Custom PCB Arduino Nano Clone - Programmer not responding

Using Arduino Avrdude, stk500, Bootloader issues
1

Hello All,

I'm new to PCB design and just created a PCB based on the Arduino Nano schematic. All parts of the PCB work correctly (I have tested the same circuit with a real arduino nano), except uploading code via USB.

My Mac recognizes the PCB as an arduino when I plug it in, as I have successfully burned the bootloader via USBasp. I can also program the PCB with USBasp. However, my PCB needs to communicate with a laptop via USB and when I attempt to upload code through the Arduino IDE, I get the following error:

    Using Port                    : /dev/cu.usbserial-1410
    Using Programmer              : arduino
    Overriding Baud Rate          : 115200

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00

My suspicion is the error is somewhere with the CH340C or reset capacitor (C10).
As a side note, I was unable to upload my schematics as I am a new user, so here is a link to them in google drive. I've also added my gerber files and pictures of the PCB.

Other Notes:

  • After programming through USBasp, I can still read output on the USB serial line and send input to the PCB (even though USB cannot program the board).
  • I have 2 LEDs on pins A2 and A3. When I upload a blink program to them, I can observe the MCU gets reset when programming through USB as the LEDs temporary turn off.
  • If I upload a program that counts on the serial line, the error changes and comes in much quicker.

Code:

int x=0;
int delayTime = 1000;
  
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  pinMode(A2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(A3, OUTPUT);  
}

void loop() {
  delay(delayTime);
  digitalWrite(A2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(A3, HIGH);
  Serial.println(x);
  x++;

  delay(delayTime);
  digitalWrite(A2, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(A3, LOW);
  Serial.println(x);
  x++; 
}

Error:

         Using Port                    : /dev/cu.usbserial-1410
         Using Programmer              : arduino
         Overriding Baud Rate          : 115200
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x30
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0d
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0a
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x31
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0d
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0a
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x32
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0d
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0a
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x33

avrdude done.  Thank you.

This is my first post on the arduino forum, so please kindly let me know if I have made mistakes in procedure.

2

Hi, your PCB is great.
Maybe you have another separate USB to UART bridge to check if the CH340C is the cause?

1 Like
3

Hello Boffin,

Can you please elaborate on what you mean by another separate USB to UART bridge?

I have the 1x6 female headers (GND CTS VCC Tx Rx DTR) for programming with a USB to Serial adapter. This is the chip I'm using, however it's not working either. The USBasp is the only way I'm able to program the board currently.

4

When you do that you erase the bootloader. So after doing an "Upload Using Programmer", you always need to do a "Burn Bootloader" again before you can go back to doing regular uploads to the board.

1 Like
5

I meant just such a device. USB-UART and USB to Serial are the same.
If you cannot upload your device through another adapter, then you need to check your bootloader, as @pert noted.

6

Thank you!

This was my problem. I was not aware programming over USBasp erased the bootloader.

Using the USBasp to burn the bootloader and then the standard USB port to program works perfectly. Thank you all for the great help!

7

You're welcome. I'm glad to hear it's working now. Enjoy!
Per

8

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