Site under construction — check back daily for updates
ATmega328P Development Boards
Embedded Systems + Electronics
Development of a standalone ATmega328P circuit from a breadboard prototype into a permanent soldered Perma-Proto assembly.
Type
Development Boards
MCU
ATmega328P
Clock
16 MHz Crystal
Programming
Serial + ICSP
Development
Breadboard
Perma-Proto
Project Context
Two sequential projects completed during high school as part of the Advanced Computer Engineering School program at Royal St. George's College. The first introduced the breadboard ATmega328P and its functions, while the second transferred the circuit into a permanent soldered assembly.
01
The project explored how the ATmega328P could operate as a standalone microcontroller before transferring the complete circuit from a breadboard into a permanent soldered format.
The breadboard project combined the standalone ATmega328P with an audio input and 10 LED barograph to create a digital version of an analog VU meter.
The second stage retained the same core circuit while transferring it onto an Adafruit Perma Protoboard and introducing additional components for a permanent assembly.
02
The breadboard circuit establishes the supporting components required to operate the ATmega328P independently.
The standalone circuit uses a 10KΩ resistor, two 22 pF capacitors, a 16 MHz crystal, push button, and ATmega328P. The crystal and capacitors provide the external clock signal.
The crystal connects to pins 9 and 10, with a capacitor between each pin and ground. The push button and 10KΩ resistor connect to the reset pin.
Pins 7, 20, and 21 connect to 5 volts, while pins 8 and 22 connect to ground. The voltage regulator is used to convert 9V down to 5V for the circuit.
Breadboard ATmega328P Circuit
Standalone microcontroller circuit
ATmega328P
03
Moving the ATmega328P onto a breadboard removed the onboard USB serial connection and introduced alternative methods for programming the microcontroller.
Method 01
Arduino
Remove the ATmega328P from the breadboard and place it back into the Arduino for programming.
Method 02
Serial
Program over serial communication using the TX, RX, and reset connections.
Method 03
ICSP
In Circuit Serial Programming sends binary code serially to the microcontroller.
04
The first version combined the standalone microcontroller circuit with an Adafruit microphone and LED barograph to create a digital audio display.
Breadboard Prototype
ATmega328P breadboard circuit with audio input and display
Breadboard Components
Qty.
ATmega328P
1
10 LED Barograph
1
22 pF Capacitors
2
16 MHz Crystal
1
10KΩ Resistor
1
7085 Voltage Regulator
2
Adafruit Mic
1
10K Pot
1
Push Button
1
Full+ Breadboard
1
Wires
Assorted
05
The breadboard prototype was transferred onto an Adafruit Perma Protoboard to create a permanent soldered version of the circuit.
The Perma-Proto version used the same components as the breadboard circuit with several additions. A resistor network was added to dim the LED barograph brightness.
Pin headers were added to provide easy access for attaching and detaching the power jack and reset button. The circuit layout was planned in advance through multiple different orientations.
06
The permanent circuit was soldered in 2.5 hours after the component layout and wiring arrangement were planned in advance.
During assembly, a short between pins 22 and 21 was corrected by removing the solder and soldering the joints again.
Programming remained the same as the breadboard version. The ICSP programmer connects to an ACES breakout board inserted into six female GPIO pin headers soldered onto the Adafruit Perma Protoboard.
Final Perma-Proto Circuit
Permanent soldered ATmega328P assembly
Perma-Proto Components
Qty.
ATmega328P
1
10 LED Barograph
1
22 pF Capacitors
2
16 MHz Crystal
1
10KΩ Resistor
1
7085 Voltage Regulator
2
Adafruit Mic
1
10K Pot
1
PBNO
1
Half Perma Proto Board
1
Resistor Network
1
DC Barrel Jack
1
Male + Female Headers
Assorted
Wires
Assorted
07
The final assembly translated the working breadboard prototype into a compact permanent circuit while retaining access for programming and external connections.
Final ATmega328P Development Board
Breadboard to permanent soldered assembly
ATmega328P