Getting the ATmega8 to run our Program
We saw in our earlier posts, how to wire up the programmer and how to write a C Program. Now, let us see how to compile and download the program onto the device. gcc, as most of you may know, is a cross compiler. A cross compiler is usually used for off target compiling. Thus, a program can be compiled by gcc targeting any platform, not just the host platform. In short, eventhough gcc runs and compiles on a PC, it can be asked to compile for ATmega8. Thus, effectively, we can generate a hex file readable by the device; but not by the PC.
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A 101 on avr-gcc
The GNU/Linux offers a plethora of tools to program the ATmega8 efficiently and quickly. avr-gcc provides a port of the popular gcc compiler. This enables a newbie with basic knowledge in C to program the controller easily without the hassle of learning assembly instructions. Moreover, programming the controller in a middle-level language as opposed to assembly gives higher command over the code, but at a higher program size.
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Programming ATmega8
Its been almost a month since I last visited the ATmega8 I bought the other day. Yet, there it was sitting nicely beneath my PC stand, a bit dusty though. With renewed interest and vigor, I rebooted my attempts. This time, I was ready with all the required components. I left you in the previous article stating that I wired up the programming circuit; but I failed to mention the circuit used. Without further ado, here’s my programmer circuit.
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Eclipse
As even the most ignorant, illiterate creature may have known by now, we have a solar eclipse coming up tomorrow morning. The eclipse will begin in India from approximately, 05:31:13.6 AM and will last upto 07:14:12.6 AM. As we all know, the eclipse is making a buzz around the country; but we, keralites are not so lucky.
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Where was I ?
I think I owe my readers an apology. I was completely, totally absent for about a month in blogosphere and partially in twitterverse. There were abrupt and sometimes odd tweets flying apart from me. And, obviously, something big was happening. It has passed and I am back.
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