bootloader protocol

Projects Programming
1

Can someone point me to where I can find the actual protocol used by the
IDE and bootloader when programming a sketch? I assume it involves the IDE
sending a data packet with specific header string, then waiting for a given
time period or an acknowledge from the bootloader, then repeating.

I've found buckoo info on how to program the chips, use the bootloader, burn
the bootloader, on and on, plus the source code for the bootloader, but not
a simple explanation of the protocol used. It must be somewheres. ????

TIA.

2

Google the STK500 protocol. Optiboot uses a stripped down version of it.

3

Thanks, that helps a little. I downloaded appnote AVR068: STK500 Communication
Protocol, and comparing with the Bootloader source code in file ATmegaBOOT_xx8.c,
it looks like the bootloader uses a lot simpler protocol. I guess I'll just have to muddle
through the C source to understand whats actually going on. Thanks.