Wireless controller mod - ATmega8-16PU, ATtiny2313 ISP?

I am trying to attempt the Wireless controller mod shown over at hackaday for my nes,snes and saturn controllers (http://hackaday.com/2012/02/13/wireless-controllers-for-all-your-retro-systems/). I've ordered the ATmega8-16PU and the ATtiny2313 but programming atmel microcontrollers is a new ball game for me. I have the GQ-4X and its telling me i need a AVRisp connection and im not quite sure what this means, im also not quite sure what adapters i need. The Atmel Micro controllers should be coming in sometime today so hopefully i can get some help with this :dejection:.

 

Buy an USBASP from ebay. It's perfect for flashing Atmegas and only costs about $5 which is probably far less than the adapter needed for your programmer costs.

 

I got one of these, http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=3168
Would this enable me to program these chips on my gq-4x?. Im not sure what the AVR ISP 10-Pin cable is all about but the cable did come with the adapter along with some jumper cables... am i missing something :nightmare:?

 

This adapter in your last link is a stand alone thingy similar to the usbasp and can be used to program the Atmegas, even without the GQ-4X.

All you need to do is to connect the 10 pin ISP cable like so to the Atmega: http://d32zx1or0t1x0y.cloudfront.net/2009/07/atmega8_breadboard_20_lrg.jpg (the needed 5V are comming out of the USB port so don't connect an external power supply)

Then you can flash the hexfile it with programs like avrdude.

 

Is there a possible way i can pre-program the microcontroller? if not how would i go about connecting the ISP cable to the atmega8? I apologize for asking alot of questions

 

check the datasheet, match up the function of the pin legs to the names/locations on the GQ-4X picture of the zif socket. You also need to provide power to the chip (so vcc too)

 

Just finished looking at the datasheet, do i need to wire up the atmega8 and place each wire in their place in the socket? if i do, which part in the ZIF socket would i go about getting power to the chip (VCC)

 

I am not sure which connection would supply power. They are expecting you to use your own power source.

But yes to your other question, thats exactly how you are supposed to wire it.

 

Alright, i might've found a solution for the VCC.

If you scroll down to the end of page 16 and beginning of page 17 in the GQ Users guide (http://www.mcumall.com/download/TrueUSBWillem/GQ_USB_User_Guide.PDF), it shows a VCC point on the zif socket for JTAG programming?... would it able to provide VCC for ISP programming as well even not shown in the ISP ZIF points?

 

use a multimeter and find out

 

Don't wish to highjack the thread, but I've been trying to do this mod for some N64 pads and I'm having problems getting avrdude to recognise the Atmel chips using a USBtinyISP. The adapter supplies the 5V required for VCC and the chip is definitely being powered, but still nothing shows up:dejection:. Any ideas?

 

Speaking of not hijacking threads, I'd just like to say thanks to all involved in this thread!
Managed to get an ATMEGA328P programmed using a PICkit2 on a Mac! Amazing!
Thanks for the direction