What microcontrollers does Atmel specialize in?

Atmel was one of the top IC manufacturers that makes a number of 8-bit, 32-bit, and ARM microcontrollers, including the AVR microcontroller used in the Arduino. Microchip purchased Atmel in 2017 and is maintaining the AVR line of microcontrollers. The following is a list of helpful resources for getting started with Microchip AVR microcontrollers.

How do I choose an AVR microcontroller?

• Use the Microchip Parametric Search Tool to find and select AVR microcontrollers.

What software do I need to install to program an AVR microcontroller?

• Atmel Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE) from Microchip

What hardware do I need to program an AVR microcontroller?

Check the manufacturer’s web page for the specific microcontroller you are using for specific information on the hardware you need to program it. Some common programmers include:

• AVR Dragon from Microchip
• Using an Arduino as an AVR In-System Programmer (ISP) from Arduino.cc

What do I need to consider when designing a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes an AVR microcontroller?

• Application Note AN2519: AVR Microcontroller Hardware Design Considerations from Microchip

What online forums focus on AVR microcontrollers?

• AVR Freaks

Where do I find code examples and tutorials for AVR microcontrollers?

• AVR Programming tutorial from hackaday.com