{"id":3237,"date":"2010-10-28T23:41:11","date_gmt":"2010-10-29T04:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/?page_id=3237"},"modified":"2012-01-14T01:06:06","modified_gmt":"2012-01-14T07:06:06","slug":"mac-os-x","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/tutorials\/avr-toolchain-installation\/mac-os-x\/","title":{"rendered":"Mac OS X"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mitch Altman<\/a> and I are in the process of writing a book about Making Cool Things with Microcontrollers (for people who know nothing.)<\/span><\/h2>\n

The book features several DIY projects that use\u00a0AVR<\/a> microcontrollers. \u00a0We\u2019re aiming to teach absolute beginners how to solder, basic electronics, and the process of turning a cool idea into reality by using microcontrollers.<\/p>\n

I wrote these instructions about setting up a working avr-gcc environment in Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux. \u00a0Mitch and I felt that they could use some beta testing in the real world before bring included in the book, so we decided to make them available here. \u00a0We also felt that they might help some people get started with AVRs before the book is available.<\/p>\n

We want to make the process of writing and compiling code for the AVR simple and accessible, so we\u2019re not using any fancy IDEs (eg. no\u00a0AVR Studio<\/a>). \u00a0We also wanted to use the same software on all three operating systems, so Windows-only tools were out. \u00a0Instead, we\u2019re using avr-gcc, the compiler behind WinAVR, CrossPack, and Arduino.<\/p>\n

I would appreciate any feedback on these instructions.<\/p>\n

AVR Toolchain Installation Instructions – Mac OS X<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Note: At the time of this writing, following the step-by-step instructions below will result in a working AVR toolchain being installed on your computer.\u00a0 However, computers, operating systems, and software are constantly changing.\u00a0 This means that while these instructions are valid today, they may not be by the time you read this.\u00a0 If you run into trouble, fear not!\u00a0 Entering a few carefully chosen keywords into your favorite search engine will often yield just the information you need to resolve the issue.<\/p>\n

Installing the AVR toolchain on OS X is fairly straightforward, thanks to a software bundle called CrossPack. \u00a0CrossPack, which is similar to WinAVR for Windows, includes all of the software you need to get started working with AVR microcontrollers in one easy to install package.<\/p>\n

The instructions below were developed and tested with Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.4 and CrossPack version 20100115.\u00a0 CrossPack should run on PowerPC and Intel-based Macs.\u00a0 It requires approximately 100MB of hard drive space and OS X 10.3 or higher.<\/p>\n

To install the AVR toolchain within Mac OS X:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Open your favorite web browser and visit the CrossPack website at http:\/\/www.obdev.at\/products\/crosspack\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Click the Download button and find the latest version, which at the time of this writing is CrossPack-AVR-20100115.dmg<\/a>.\u00a0 Click to download the disk image (dmg) file and save it to your computer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Wait for CrossPack to download.\u00a0 If you are using Safari, the disk image should open automatically.\u00a0 Otherwise you may need to find the file on your hard drive (try looking in your Downloads folder) and double-click to open it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Once the disk image has opened, double-click CrossPack-AVR.pkg to install CrossPack.\u00a0 The package installer should open.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You can install with the default options.\u00a0 Click Continue to start the guided setup.\u00a0 A few clicks later, and CrossPack should be installed on your Mac.\u00a0 Close the installer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Open a Terminal window.\u00a0 You can do this by opening a Finder window and browsing to the Utilities folder inside Applications.\u00a0 Double-click on the Terminal application to open it.\u00a0 (You can also launch Terminal with Spotlight.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To make it easier to open in the future, right click on the Terminal icon in the Dock and select Options -> Keep in Dock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

