Mighty 1284P: An Arduino core for the ATmega1284P

What is it?

Everything you need to run Arduino on an ATmega1284P microcontroller.

This is a refreshed version of maniacbug's mighty-1284p core which was based on Arduino 1.0. With the invaluable help of many kind folks on the Arduino forum, I was able to produce this updated core based on Arduino 1.0.5. (If you're interested, and a bit masochistic, here is the rather lengthy discussion that took place during the process of updating the core.)

Revision history

29Oct2014 Jack Christensen

• The following changes are in a branch named v1.0.6. The v1.0.5 branch will remain the default for the time being, until the v1.0.6 branch can be tested further.
• With the release of Arduino 1.0.6, changes to the core files are no longer needed to support the ATmega1284P. Deleted the Mighty 1284P cores directory pointed all boards in the boards.txt file to the regular Arduino core.
• Added an 8MHz "Mighty Mini 1284P" board to the boards.txt file, and 8MHz bootloaders for several different baud rates.

13May2014 Jack Christensen

• Added a 1M baud version of Optiboot.
• Added the "Mighty Mini 1284P" board to the boards.txt file.

05May2014 Jack Christensen

• Updates to pins_arduino.h files for correct pin mapping.
• Renamed the core directory from "standard" to "mighty" and updated board.txt accordingly.
• Changed wiring_analog.c to support correct analog pin mapping. This single-line change is the only change needed to the Arduino 1.0.5 "cores" files. An equivalent change has been made in the Arduino repository and should be included in later releases.

03May2014 Jack Christensen

• An attempt to bring the mighty-1284p core up to Arduino 1.0.5 level. In researching the changes I came to the conclusion that the core was originally based on Arduino 1.0 and that since then all the changes in maniacbug's core files necessary to support the ATmega1284P had been worked into subsequent Arduino releases. This may have occurred as early as Arduino 1.0.1. Nevertheless, this update is working with Arduino 1.0.5 and while it may work with earlier releases, I do not plan to test them, so there is no guarantee.
• The initial commit is therefore just a matter of removing the cores directory and updating the boards.txt file to point at the cores directory in the Arduino distribution.

23Jun2012 maniacbug

• Everything is here and has been initially tested. It should work fine. There is more detailed testing which must be completed before calling it completely 'done' though.
• The platform now includes optiboot. This bootloader is better in every way than the previous version, so it is recommended in all cases. The prior one is included for reference.

Installation

1. Go to https://github.com/JChristensen/mighty-1284p/tree/v1.0.6, click the Download ZIP button and save the ZIP file to a convenient location on your computer.
2. Ensure that the Arduino IDE is not running.
3. Go to your Arduino sketchbook folder. If it does not contain a folder named hardware, create one.
4. Unzip the downloaded file into the hardware folder.
5. The download from GitHub will have a dash and branch name appended, so the folder will be named, e.g. mighty-1284p-master or mighty-1284p-v1.0.5. Rename the folder to just mighty-1284p.
6. The following folders and files should now exist:
   • sketchbook\hardware\mighty-1284p\bootloaders
   • sketchbook\hardware\mighty-1284p\patched-libs
   • sketchbook\hardware\mighty-1284p\variants
   • sketchbook\hardware\mighty-1284p\.gitignore
   • sketchbook\hardware\mighty-1284p\README.txt
   • sketchbook\hardware\mighty-1284p\boards.txt
7. Move any mighty-1284p compatible patched libs under [sketchfolder]\libraries as required.
8. Restart the Arduino IDE.
9. Select the desired board from the Tools > Board menu and enjoy those extra pins and all that extra memory!

Requirements

• Works with Arduino 1.0.6. For other versions of the Arduino IDE, there is also a v1.0.5 branch, and a v1.6.3 branch for 1.6.x (and possibly some 1.5.x) support. Download and install from the appropriate branch as required for the version of IDE.
• The USBtinyISP is advertised as not able to program chips with more than 64K of flash, however there are varying reports of success using it with the ATmega1284P. Sometimes error messages are given but the upload process seems to have worked OK. Be forewarned. YMMV.

See also

http://maniacbug.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/arduino-on-atmega1284p-4/

Supported Boards

• avr-developers.com pinouts 16MHz using Optiboot - The classic pinouts.
• Bobuino - CrossRoads' board built for maximum compatibility with Arduino Uno-class shields.
• RFX 1284P Development/Deployment Board (a.k.a. "Skinny Bob") from Embedded Coolness; also built for maximum compatibility with Arduino Uno-class shields, has prototyping area, configurable 5V/3v3 voltage selection, and nRF24L01+ support.
• Mighty Mini 1284P - A small breadboard-friendly version of the Mighty 1284p built with SMT components. Open-source design available on GitHub.
• "maniacbug" Mighty 1284p 16MHz using Optiboot - This uses a straightforward pinout that is especially helpful on a breadboard-built unit.