Datasheet

FTDI vs. AVR Programmer

Whats the difference between an FTDI cable/adapter &

AVR programmer?

FTDI Cable / Adapter AVR Programmer

There are two ways to program an AVR microcontroller. One is to reprogram the entire chip

using an AVR programmer. The other is to use a bootloader that is pre-programmed onto

the chip that allows the chip to re-program itself. An AVR programmer is more powerful:

you can really mess with anything on the chip and the entire 32K of memory is available.

Using the bootloader is safer: there's no way to mess with the fuse settings (which could

brick the chip) but you only get 30K of memory since 2K is used by the bootloader. Not a

big deal, but if you are working on a big project which requires tons of flash space, you may

need it

For a lot more information about AVR programmers and bootloaders, I strongly recommend

reading this short article (http://adafru.it/aI4)

Note that to program an AVR you need an AVR programmer (like a

USBtinyISP (http://adafru.it/aI4) ), but to upload using the bootloader you need a computer-

serial connection (such as an FTDI cable). Unfortunately, they are not the same device! If

you're not a microcontroller wiz, I suggest going with the bootloader (FTDI) method. Its as

fast (or faster), allows you to debug as well, and theres virtually no way to damage/brick the

chip by messing with the fuses. If you're familiar with microcontroller programming, and you

have a programmer, then feel free to go that direction.

SO!

AVR programmers are more powerful in that you can program any AVR, even blank

ones from the factory. But that also means you have a pretty good chance of 'bricking'

the chip!

FTDI adapters can send any serial data back and forth including updating AVRs with

a bootloader on them. But you need to get that bootloader on there first, which

basically requires an AVR programmer.