29.9.1 Serial Programming Algorithm

When writing serial data to the ATmega8A, data is clocked on the rising edge of SCK.

When reading data from the ATmega8A, data is clocked on the falling edge of SCK. Please refer to the figure “Serial Programming Waveforms” in the related links for timing details.

To program and verify the ATmega8A in the serial programming mode, the following sequence is recommended, see also table “Serial Programming Instruction Set” in the related links:

  1. Power-up sequence:


    Apply power between VCC and GND while RESET and SCK are set to “0”. In some systems, the programmer can not guarantee that SCK is held low during power-up. In this case, RESET must be given a positive pulse of at least two CPU clock cycles duration after SCK has been set to “0”.

  2. Wait for at least 20ms and enable serial programming by sending the Programming Enable serial instruction to pin MOSI.
  3. The serial programming instructions will not work if the communication is out of synchronization. When in sync. the second byte (0x53), will echo back when issuing the third byte of the Programming Enable instruction. Whether the echo is correct or not, all four bytes of the instruction must be transmitted. If the 0x53 did not echo back, give RESET a positive pulse and issue a new Programming Enable command.
  4. The Flash is programmed one page at a time. The memory page is loaded one byte at a time by supplying the 6 LSB of the address and data together with the Load Program Memory Page instruction. To ensure correct loading of the page, the data low byte must be loaded before data high byte is applied for a given address. The Program Memory Page is stored by loading the Write Program Memory Page instruction with the 8 MSB of the address. If polling is not used, the user must wait at least tWD_FLASH before issuing the next page.
  5. Note: If other commands than polling (read) are applied before any write operation (FLASH, EEPROM, Lock Bits, Fuses) is completed, it may result in incorrect programming.
  6. The EEPROM array is programmed one byte at a time by supplying the address and data together with the appropriate Write instruction. An EEPROM memory location is first automatically erased before new data is written. If polling is not used, the user must wait at least tWD_EEPROM before issuing the next byte. In a chip erased device, no 0xFFs in the data file(s) need to be programmed.

  7. Any memory location can be verified by using the Read instruction which returns the content at the selected address at serial output MISO.
  8. At the end of the programming session, RESET can be set high to commence normal operation.
  9. Power-off sequence (if needed):


    Set RESET to “1”.


    Turn VCC power off.