The Metaboard has not the FT232, so if you want to use the Arduino IDE to download the code into Metaboard , there is a bit different from use the Arduino duemilanove 2009.
First time you plug the Metaboard into USB, it will not be recognize as a serial port as the FT232, you need to install a usbasp driver in your PC first , the your PC can recognize the Metaboard because of the bootloader in it. Download the driver here :http://www.fischl.de/usbasp/usbasp-windriver.2009-02-28.zip
Unzip the driver and install it, connect the Metaboard with USB again and press the reset button ( this operation is necessary , or the board will not be recognized) , then you will fine a usbasp device in your Device Manager ( I use the Win7 OS) . Now your PC can use the USB to communicate with the Metaboard now.
But in the Arduino IDE , now you can not find the port for Metaboard , and which type hardware should your choose? Don’t worry , add the code below to the board.tet which in the arduino00xx / hardware folder :
##############################################################
metaboard.name=Metaboard
metaboard.upload.protocol=usbasp
metaboard.upload.maximum_size=14336
metaboard.upload.speed=19200
metaboard.build.mcu=atmega168
metaboard.build.f_cpu=16000000L
metaboard.build.core=arduino
metaboard.upload.disable_flushing=true
##############################################################
Open the Arduino IDE again, in the tool – board menu you will see the Metaboard selection. Now you can choose it , and don’t need to choose the port , press the Upload button , your code will be compiled and download into the Metaboard.
Our Metaboard will in stock soon , the price of this board is about 9.5USD (ATMEGA168) and 12USD(ATMEGA328).
Preview :
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Do you know where can I find/download the bootloader *.HEX file for the Metaboard, for ATMEGA168 and/or ATMEGA328!
I have purchased the Metaboard kit without the Atmega chip, so I need the bootloader.
You can find it here: http://metalab.at/wiki/Metaboard