and firmware project originally developed by Thomas Fischl. The device allows users to program AVR microcontrollers via ISP (In-System Programming) interface using a standard USB connection, without requiring special hardware like expensive development programmers.
AC-PG-USBASP USBASP AVR Programmer
USBasp is a USB in-circuit programmer for Atmel AVR controllers. It simply consists of an ATMega8 and a few passive components. The programmer uses a firmware-only USB driver, no special USB controller is needed.
USBASP Pinout
Features
1. Interface: USB 2.0 (Full Speed)
2. Target Connection: 10-pin or 6-pin ISP header
3. Supported Devices: Almost all AVR microcontrollers with ISP interface (e.g., ATmega, ATtiny families)
4. Programming Voltage: Supports both 5V and 3.3V targets (via jumper or regulator)
5. Firmware Upgradeable: Programmer firmware itself can be updated via another USBasp
6. Clock Frequency Options: Slow SCK option for programming targets with low clock speeds (<1.5 MHz)
7. Driver Support: Works with libusb drivers on Windows/Linux/macOS
8. Open Source: Both hardware schematics and firmware are freely available
Some of the key features include:
a. Works under multiple platforms. Linux, Mac OS X and Windows are tested,
b. Programming speed is up to 5kBytes/sec, and
c. SCK option to support targets with low clock speed (< 1,5MHz).
IPS2 – 6 pin SIL
The 6 pin ISP connection provides an alternative to the standard 10 pin IDC connector. The board provides 6 holes where a single row header, polarised header or other connector can be mounted.
The pinout is shown in Figure 3.
1 (VCC +5V)
2 (MOSI)
3 (SCK)
4 (MISO)
5 (RESET)
6 (GROUND)
Applications
1. Flashing Bootloaders into Arduino boards (e.g., ATmega328P)
2. Programming AVR microcontrollers directly (without bootloader)
3. Updating firmware on custom AVR-based embedded systems
4. Educational use in learning microcontrollers and embedded systems
USBASP Atmega Circuit
Supported Microcontrollers
AT89S8252 AT90S2343(L) ATMEGA168(V) ATMEGA649(V)
ATTiny12(L) AT90S1200(L) ATMEGA169(V) ATMEGA6490(V)
ATTiny13(V) AT90S8515(L) ATMEGA169P(V) ATMEGA128(L)
ATTiny15(L) AT90S8535(L) ATMEGA32(L) ATMEGA1280(V)
ATTiny24(V) ATMEGA48(V) ATMEGA324(V) ATMEGA1281(V)
ATTiny25(V) ATMEGA8(L) ATMEGA325(V) ATMEGA2560(V)
ATTiny26(L) ATMEGA88(V) ATMEGA3250(V) ATMEGA2561(V)
ATTiny2313(V) ATMEGA8515(L) ATMEGA329(V) AT90CAN32
ATTiny44(V) ATMEGA8535(L) ATMEGA3290(V) AT90CAN64
ATTiny45(V) ATMEGA16(L) ATMEGA64(L) AT90CAN128
ATTiny84(V) ATMEGA162(V) ATMEGA640(V) AT90PWM2(B)
ATTiny85(V) ATMEGA163(L) ATMEGA644(V) AT90PWM3(B)
AT90S2313(L) ATMEGA164(V) ATMEGA645(V)
AT90S2323(L) ATMEGA165(V) ATMEGA6450(V)
Datasheet Manual Download:
