AVR microcontrollers: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Family of microcontrollers}}
{{About|the series of AVR microcontrollers|the AVR instruction set|Atmel AVR instruction set}}
{{Confuse|automatic voltage regulator}}
 
[[File:Avr_logo.svg|right|thumb|AVR logo]]
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Atmel says that the name AVR is not an acronym and does not stand for anything in particular. The creators of the AVR give no definitive answer as to what the term "AVR" stands for.<ref name="storyofavr" /> However, it is commonly accepted that AVR stands for '''A'''lf and '''V'''egard's '''R'''ISC processor.<ref>{{cite web|title=UNSW School of Computer Science and Engineering - General AVR Info|url=http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~pcb/avr/avr.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623131604/http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~pcb/avr/avr.html|archive-date=2012-06-23|access-date=2012-09-19|publisher=Cse.unsw.edu.au}}</ref> Note that the use of "AVR" in this article generally refers to the 8-bit RISC line of Atmel AVR microcontrollers.
 
The original AVR MCU was developed at a local [[Application-specific integrated circuit|ASIC]] house{{Clarify|reason=Meaningdesign of the phrase is unclear.|date=January 2023}}company in [[Trondheim, Norway]], called Nordic VLSI at the time, now [[Nordic Semiconductor]], where Bogen and Wollan were working as students.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} It was known as a μRISC (Micro RISC)<ref name="NTNU">[https://www.itk.ntnu.no/fag/TTK4155/2004/foiler_forelesninger/Atmel_AVR_Forelesning.pdf An introduction to Atmel and the AVR microcontroller]{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and was available as silicon IP/building block from Nordic VLSI.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.idi.ntnu.no/~dam/fag/digdat/DigDat301002.pdf |title=Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers |access-date=2018-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041224014455/http://www.idi.ntnu.no/~dam/fag/digdat/DigDat301002.pdf |archive-date=2004-12-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> When the technology was sold to Atmel from Nordic [[Very-large-scale integration|VLSI]], the internal architecture was further developed by Bogen and Wollan at Atmel Norway, a subsidiary of Atmel. The designers worked closely with compiler writers at [[IAR Systems]] to ensure that the AVR instruction set provided efficient [[Compiler|compilation]] of [[High-level programming language|high-level languages]].<ref name="codesign">{{cite book|url=http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/COMPILER.pdf|title=The AVR Microcontroller and C Compiler Co-Design|last=Myklebust|first=Gaute|publisher=Atmel Norway|citeseerx=10.1.1.63.1447|access-date=2012-09-19}}</ref>
 
Among the first of the AVR line was the AT90S8515, which in a 40-pin DIP package has the same pinout as an [[Intel 8051|8051]] microcontroller, including the external multiplexed address and data bus. The polarity of the <span style="text-decoration: overline">RESET</span> line was opposite (8051's having an active-high RESET, while the AVR has an active-low <span style="text-decoration: overline">RESET</span>), but other than that the pinout was identical.
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* PIN''x'': Input register, used to read an input signal. On some devices, this register can be used for pin toggling: writing a logic one to a PIN''x'' bit toggles the corresponding bit in PORT''x'', irrespective of the setting of the DDR''x'' bit.<ref>[http://www.atmel.com/Images/Atmel-2586-AVR-8-bit-Microcontroller-ATtiny25-ATtiny45-ATtiny85_Datasheet.pdf atmel.com]</ref>
 
Newer ATtiny AVR'sAVRs, like ATtiny817 and its siblings, have their port control registers somewhat differently defined.
xmegaAVR have additional registers for push/pull, totem-pole and pullup configurations.
 
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=== Instruction set ===
{{Main|Atmel AVR instruction set}}
The [[Atmel AVR instruction set|AVR instruction set]] is more [[Orthogonal instruction set|orthogonal]] than those of most eight-bit microcontrollers, in particular the [[Intel 8051|8051 clones]] and [[PIC microcontroller]]s with which AVR competeshas todaycompeted. However, it is not completely regular:
 
* [[Pointer register]]s X, Y, and Z have addressing capabilities that are different from each other.
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* Accessing read-only data stored in the program memory (flash) requires special LPM instructions; the flash bus is otherwise reserved for instruction memory.
 
Additionally, someSome chip-specific differences affect code generation. Code pointers (including return addresses on the stack) are two bytes long on chips with up to 128&nbsp;KB of flash memory, but three bytes long on larger chips; not all chips have hardware multipliers; chips with over 8&nbsp;KB of flash have branch and call instructions with longer ranges; and so forth.
 
The mostly regular instruction set makes C (and even Ada) compilers fairly straightforward and efficient. [[GNU Compiler Collection|GCC]] has included AVR support for quite some time, and that support is widely used. [[LLVM]] also has rudimentary AVR support. In fact, Atmel solicited input from major developers of compilers for small microcontrollers, to determine the instruction set features that were most useful in a compiler for high-level languages.<ref name="codesign" />
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=== Development ===
AVRs have a large following due to the free and inexpensive development tools available, including reasonably priced development boards and free development software. The AVRs are sold under various names that share the same basic core, but with different peripheral and memory combinations. Compatibility between chips in each family is fairly good, although I/O controller features may vary.
 
