Comments: Pro Micro & Fio V3 Hookup Guide

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  • -------------------- Tech Support Tips/Troubleshooting/Common Issues --------------------

    Bricked Atmega32U4 (i.e. your Pro Micro disappeared from your Device Manager)

    Timing Issues w/ USB Communication through CDC

    Interrupts Atmega32u4's built in CDC driver for USB communication can have timing issues when messing with the watchdog timer, sleep modes, and timer interrupts. I am unsure of how to fix this issue if you continue to use code that interferes with the CDC. I recommend trying a different method than using the interrupt timers.

    Wrong Bootloader It's possible to brick your ATmega32U4 w/ Arduino bootloader if you used the wrong board selection with the wrong frequency. If you upload the wrong frequency, the IC will not be able to understand any new code that is being uploaded. It expects to have code that is compiled for another bootloader, instead of using its configured frequency with the oscillator.

    When either of these cases happens, the device manager is not able to recognize the device and is usually seen as an "unknown device" when the microcontroller runs the sketch. There are ways to recover the an Atmega32U4 (i.e. LilyPad Arduino USB - Atmega32U4 board, FioV3 - Atmega32U4, Pro Micro 5V/16Mhz, Pro Micro - 3.3V/8Mhz, etc) if this happens. Check below for more information:

    Here is a more in depth tip on recovering Atmega32U4s with different bootloaders listed in the product page's tech tips tab:

     
    Pro Micro Not Executing Code w/ Remote Power?

    If your Pro Micro works on a computer but does not when you power it remotely with a external power supply, it's possible there is a piece of code waiting for a a serial connection before the rest of the code executes. Makes sure that you do not have this in your code when the Atmega32U4 is not connecting to a computer's COM port:

    void setup(){
        Serial.begin(9600);
        while(!Serial){
        ; // wait for serial port to connect. Needed for native USB
        }
     }
    

    The CDC port of the Atmega32U4 based Arduinos might be causing the microcontroller to get stuck in the loop => https://www.arduino.cc/en/Serial/IfSerial .

    Issues Installing the Drivers?

    I just tested a 5V Pro Micro on a Windows 10 and I did not have any issues installing the drivers. The driver files do not indicate it is for Windows 10 but it somehow was able to still work. I recommend trying to follow the instructions listed on the hookup guide for more information => https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/pro-micro--fio-v3-hookup-guide#installing-windows . The only difference is that you are using signed drivers. Therefore, there will not be a pop up window with a warning message that shows up. By unzipping the downloaded files, you will find the signed drivers probably in a location similar to this:

    C:\...\Arduino_Boards-master\Arduino_Boards-master\sparkfun\avr\signed_driver
    

    Try using the latest drivers in GitHub if you still have issues => https://github.com/sparkfun/SF32u4_boards/tree/master/sparkfun/avr/signed_driver

    USB Port Issues and Drivers

    You can have issues using the Pro Micro if you are connecting to a USB3 port. The drivers will not install correctly unless they use a computer with USB2.0 port.

    There was an issue when a customer was using it on a Windows 7 64-bit OS. When connecting to a USB3 port the Pro Micro can report the hardware ID as:

    USB\VID_1B4F&PID_9206
    

    When connected to a USB2 port the Pro Micros should report the hardware ID as:

    5V/16MHz

    USB\VID_1B4F&PID_9206&REV_0100&MI_00
    USB\VID_1B4F&PID_9206&MI_00
    

    3.3V/8MHz

    USB\VID_1B4F&PID_9204&REV_0100&MI_00
    USB\VID_1B4F&PID_9204&MI_00
    

    The current version of the SparkFun FioV3 should be:

    USB\VID_1B4F&PID_F101&REV_0100&MI_00
    USB\VID_1B4F&PID_F101&MI_00
    

    Arduino Error

    If your Pro Micros were working initially and then you have this error output after updating to Arduino v1.6.9, you might need to uninstall/delete the preferences.txt file:

    .
    .
    .
    exec: "avr-g++": executable file not found in %PATH%
    Error compiling for board SparkFun Pro Micro 5V/16MHz
    

    There was a case where a customer had to reinstall Arduino IDE v1.6.9 a few times before getting their code to compile

    "To clean uninstall or reinstall, after doing Windows Uninstall, you have to rename or delete the preferences.txt file. Its path is given at the bottom of the File->Preferences dialog..."

    Pro Micro with Visual Studio

    An alternative to programming the Arduino IDE is using Visual Studio. A customer was able to upload code to their Pro Micros using Visual Studio. Here are some tips from the customer:

    "The Visual Studio IDE (C++ installation with Visual Micro Arduino add-on) is significantly easier to use than stock Arduino IDE. Furthermore, unlike Arduino which compiles all files every time, Visual Studio recompiles only changed source files, greatly speeding up the debug/test cycle. The Visual Micro Arduino add-on will work with the ProMicro provided ProMicro already works with the Arduino IDE (Arduino 1.0.6 is known to work with ProMicro and with VS2010). The Visual Micro add-on requires Arduino software to be installed because it invokes their gnu cross-compiler and linker. For BlinkProMicro to run: a) do not select a programmer as suggested by the Visual Micro site, and b) to see serial data appear in the monitor, be sure to check DTR at the bottom of the monitor window."

