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...
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 is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine 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 is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- USB Type-C
- A reversible USB connector used for power and data on many modern devices. On this kit it indicates an alternate 5V power input, which may be useful for setup or charging without the solar panel.
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