4. You can test the installation by entering the command<\/p>\n

avr-gcc --version<\/pre>\n
You should see the response<\/p>\n
avr-gcc (GCC) 4.3.3<\/pre>\n
and a copyright notice.\u00a0 Note that the version number might be different.<\/p>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n
5. OS X includes built-in drivers for the Adafruit Industries USBTinyISP. \u00a0\u00a0If you are using the Atmel AVRISP mk II, substitute “avrisp2” for “usbtiny” in the command below.\u00a0 If you are using another programmer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult your favorite search engine.
\nTo test the USBTinyISP, plug it into an open USB port.\u00a0 When used with OS X, the programmer’s green LED may not immediately turn on.\u00a0 It should be on after executing the command below.<\/p>\n
Type the command<\/p>\n
avrdude -c usbtiny -p m168<\/pre>\n
and press enter while you watch the USBTinyISP’s red LED.\u00a0 The red LED will flash once and you should see the following message:<\/p>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n
avrdude: initialization failed, rc=-1<\/pre>\n
Double check connections and try again, or use -F to override<\/pre>\n
this check.<\/pre>\n
avrdude done.\u00a0 Thank you.<\/pre>\n
If you don’t see the red LED flash, try executing the command again.\u00a0 The LED flashes quickly and is easy to miss!<\/p>\n
If you see the error message<\/p>\n
avrdude: Error: Could not find USBtiny device (0x1781\/0xc9f)<\/pre>\n
avrdude done.\u00a0 Thank you.<\/pre>\n
double check your USB connections.<\/p>\n
The initialization failed error shown above is not a problem, it is displayed because there is no microcontroller connected to the programmer.\u00a0 At this point, if the red LED flashes, the programmer is working.<\/p>\n
This completes the OS X AVR toolchain installation.\u00a0 You are now ready to start programming microcontrollers!<\/p>\n
 <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mitch Altman and I are in the process of writing a book about Making Cool Things with Microcontrollers (for people who know nothing.) The book features several DIY projects that use\u00a0AVR microcontrollers. \u00a0We\u2019re aiming to teach absolute beginners how to solder, basic electronics, and the process of turning a cool idea into reality by using … Continue reading Mac OS X<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":3211,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3237","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PioCd-Qd","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3211,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/tutorials\/avr-toolchain-installation\/","url_meta":{"origin":3237,"position":0},"title":"AVR Toolchain Installation","author":"Jeff","date":"October 28, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Mitch Altman and I are in the process of writing a book about Making Cool Things with Microcontrollers (for people who know nothing.) 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The book features several DIY projects that use\u00a0AVR microcontrollers. \u00a0We\u2019re aiming to teach absolute beginners how to solder, basic electronics, and the process of turning a cool\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 3 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 3 comments","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/tutorials\/avr-toolchain-installation\/windows\/#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/winavr-500x336.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1473,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/products\/avr-hv-rescue-shield\/","url_meta":{"origin":3237,"position":3},"title":"AVR HV Rescue Shield (Obsolete)","author":"Jeff","date":"March 10, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Introducing the AVR HV Rescue Shield The AVR HV Rescue Shield is a high voltage parallel mode fuse programmer for Atmel AVR microcontrollers. It currently supports the ATmega48\/88\/168\/328P series and the ATtiny2313.\u00a0 The Rescue Shield is based on my Arduino-based AVR High Voltage Programmer, but with several new features and\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"AVR HV Rescue Shield with ATmega168 target ","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/rescue-shield-with-atmega2_scaled-500x375.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1453,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/products\/","url_meta":{"origin":3237,"position":4},"title":"Products","author":"Jeff","date":"March 10, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Geiger Counter An open source Geiger Counter kit with logging capabilities. AVR HV Rescue Shield 2 New and improved fuse programming shield for Atmel AVR microcontrollers.","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/geiger_thumb.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3421,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/products\/hv-rescue-shield-2-x\/","url_meta":{"origin":3237,"position":5},"title":"HV Rescue Shield 2","author":"Jeff","date":"December 13, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Introducing the AVR HV Rescue Shield 2 The HV Rescue Shield 2 is a high voltage parallel mode fuse programmer for Atmel AVR microcontrollers. It currently supports a wide variety of AVR chips, including the 28-pin ATmega48\/88\/168\/328 series, the 20-pin ATtiny2313, and many 8-pin ATtiny devices (such as the ATtiny25\/45\/85\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"HV Rescue Shield 2.1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/files\/hvrescue21\/images\/5418114324_df1976bef0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3237"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3237\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4573,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3237\/revisions\/4573"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}