In the case of external programmers, it’s easy to brick a board simply by specifying incorrect upload flags. It’s highly recommended to use the upload_command option that gives the full control over flags used for uploading.
Note
The list of supported programmers available in avrdude is accessible via
the avrdude -c ?
command
Configuration for the programmers:
AVRISP
[env:program_via_AVRISP]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
upload_protocol = custom
upload_port = SERIAL_PORT_HERE
upload_speed = 19200
upload_flags =
-C
; use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf
-p
$BOARD_MCU
-P
$UPLOAD_PORT
-b
$UPLOAD_SPEED
-c
stk500v1
upload_command = avrdude $UPLOAD_FLAGS -U flash:w:$SOURCE:i
AVRISP mkII
[env:program_via_AVRISP_mkII]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
upload_protocol = custom
upload_port = usb
upload_flags =
-C
; use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf
-p
$BOARD_MCU
-P
$UPLOAD_PORT
-c
stk500v2
upload_command = avrdude $UPLOAD_FLAGS -U flash:w:$SOURCE:i
USBtinyISP
[env:myenv]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
upload_protocol = usbtiny
[env:program_via_USBtinyISP]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
upload_protocol = custom
upload_flags =
-C
; use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf
-p
$BOARD_MCU
-c
usbtiny
upload_command = avrdude $UPLOAD_FLAGS -U flash:w:$SOURCE:i
Arduino as ISP
[env:program_via_ArduinoISP]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
upload_protocol = custom
upload_port = SERIAL_PORT_HERE
upload_speed = 19200
upload_flags =
-C
; use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf
-p
$BOARD_MCU
-P
$UPLOAD_PORT
-b
$UPLOAD_SPEED
-c
stk500v1
upload_command = avrdude $UPLOAD_FLAGS -U flash:w:$SOURCE:i
USBasp
[env:program_via_USBasp]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
upload_protocol = custom
upload_port = usb
upload_flags =
-C
; use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf
-p
$BOARD_MCU
-P
$UPLOAD_PORT
-c
usbasp
upload_command = avrdude $UPLOAD_FLAGS -U flash:w:$SOURCE:i
Parallel Programmer
[env:program_via_PP]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
upload_protocol = custom
upload_flags =
-C
; use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf
-p
$BOARD_MCU
-c
dapa
-F
upload_command = avrdude $UPLOAD_FLAGS -U flash:w:$SOURCE:i
Bus Pirate as ISP
[env:program_via_BP]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
upload_protocol = custom
upload_port = SERIAL_PORT_HERE
upload_speed = 115200
upload_flags =
-C
; use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf
-p
$BOARD_MCU
-P
$UPLOAD_PORT
-b
$UPLOAD_SPEED
-c
buspirate
upload_command = avrdude $UPLOAD_FLAGS -U flash:w:$SOURCE:i
To upload EEPROM data (from EEMEM directive) you need to use uploadeep
target instead upload
for pio run --target
command.
For example, pio run -t uploadeep
.
In some cases erasing chip memory is a mandatory procedure before uploading bootloader
or setting fuses. AVRDUDE provides a special flag -e
that causes a chip erase to be
executed. This will reset the contents of the flash ROM and EEPROM to the value 0xff
,
and clear all lock bits. The easiest way to use it is to add this flag via the
upload_flags option:
[env:uno]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
board = uno
upload_flags =
-e
PlatformIO has a built-in target called fuses
for setting fuse bits. The default fuse
bits are predefined in the board manifest file in the fuses
section. For example,
fuses section for Arduino Uno board.
To set fuse bits you need to use target fuses
with pio run --target
command.
Custom fuse values and upload flags (based on upload protocol) should be specified in
“platformio.ini” (Project Configuration File). The lfuse
and hfuse
bits are mandatory, efuse
is optional
and not supported by all targets. An example of setting custom fuses for uno
board:
[env:custom_fuses]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
board = uno
upload_protocol = stk500v1
upload_speed = 19200
board_fuses.lfuse = 0xAA
board_fuses.hfuse = 0xBB
board_fuses.efuse = 0xCC
upload_flags =
-PCOM15
-b$UPLOAD_SPEED
-e
MiniCore
, MegaCore
, MightyCore
, MajorCore
and MicroCore
support
dynamic fuses generation. Generated values are based on the following parameters:
Parameter
Description
Default value
board_build.f_cpu
Specifies the clock frequencies in Hz. Used to determine what oscillator option to choose. A capital L has to be added to the end of the frequency number.
16000000L
board_hardware.oscillator
Specifies which oscillator is used
internal
orexternal
. Internal oscillator only works withf_cpu
values8000000L
and1000000L
external
board_hardware.uart
Specifies the hardware UART port used for serial upload. can be
uart0
,uart1
,uart2
oruart3
depending on the target. Useno_bootloader
if you’re not using a bootloader for serial upload.
uart0
board_hardware.bod
Specifies the hardware brown-out detection. Use
disabled
to disable brown-out detection.
