ATtiny13 programming adapter
(Last modified 18 Feb 2010)

I've used the AVR USB programming dongle (AVRISP mkII) for years and routinely design a 6-pin header in most of my projects.  But it just doesn't seem right to add a 6-pin header to a project that uses an 8-bit MCU.  Doing so basically doubles the size of the board for a functionality I will only use a few times during the debug phase.

The adapter shown below lets me plug the bare ATtiny13 (or similar) device into an 8-pin DIP socket, then hook up the AVRISP programming pod and push the code directly into the MCU.  I can then remove the device from the adapter's socket and plug it into the target board.

Instead of a schematic, I'm just providing a wiring table:
Socket (8-pin)
 Header (6-pin)
 Notes
1
 5
 *RESET
2
 N/C
3
 N/C
4
 6
 GND, - lead of 5 uf, 10 VDC cap
5
 4
 MOSI
6
 1
 MISO
7
 3
 SCK
8
 2
 Vcc, + lead of 5 uf, 10 VDC cap


Adapter, ATtiny13 to AVRISP mkII

Here is a closeup of the adapter.  I used wirewrap wire to connect an 8-pin wirewrap socket to a 6-pin male header, then clipped the excess leads from the socket.  I've used a 2.2 uf capacitor here, but nearly anything to about 10 uf will do.  Note that I marked pin 1 of the male header with a silver dot from a Sharpie pen (next to the leftmost yellow wire).

To use the adapter, plug the target ATtiny13 (or similar) device into the socket; observe orientation!  Plug the 6-pin male header (at the top of the photo) into the ISP's connector on the end of the ribbon cable; observe orientation!  Connect Vcc (3-5 VDC) to the + lead of the capacitor and GND to the - lead of the capacitor.  The ISP's LED should light green, showing that the programming module has recognized the MCU.  At this point, you just push the code or modify the fuses as you normally would.

The IC socket isn't rated for a lot of insertion cycles, but it should last plenty long enough for the number of times I will need to push code into an 8-pin AVR MCU.  If you want an adapter that will basically last forever, spring for a zero-insertion force (ZIF) socket.



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