I'm a beginner to the world of Microcontrollers and have just built my first project using a Mega2560 that I wish to make a standalone of.
This much idea I have :
Make a PCB with a SMD atmega2560 , with all the right pins connected to the right devices.
Include a header for the SCK , MISO , MOSI , GND pins on the PCB.
After this what should I do?
Is it necessary to install the bootloader? What exactly does it do?
Can I just copy the flash memory of my mega board and then burn it to the standalone?
Or can I just burn the Hex file generated by arduino using USBasp?
Is it necessary to install the bootloader? What exactly does it do?
If you use the ICSP header for uploading programs you do not need the bootloader BUT part of the Burn Bootloader process is setting the right fuse settings. You should do the "Burn Bootloader" once on each chip, then you can Upload Using Programmer.
Can I just copy the flash memory of my mega board and then burn it to the standalone?
Or can I just burn the Hex file generated by arduino using USBasp?
The "Arduino Way" is to select Tools->Board->Arduino Mega 2560 or Mega ADK, Tools->Programmer->USBasp and then File->Upload Using Programmer.
I'm a beginner to the world of Microcontrollers and have just built my first project using a Mega2560 that I wish to make a standalone of.
This much idea I have :
Make a PCB with a SMD atmega2560 , with all the right pins connected to the right devices.
Include a header for the SCK , MISO , MOSI , GND pins on the PCB.
You should add the RESET pin as well, then you can program it using an ISP programmer.
suhasm:
After this what should I do?
Is it necessary to install the bootloader? What exactly does it do?
No, you don't need a bootloader. It lets you program the chip using a serial cable, but it's much better to use a $10 ISP programmer for this. You'll need one anyway to configure the chip's clock, etc.
