Linux Uzebox how-to

[codecrank]

If you're a windows hater like myself, this post is for you.

Hardware needed

• Uzebox: I'm using this Clay's fully assembled kit ( here ), but there is also the fuzebox.
• Atmel ISP loader. The Atmel MegaAVR 644 supports what's called "in system programming" ( ISP ), allowing you to flash the chip after it's installed. The Uzebox provides a 6 pin header on which to connect the loader. I'm using the Atmel AVRISPmkII ( available here for 35$ )

Software needed

• Atmel AVR compiler tools ( if you're a debian guy, they're also available via apt-get )

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  sudo yum -y install avr-libc-docs avr-binutils avrdude avr-gdb avr-gcc avr-libc
  

• Uzebox source: ( version 1 here )
• Makefile: use the one attached

Compiling

• the uzebox source also contains sample programs: tetris.c and composer.c
• open up the Makefile, locate "TARGET= tetris" at the top, if you want to compile composer.c , set TARGET = composer

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  make

Programming/Loading

• if you got an AVRISPmkII , you need to set its clock to a sane value, or it will be horribly slow. Give your Uzebox some juice, hook up the ISP, and run the following. You only need to do this once.

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  sudo avrdude -v  -p m644 -P usb  -c avrispmkII -t
  ...
  avrdude> sck 5
  avrdude> quit
  

• if you have another ISP, refer to the avrdude man page for the correct port and model values, then modify the avrdude arguments in the makefile

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  sudo make flash

Your first program ?

• copy and paste the following in tutorial.c ( from Uze's tutorial here )

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  #include <avr/io.h>
  #include <stdlib.h>
  #include <avr/pgmspace.h>
  #include "kernel/video.h"
  #include "data/fonts.pic.inc"
  
  const char strHello[] PROGMEM ="HELLO WORLD FROM THE UZEBOX!";
  
  int main(){
  
     SetFontTable(fonts);
     ClearVram();
     Print(8,12,strHello);
  
     while(1);
  
  } 
  

• edt the makefile : TARGET = tutorial

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  make ; sudo make flash 

Optional

• Tile Studio : runs perfect under wine ( just needs lpng.dll )

That's it , Enjoy !

[nitrofurano]

thanks, but it's too hard for newbies, specially the ones wanted to try the emulator and roms before buying uzebox or its electronic kit for diy
did someone create a binary i386 .deb or tarball of the uzem, and having the ready roms for testing? (this is just for encouraging newbies)

[uze6666]

I'll ask codecrank to post a binary.

Uze

[rob]

I'm trying to run the resulting .hex files in the linux emulator (uzem). It just hangs. I am missing a step?

[nebososo]

I'm trying to run the resulting .hex files in the linux emulator (uzem). It just hangs. I am missing a step?

It might be a bad hex file. Are you using latest SVN? Did you compile it yourself?

[Blue Protoman]

Would this work at all? http://www.adafruit.com/products/26

[uze6666]

If your computer (still) actually has a serial port, sure, it can be used to program the 644.

-Uze

[Blue Protoman]

Oh my, that's not USB, didn't see. Is there a cheaper alternative to the one that codecrank mentioned, then?

[uze6666]

Well, the AVRISPMKII is already pretty darn cheap at ~35$ and that's the one I always recommend. As a cheaper alternative you can get Adafruit's USBTinyISP for 22$. But beware, it won't work in AVR studio.

-Uze

[Blue Protoman]

Wow, $35, cheap? That's not right. Then again, I'm Jewish. I'd need a damn good reason to use that with both a Uzebox and my Arduino.