USBasp

USBasp is a USB in-circuit programmer for Atmel AVR microcontrollers. It is a low-cost solution for programming AVR chips, often used by hobbyists and students. The programmer connects to a computer via USB and to the target microcontroller via a 6-pin or 10-pin ISP (In-System Programming) header. It supports a wide range of AVR microcontrollers, including popular series like ATmega and ATtiny.

The USBasp hardware is typically based on a simple design, often utilizing an ATmega88 or ATmega8 microcontroller as the bridge between the USB interface and the AVR target. The firmware on the USBasp microcontroller handles the USB communication and the generation of the programming signals. Software on the host computer, such as avrdude, communicates with the USBasp programmer to upload firmware (hex files) to the microcontroller and to read or write microcontroller fuses and lock bits.

One of the main advantages of USBasp is its affordability and widespread availability. It is often sold as a pre-assembled board or as a kit. While not as feature-rich or high-speed as some commercial programmers, it provides reliable programming capabilities for many common AVR development tasks. Its open-source nature has also contributed to its popularity, allowing for modifications and improvements by the community. The USBasp is a popular choice for microcontroller enthusiasts due to its ease of use and cost-effectiveness for programming AVR devices.