Can a propkey program an arduino?

rwgast_logicdesign · 2012-09-27 14:08

Ok so I got this ardunino kit and im waiting on the programmer. I wanna mess with it a little and I have about 5 options, looking at all my parallax hardware, and avr programmers... and even a bus pirate. But i wanna keep this simple I have no desires to build a max2323 adapter although i have the parts for that too, seems dumb since the programmer is coming.

Looking at all the tools at my disposale using a propkey with the wire broken out and connected to the arduino seems simple enough, as this ardunio kits header only has rx tx +5 and G, I guess what im afraid of is that the FTDI is set to do 3.3v on the propkey and the arduino will fry it. Im not sure if this is the case of if ftdi does auto level shifting like a good max chip. If this doesnt work the next easet option is to use the Bs2 Db9, but this soultion will was a pcb mount serial connector.

RDL2004 · 2012-09-27 15:21

What did you actually get? An Arduino plugs directly into a USB port and is programmed using the Arduino software. All you need is a standard USB cable.

Martin_H · 2012-09-27 16:26

I have a USB to FTDI adapter I got from Wulfden http://wulfden.org/TheShoppe/pa/index.shtml which can switch between 3.3 or 5 volts. I use it with either an Arduino or a Propeller in its 3.3 volt setting without incident. I don't know about the innards of the Propkey it might work. If you use a level shifter it should almost certainly work.

RDL2004, many Arduino clones dispense with the on board TTL serial to USB chip and use a Propkey like solution. It saves money and eliminates the full size USB jack which can short some shields.

rwgast_logicdesign · 2012-09-27 17:10

its called an rbbbk its not an arduino product. just has a 6 pin header. Like i said ill have the real connector in a week or so just tryin to find a simple solution atm without building something maybe ill breadboard a shifter if a pkey isnt 5v tolerant

LoopyByteloose · 2012-09-28 00:07

I would have to say 'maybe'. The Arduino actually has two programing interfaces. One is very special and intended to just load the 'boot loader' program that is resident on the chip. The other loads the Ardunio program via a serial connection that is rather generic and maybe any USB to Serial device can do it.... if configured to the right port and baud rate.

RDL2004 · 2012-09-28 05:13

What is a propkey? If you mean Prop Plug or Prop Clip, those are powered by the 5 volts from the USB connection and the FT232R Voh is specified to be 4.1 v nominal (3.2-4.9 v) when running at 5 volts. There are 150 ohm resistors on the Rx and Tx, probably for "just in case".

Martin_H · 2012-09-28 06:05

Loopy Byteloose wrote: »

The other loads the Ardunio program via a serial connection that is rather generic and maybe any USB to Serial device can do it.... if configured to the right port and baud rate.

Exactly. Many Arduino clones just leave off the USB interface and require the user to provide a 5 volt TTL compatible signal.

rwgast_logicdesign · 2012-09-28 17:25

Im sorry I meant the prop plug, RDL so are you saying the RX TX lines can do 4.9vs?

RDL2004 · 2012-09-29 06:56

I only looked at the schematic for the Prop Plug to see which FTDI chip it used. I didn't try to figure out if it would work for your particular Arduino clone kit. The numbers for Voh come from the data sheet for the FT232R "DC Characteristics", which states:

Parameter Description           Minimum  Typical  Maximum  Units  Conditions 

Voh       Output Voltage High    3.2      4.1      4.9      V     I source = 2mA 
Vol       Output Voltage Low     0.3      0.4      0.6      V     I sink = 2mA

Table 5.3 UART and CBUS I/O Pin Characteristics (VCCIO = +5.0V, Standard Drive Level)

Can a propkey program an arduino?

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