Programming the new ATtiny from Arduino using UPDI [Beginner Tutorial]

This tutorial shows how to make a cheap and simple UPDI Programmer and upload a sketch to the new ATtiny micro controller series. The programmer is made from an old Arduino Nano and requires only two additional passive components. The megaTinyCore library provides an Arduino core to start developing. A short blink sketch demonstration should provide a good start for every beginner in this matter.

Links to the github projects:
Boards package url:

Links to the parts (affiliate links):
Arduino nano clone ($2):
Electrolytic Capacitors 12Values (120pcs $1.60):
Metal Film Resistors 30 Values (600pcs $2.65):
ATTiny ($0.65):

SOP16 SSOP16 Break Out Board (20pcs $2):
SOP16 Programming Adapter ($2.20 shipped):
5mm LEDs (different colors 100pcs for ~$1):
Breadboard Set (~$3.50):

My camera and lens (4k 60fps):

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#electronics #diy #tutorial

[Nono-hkis]

Spence Kinds is my hero. I've been using his attiny core for years. I'm glad he's working on the new tiny's.

[MarcusAshleyLowDBs]

Amazing work. Thank you for your in-depth, no assumptions, every step is shown work. People should use your videos as a standard for electronic tutorials.

[seferideveloper]

I always feel myself like a silly when i try to search how to program new tinys and megas. Finally i could understand. Thanks a lot.

[arnauddurand]

A quick extension of this tutorial to illustrate how to send a 12V pulse to RESET to put the ATtiny back in UPDI mode would be awesome! This is very useful for the low pin count variants.

[StephenBrown]

This tutorial was great! There are so many confusing guides to get this chip working but yours was crystal clear and worked perfectly first time!

[jparky]

Brilliant!
I've only just become aware of the new attiny chips.
Looking into programming them looked to be a bit of a nightmare.
As well as expensive if you use the official AVR package.

So thanks for putting this tutorial together.

[pauldusa]

I built a 3 wire UPDI interface out of a USB Ftdi and a arduino pro mini for my Attiny 3217. Very small and handy. Works well..

[thenoisyelectron]

I keep coming back to this video when I reformat my PC and forget how to set everything up to program these little brains :)

[power-max]

I implemented a small 30W LED driver (boost converter) and used an ATtiny1616 MCU because it had a DAC that I could use to set the brightness without PWM, but was halted by the fact I had to development environment in Linux or a programmer for it. Guess I need to dig that project out of the failed projects bin!

[cashewmilkfan]

YAY! I got my attiny402 working thank you so much for the clear and professional tutorial <3

[GnuReligion]

Very glad to find your video about this. Have avoided buying any of the new AVR chips for the uncertainty of being able to program them without an expensive, proprietary device. I made a PDI programmer a couple years back for some Xmega chips ... it was a 2-wire affair though, that uses a special patched USBASP. It is nice that STM32 and ESP chips ship with the ability to program through ordinary serial ... though 57600/8E1 is a bit weird.

[johnconnolly]

Brilliant! A very concise, elegant tutorial. A little humour always helps, too. Thank you.

[Lyndon_K]

Wow, what a great video! All of your explanations were super clear and the editing was superb. 👍 Thank you very much! 🙂

[Evgen-Evgen-Evgen]

Thanks, works with tinyAVR 2 Family, specificly with ATtiny1626 and 1624

[deathshaker]

Yep watching this video makes me feel more like a nerd then ever! Thanks Luni! ;) Don't forget the cap... ok I have breakout boards.... ok I have adapter socket and the CMOS clip ok I just need a some ICs and a projects.

[pandarojodronero]

i didn't have any idea about the new atinys and this new interface, and the SWD with only to pins seem nice before... and using the reset pin! genius!

[DRSDavidSoft]

Great style of explanation, I praise your ability to go into the fundamental details.

[philippeschjelderup]

Great work man! I got my Attiny1604 to work based on your video today! I noticed one thing people should be aware of. I'm using an Arduino Nano with an Atmega168, and in Arduino IDE it reports that it has 16k programming memory. And since the Attiny1604 only have 8k you can be fooled to think that you have more memory than you actually do. Make sure you stick to the limit on the actual Attiny and not the device you use to program it with.

[BernhardHofmann]

I just watched this on my TV where I can't comment. This video is so well packed with information and humour I just had to get my phone out and let you know I loved this. I laughed out loud when I heard the crickets. 🤣

You've gained another subscriber!

[Vimerum]

Your videos are always awesome and that end song it's amazing as well