Just got my first Pro Mini's. Now how to program them?

Other Hardware 3rd Party Boards
1

I have a handful or Pro Mini's (5v, 16mhz, 328) and an FTDI basic breakout 5v.

I bought the breakout board because I thought that it replaced the USB to serial element found in boards like the Uno. (I'm very new to Arduino, and don't quite understand the variety of chips, so I'm probably simplifying)

Basically, I have these chips, an Uno and access to a Duemilanove board. Is it possible for me to program my Pro Mini?

( This is the last step on my way to some awesome burning man toys.. I'm going to be very sad if I can't make this work... =^[ )

Thanks!

2

Yes, you add some pins to the Promini (for a reliable connection), plug the FTDI basic on to it, connect to your PC with USB cable, select ProMini 5V/16MHz from the board list, & download away ...

3

Hey Crossroads. Thanks for the tips. It sounds simple, but I've gotten very close to that, without success. I appreciate the help.

Currently, I've added pins to the FDIC board and run them through the promini to make the connection. I'm pretty sure I'm pressing well enough to make a connection, but I'm not seeing the "New Network Device" dialog that happens when I plug in my Uno, and I'm not seeing either USB as a choice of Serial Port in the arduino software...

Will adding pins to the promini help with this? These boards are really only going to be programmed once and live forever in their new homes, so if I can avoid soldering just to unsolder, it would be nice.

Also, what pins should I connect to what?

On the FDIC, I have

  • DTR (What is this?)
  • RXI
  • TXO
  • 5V
  • CTS (What is this?)
  • GND

On the Pro Mini, I have

  • GRN
  • TXO
  • RXI
  • VCC
  • GND
  • BLK
4

PLaying with them more, I don't think the connection was as reliable as I thought it was. Going to add pins to the promini, and will report back.

5

Windows should recognize the FTDI Basic whether the Promini is connected or not.
You need to install FTDI drivers if you have not already.
http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm

On the FDIC, I have

  • DTR (What is this?) >> GRN, lets PC software create a reset; connects to Reset on Promini via 100nF capacitor
  • RXI >> TXO
  • TXO >> RXI
  • 5V >> VCC
  • CTS (What is this?) >> GND , Clear To Send, Promini tells FTDI it is ready to receive
  • GND >> BLK

As an EE, I am not a fan of just holding pins in place. I add right angle header pins & leave them there.

6

Ok, right angle pins are pretty awesome. I have straight pins that won't fit where I need, but I'll just unsolder them later.

I'm on mac, and osx doesn't recognize the ftdi board on it's own. At least not visibly..

Going to solder now.

7

Added the pins. Plugged in, this led briefly flashes green:

Then this led stays red:

But nothing happens on the computer end.

8

I can't do much for you until you get the FTDI card talking to the mac.
I run windows, hopefully some mac help will arrive.

9

You have the FTDI driver installed right? :wink:

For the time being, you could pull the ATmega out of your Duemilanove, and connect the TX, RX and (not 100% sure) RESET with those of your Pro Mini. If your FTDI breakout doesn't show up on multiple PC's, it's most likely faulty. :frowning:

10

jfeldstein:
I'm on mac, and osx doesn't recognize the ftdi board on it's own. At least not visibly..

I'm using Mac too.You can see the FTDI device listed in the System Profiler (USB) and in the Terminal - go to /dev/ and look for tty.USBxxxxx

// Per.