The Atmel AVR GNU C/C++ [[cross compiler]], "avr-gcc" and "avr-g++", is used in both WinAVR and Atmel Studio.<ref>
Microchip.
[https://www.microchip.com/en-us/tools-resources/develop/microchip-studio/gcc-compilers "Toolchains for AVR Microcontrollers (MCUs)"].
</ref><ref>
Timothy S Margush.
"Some Assembly Required: Assembly Language Programming with the AVR Microcontroller".
2016.
[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Some_Assembly_Required/n5E3EQAAQBAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PA539 "Chapter 14: Programming the AVR in C"].
p. 539
</ref><ref>
J. M. Hughes.
[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Arduino_A_Technical_Reference/7oMpDAAAQBAJ "Arduino: A Technical Reference"].
2016.
p. 127-131.
</ref><ref>
Joe Pardue.
[https://www.google.com/books/edition/C_Programming_for_Microcontrollers/jAzuNAAACAAJ "C Programming for Microcontrollers: Featuring ATMEL's AVR Butterfly and the Free WinAVR Compiler"].
2005.
</ref><ref>
Elliot Williams.
[https://www.google.com/books/edition/AVR_Programming/y7C2AgAAQBAJ "AVR Programming"].
2014.
</ref>
The Arduino team borrowed from WinAVR for the Windows version of the [[Arduino Software|Arduino software]].<ref>
Dale Wheat.
[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Arduino_Internals/U6EtJwBzY1oC "Arduino Internals"].
2011.
p. 227.
</ref>
 
See [[#External links|external links]] for sites relating to AVR development.
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** Optional boot code section with independent lock bits for protection
* On-chip debugging (OCD) support through JTAG or [[debugWIRE]] on most devices
** The JTAG signals (TMS, TDI, TDO, and TCK) are multiplexed on [[General Purpose Input/Output|GPIOs]]. These pins can be configured to function as JTAG or GPIO depending on the setting of a [[fuse bit]], which can be programmed via [[in-system programming]] (ISP) or HVSP. By default, AVRs with JTAG come with the JTAG interface enabled.
** [[debugWIRE]] uses the /RESET pin as a bi-directional communication channel to access on-chip debug circuitry. It is present on devices with lower pin counts, as it only requires one pin.
* Internal data [[EEPROM]] up to 4&nbsp;KB
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=== High-voltage serial ===
High-voltage serial programming (HVSP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.atmel.no/knowledgebase/avrstudiohelp/mergedProjects/AVRDragon/AVRDragon_HVSP_Description.htm|title=HVSP_Description|publisher=Support.atmel.no|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012094540/http://support.atmel.no/knowledgebase/avrstudiohelp/mergedProjects/AVRDragon/AVRDragon_HVSP_Description.htm|archive-date=2009-10-12|access-date=2012-09-19}}</ref> is mostly the backup mode on smaller AVRs. An 8-pin AVR package does not leave many unique signal combinations to place the AVR into a programming mode. A 12-volt signal, however, is something the AVR should only see during programming and never during normal operation. The high voltage mode can also be used in some devices where the reset pin has beenwas disabled by fuses.
 
=== High-voltage parallel ===
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=== ROM ===
The AT90SC series of AVRs are available with a factory mask-ROM rather than flash for program memory, instead of flash.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pdfslide.net/reader/f/atmel-avr-wikipedia-the-free-encyclopediapdf|title=Atmel's Self-Programming Flash Microcontrollers|format=PDF|access-date=12 March 2020}}</ref> Because of the large up-front cost and minimum order quantity, a mask-ROM is only cost-effective for high-production runs.
 
=== aWire ===
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=== debugWIRE ===
{{Main|debugWIRE}}
[[debugWIRE]] is Atmel's solution for providing on-chip debug capabilities via a single microcontroller pin. It is particularly useful for lower pin-count parts which cannot provide the four "spare" pins needed for JTAG. The JTAGICE mkII, mkIII and the AVR Dragon support debugWIRE. debugWIRE was developed after the original JTAGICE release, and now clones support it.
 
=== JTAG ===
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=== JTAGICE ===
The [[JTAG]] In Circuit Emulator (JTAGICE) debugging tool supports on-chip debugging (OCD) of AVRs with a JTAG interface. The original JTAGICE (sometimes retroactively referred to as JTAGICE mkI) uses an RS-232 interface to a PC and can only program AVR'sAVRs with a JTAG interface. The JTAGICE mkI is no longer in production, however it has been replaced by the JTAGICE mkII.
 
=== JTAGICE mkII ===
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USB-based AVRs have been used in the Microsoft Xbox hand controllers. The link between the controllers and Xbox is USB.
 
Numerous companies produce AVR-based microcontroller boards intended for use by hobbyists, robot builders, experimenters and small system developers including: Cubloc,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cubloc.com/|title=Comfile Technology|publisher=Comfile Technology, Inc.|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-date=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117112843/http://www.cubloc.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> gnusb,<ref>{{cite web|url=httphttps://gnusb.sourceforge.net/|title=gnusb: Open Source USB Sensor Box|access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref> [[BasicX]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basicx.com/|title=BasicX|publisher=NetMedia, Inc.|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523182113/http://basicx.com/|archive-date=23 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Oak Micros,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oakmicros.com/content/index.php|title=Welcome to Oak Micros|work=Oak Micros|publisher=Oak Micros|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025082936/http://oakmicros.com/content/index.php|archive-date=2012-10-25|access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref> ZX Microcontrollers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zbasic.net/|title=ZBasic|access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref> and myAVR.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myavr.com/|title=myAVR|publisher=Laser & Co. Solutions GmbH|access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref> There is also a large community of [[Arduino-compatible boards]] supporting similar users.
 
[[Schneider Electric]] used to produce the M3000 Motor and Motion Control Chip, incorporating an Atmel AVR Core and an advanced motion controller for use in a variety of motion applications but this has been discontinued.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imshome.com/products/m3000.html|title=M3000 Motion controller on a chip|work=imshome.com|publisher=Schneider Electric Motion USA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202120117/http://www.imshome.com/products/m3000.html|archive-date=2009-12-02|access-date=2011-08-02}}</ref>