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[on:]

I bought an Arduino Pro Mini (5V / 16MHz version - http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8991) and a an Arduino Serial USB Board - http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8165.  I'm trying to make sure I hook it up correctly.  I'm not finding an actual guide to and trying to compare my hardware to the guide for the Arduino Mini (not the Pro) and the 3.3V FTDI Basic Breakout board for Arduino Pro Mini (3.3V / 8 MHz version).  Should I be able to connect my Pro Mini to the Power, Gnd, Tx, and Rx pins on the Arduino Serial USB Board and keep the Reset on the Pro Mini high?  I'm thinking so, but I'm getting cross-eyed staring at 6 different pages.  Any advice is appreciated.

[Reply #1 on:]

I'm also with the same problem right now. Have you had any luck yet?

[Reply #2 on:]

I haven't really looked at it yet.  I actually just got all the headers soldered on the other day, so I might just try it the way I was thinking.  If I get it to work, I'll post the details.  Have you tried anything yet?  If so, what?

[Reply #3 on:]

I was playing around with it last night without any luck.  I tried hooking it up similar to the instructions here - http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoMini.  When I first plugged the USB board in, XP couldn't find a driver, so I downloaded one from the FTDI site and that seemed to keep it from complaining.  I think it still wanted a drive for a USB Serial connection or something though, didn't figure out what it wanted though.

When the Arduino was powered, I got the constant red LED for power and the green LED on pin 13 started to blink.  The pattern was like it was driven with PWM and the duty cycle kept increasing until the light appeared solid, then repeated.  I tried hooking up the FTDI header at the top of the board instead of the pins on the side.  I hooked up the power, gnd, TX, and RX pins, but that didn't work.  I also tried hooking up DTR to 5V, then to ground, but that didn't do anything either.  When I tried programming, I couldn't get anything to work, obviously.  When I checked the serial ports, it only showed 2, but I have more USB ports than that.  Neither worked for any configuration I tried, of course.

I just bit the bullet and ordered an FTDI breakout board from SFE, so hopefully it'll get here soon and I won't have to dick with it anymore.  If you figure it out, I'd be curious how you did it.  Know of anyone who needs a spare Arduino USB board?

[Reply #4 on:]

I hooked up the power, gnd, TX, and RX pins, but that didn't work.

That's not enough pins:  you also need RTS,  because the code on the PC that downloads to the Arduino uses that to do a "software-controlled reset".

You can still use that board to communicate with an Arduino after it's programmed.  Since you'll probably find yourself with more than one Arduino,  you should hold on to the board and use it in a future project.

Ran

[Reply #5 on:]

you also need RTS

According to the schematic it is the DTR line that performs the auto reset function.

[Reply #6 on:]

I think from past testing with a scope that the Arduino IDE pulses both DTR and RTS when it wishes to auto reset the attached board, so you can use either one.

Lefty