Programming ATMega8515

Is your STK-500 firmware up to date?

The "usual" problem with programming AVRs is that they typically (all?) come from the factory set to use the internal RC oscillator as the clock source and that oscillator is typically (always?) set, or divided down, to 1 MHz.

If the STK500's programming clock is higher than 1/4 of that then programming will fail. Check the "settings" button under the Main tab from the STK500 window in AVR Studio.

A good test is to *always* do a signature check before trying to program. If the signature is wrong or cannot be read then something's amiss.

Once you're talking to it reliably, set the fuses as needed if you're using an external clock source or crystal.

There's something different about the mega8515, but the detail escapes me.... read the 500 manual CAREFULLY!

Thanks for the reply Perhaps not. I updated AVR studio4, then updated firmware with the version on my harddrive. Where do I find for sure the latest firmware?

Thanks. On all ATMega8515 the signatures read 0x1E 0x93 0x01 with a warning that the signature doesn't match the selected device. On ATMega8515L nothing is readable, neither signature or fuses. The clock is set for 28k Firmware version is 0x020a

An Atmega8515's signature should be 0x1E 0x93 0x06, where 0x1E is the manufacturer (Atmel), 0x93 is memory size (8K), and 0x06 is a sequential code for that memory size.

The signature you're getting is for the older AT90S8515.

Now that is strange. Although plainly marked as ATMega8515, the do program as AT90S8515. I'll have to find out where purchasing got them. thanks a lot

When you install a newer version of Studio it will read the firmware in the STK500 and tell you if it needs to be updated, and will do it from within the program.