Adafruit
Adafruit UPDI Friend - USB Serial UPDI Programmer
· MPN: ADA5879
The Adafruit UPDI Friend is a compact USB serial programmer for ATtiny microcontrollers that use the UPDI (Unified Program and Debug Interface) protocol. Bui...
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The Adafruit UPDI Friend is a compact USB serial programmer for ATtiny microcontrollers that use the UPDI (Unified Program and Debug Interface) protocol. Built around the CH340E USB serial converter with USB Type-C, it provides reliable cross-platform programming with switchable 3V or 5V power and logic levels.
A built-in 1K loop-back resistor between the RX and TX pins ensures dependable UPDI communication. Simply connect the included JST SH cable to your breadboard, select "Serial UPDI" as the programmer in the Arduino IDE with megaTinyCore, and you're ready to program.
Key Features
- Switchable 3V/5V – Select power and logic levels to match your target microcontroller
- USB Type-C – Modern connector for power and data
- CH340E USB Serial – Cross-platform driver support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Built-in 1K Loop-Back Resistor – Reliable UPDI communication between RX and TX
- 3V Regulator – Delivers up to 500 mA for powering your target board
- Status LEDs – Green power LED and red serial activity LED
- Breakout Pads – 0.1" spaced holes for custom wiring
- Compact Size – 26.4 × 17.8 × 4.9 mm (1.0" × 0.7" × 0.2")
Ideal For
- Programming ATtiny816, ATtiny817, ATtiny1616, and other UPDI-based ATtiny chips
- Arduino IDE projects using the megaTinyCore board support package
- Breadboard prototyping with ATtiny microcontrollers
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit UPDI Friend (fully assembled)
- 1× JST SH cable for breadboard connection
Resources
- Adafruit UPDI Friend Guide – Setup, wiring, and usage instructions
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- baud
- Baud is the signalling rate of a serial connection, often used as the speed setting for UART communication. Matching the baud rate matters because both connected devices must use the same setting for readable data.
- breakout
- A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.
- IDE
- Short for Integrated Development Environment, a program used to write, run and manage code. It matters because some learners prefer a traditional coding workspace instead of a guided notebook-style lesson.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- RX
- RX means receive, usually showing data being received by the board. An RX indicator LED can help with troubleshooting USB or serial communication.
- TX
- TX means transmit, usually showing data being sent from the board. A TX indicator LED can help you see when the board is communicating or uploading code.
- Type-C
- USB Type-C (USB-C) is a small, reversible USB connector used for charging, power, and data transfer on many modern devices. A Type-C port or plug indicates the cable and charger connection needed to power, charge, or communicate with a device.
- USB Type-C
- USB Type-C is a small, reversible USB connector used for power, data and sometimes video on many modern devices. The connector itself does not guarantee a particular speed or voltage, so check the supported USB version, data rate and whether it carries more than 5V via USB Power Delivery.
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Related Tutorials
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