2.7v
board_hardware.eesave
Specifies if the EEPROM memory should be retained when uploading using a programmer. Use
no
to disable
yes
board_hardware.ckout
Enables system clock output on targets that have this feature. The system clock will be output on a dedicated output pin. See the target datasheet for more information. Use
Yes
to enable
no
board_hardware.jtagen
Enables the JTAG programming and debugging interface for targets that supports JTAG. Use
Yes
to enable
no
board_hardware.cfd
Enables clock failure detection. Note that this feature is only available on ATmega324PB and ATmega328PB. Use
Yes
to enable CFD
no
Valid BOD values:
ATmega8, ATmega8515, ATmega8535/16/32, ATmega64/128
AT90CAN32/64/128
Other targets
4.0v
4.1v
4.3v
2.7v
4.0v
2.7v
disabled
3.9v
1.8v
3.8v
disabled
2.7v
2.6v
2.5v
disabled
Hardware configuration example:
[env:custom_fuses]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
board = ATmega32
board_build.f_cpu = 1000000L
board_hardware.uart = uart0
board_hardware.oscillator = internal
board_hardware.bod = 2.7v
board_hardware.eesave = no
upload_protocol = usbasp
upload_flags =
-Pusb
PlatformIO splits the command for programming fuses in the following overridable parts:
Variable
Description
Examples
FUSESUPLOADER
The tool used for setting fuses
By default
avrdude
is used
FUSESUPLOADERFLAGS
General command-line options that control uploader’s behavior
-D
,-V
,-P COM1
,-C atmelice_isp
,-b 115200
FUSESFLAGS
A list of flags specific to fuses settings
-Ulock:w:0x2F:m
,-Uefuse:w:0xCB:m
,-Ulfuse:w:0xFF:m
SETFUSESCMD
Variable that holds the final command compiled from variables above
$FUSESUPLOADER $FUSESUPLOADERFLAGS $UPLOAD_FLAGS $FUSESFLAGS
If for any reason default parameters are not suitable for your project, you can override the entire upload command or any particular part of that command using an extra script, for example, you can override only fuses values:
Import("env")
env.Replace(
FUSESFLAGS=[
"-Uhfuse:w:0xAA:m",
"-Uefuse:w:0xBB:m",
"-Ulfuse:w:0xCC:m",
"-Ulock:w:0xDD:m"
]
)
Or override a specific uploader flag:
Import("env")
env.Append(
FUSESUPLOADERFLAGS=[
"-V",
"-D"
]
)
It’s also possible to completely override the entire upload command:
Import("env")
env.Replace(
FUSESUPLOADERFLAGS=[
# use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
"-C", "$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf",
"-p", "$BOARD_MCU",
"-c", "atmelice_isp",
"-e", "-v"
],
SETFUSESCMD="avrdude $FUSESUPLOADERFLAGS -Ulock:w:0x0F:m",
)
PlatformIO has a built-in target called bootloader
for flashing bootloaders. The
default bootloader image and corresponding fuse bits are predefined in the board manifest
file in the bootloader
section, for example, Arduino Uno.
To upload a bootloader image you need to use target bootloader
with
pio run --target
command.
Custom bootloader and accompanying fuses should be specified in “platformio.ini” (Project Configuration File).
If lock_bits
and unlock_bits
are not set then the default values 0x0F
and
0x3F
are used accordingly. An example of setting custom bootloader for uno
board:
[env:uno]
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
board = uno
board_bootloader.file = /path/to/custom/bootloader.hex
board_bootloader.lfuse = 0xFF
board_bootloader.hfuse = 0xDE
board_bootloader.efuse = 0xFD
board_bootloader.lock_bits = 0x0F
board_bootloader.unlock_bits = 0x3F
MiniCore
, MegaCore
, MightyCore
and MajorCore
have a wide variety of
precompiled bootloaders. Bootloader binaries are dynamically selected according to the
hardware parameters f_cpu
, oscillator
, uart
and upload_speed
. For a
complete table with all available baud rates, see the Optiboot flash repo.
Here is a table with recommended baud rates for different clock frequencies:
Frequency
Oscillator type
Recommended upload speed
20000000L
external
115200
18432000L
external
115200
16000000L
external
115200
14745600L
external
115200
12000000L
external
57600
11059200L
external
115200
8000000L
external/internal
57600/38400
7372800L
external
115200
4000000L
external
9600
3686400L
external
115200
2000000L
external
9600
1843200L
external
115200
1000000L
external/internal
9600
PlatformIO splits the command for programming bootloader in the following overridable parts:
Variable
Description
Examples
BOOTUPLOADER
The tool used for programming bootloader image
By default
avrdude
is used
BOOTUPLOADERFLAGS
General command-line options that control uploader’s behavior
-D
,-V
,-P COM1
,-C atmelice_isp
,-b 115200
BOOTFLAGS
A list of flags specific to bootloader settings
-Uflash:w:/path/to/bootlader_image:i
,-Ulock:w:0x2F:m
UPLOADBOOTCMD
Variable that holds the final command compiled from variables above
$BOOTUPLOADER $BOOTUPLOADERFLAGS $UPLOAD_FLAGS $BOOTFLAGS
If for any reason default parameters are not suitable for your project, you can override the entire upload command or any particular part of that command using an extra script, for example, you can override only fuses values:
Import("env")
bootloader_path = "/path/to/custom/bootloader.hex"
env.Replace(
BOOTFLAGS=[
"-Uflash:w:%s:i" % bootloader_path,
"-Ulock:w:0xFF:m"
]
)
Or override a specific uploader flag:
Import("env")
env.Append(
BOOTUPLOADERFLAGS=[
"-e", "-p", "/dev/cu.usbserial-1414302"
]
)
It’s also possible to completely override the entire upload command:
Import("env")
env.Replace(
BOOTUPLOADERFLAGS=[
# use "tool-avrdude-megaavr" for the atmelmegaavr platform
"-C", "$PROJECT_PACKAGES_DIR/tool-avrdude/avrdude.conf",
"-p", "$BOARD_MCU",
"-c", "atmelice_isp"
],
UPLOADBOOTCMD="avrdude $BOOTUPLOADERFLAGS -Ulock:w:0x0F:m",
)