    Problems Opening a COM port on Linux

    There was a customer that had an issue on their Ubuntu Linux preventing them from accessing the enumerated port when a Pro Micro was connected. There is a fix by configurating some settings. Check below for more information:

    "On Ubuntu Linux, the modem manager was grabbing the Pro Micro as soon as it was plugged in, preventing anything else, such as the Arduino IDE from being able to open the port. This is apparently a known issue, but I had to go search it down, as there is no mention of it here...

    Fix:

    sudo echo 'ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b4f", ENV{ID_MM_DEVICE_IGNORE}="1"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/77-arduino.rules
    

    I found the explanation and fix on http://starter-kit.nettigo.eu/2015/serial-port-busy-for-avrdude-on-ubuntu-with-arduino-leonardo-eth/"

    Issues Uploading on Linux

    If you have problems uploading code with this error using the Pro Micro on a Linux machine:

     avrdude: ser_recv(): programmer is not responding
     avrdude: butterfly_recv(): programmer is not responding
    

    try following these instructions from Arduino => http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=217910.0. They need to change some udev rules. There was a customer had the same problem but got it working after changing the settings.

    Arduino IDE Automatically changing COM ports

    If you are using a device with the Atmega32U4 (like the Pro Micro or Arduino Fios) Arduino v1.6.3 will keep the same COM port after uploading. If you upload code using Arduino v1.6.5, the IDE will switch the COM port automatically when it is in bootloader mode. Once the sketch runs, the Arduino IDE v1.6.5 will not automatically switch it back to the COM port that the sketch runs on. You need to manually select the COM port if you want to upload or use the serial monitor.

    Uploading with XBee Attached to FioV3

    When an XBee is attached to the FioV3, you are able to still upload code. Looking at the Eagle files, the USB data lines are tied to the USB data pins of the Atmega32U4. This should be a separate line compared to the hardware UART lines that the XBee is attached to. The Atmega32U4 communicates with the hardware UART pins with the serial and serial1 functions. I tested this case 4 times and was able to still upload code to the FioV3 and connect to the XBee through the XCTU.

    Sending Characters through XBees with FioV3's Header Sockets

    Not seeing serial data when an XBee is attached to the FioV3? Make sure to use the correct function as stated in Example 1 of this tutorial. Feel free to use this modified serial passthrough code based on some of Jim's example codes [ https://github.com/bboyho/Atmega32U4Serial_Passthrough/blob/master/Atmega32U4Serial_Passthrough.ino ].

    • Old FioV3 Drivers

      If you are having issues installing the driver files from the GitHub repository, it's possible that you have an older version of the FioV3 [ https://www.sparkfun.com/products/retired/11017 ]. If you look at the older FioV3's "hardware ID" in the device manager, it can show up as:

      USB\VID_1B4F&PID_0004&REV_0100&MI_00
      USB\VID_1B4F&PID_0004&MI_00
      

      This indicates that it was using the older bootloader. Try using the old drivers [ http://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev/Arduino/Boards/Fiov3-10-8-12.zip ]. The SparkFun FioV3.inf unsigned driver file will include the old FioV3's VID and PID.

      Using Old Board Add-On

      Arduino v1.0.6 would be the best to use with the older FioV3 add-on files. I tested it on Arduino v1.6.5 but I was not able to see the board files due to the different structure requirements. One problem that I had initially was that I was not able to upload code with the Fiov3-10-8-12 add-on that was available. You need to make sure to uncomment the "Fio v3 (Diskloader)" board definition. Just go to the boards.txt file located in the ...Fiov3-10-8-12\FioV3 folder and remove the "#" between lines 27-41:

      fiov3L.name=Fio v3 (Diskloader)
      fiov3L.upload.protocol=arduino
      fiov3L.upload.maximum_size=28672
      fiov3L.upload.speed=1200
      fiov3L.bootloader.low_fuses=0xde
      fiov3L.bootloader.high_fuses=0xd8
      fiov3L.bootloader.extended_fuses=0xcb
      fiov3L.bootloader.path=diskloader-Fio
      fiov3L.bootloader.file=DiskLoader-Fiov3.hex
      fiov3L.bootloader.unlock_bits=0×3F
      fiov3L.bootloader.lock_bits=0×2F
      fiov3L.build.mcu=atmega32u4
      fiov3L.build.f_cpu=8000000L
      fiov3L.build.core=arduino-old
      fiov3L.build.variant=fiov3
      

      Installing the New FioV3 Bootloader

      If you want to upgrade to the latest firmware and use the old FioV3 with the new Arduino IDEs, you can reinstall the Caterina-fio.hex bootloader on a FioV3 using an AVR MKII Programmer. The fuse bits are the same so you do not need to configure them on the old FioV3. You just needs to connect the AVR programmer to the ICSP pins of the FioV3, erase the flash that is in the firmware (this should happen automatically when flashing the new firmware), flash the Caterina-fio.hex file, and then set the lock bits to 0xCF:

      FioV3's Hardware ID After Reinstalling

      The unsigned driver that was used in Fiov3-10-8-12 should still work and the FioV3's hardware IDs will display on your device manager as:

      USB\VID_1B4F&PID_F100&REV_0001
      USB\VID_1B4F&PID_F100
      

      You can also use the sparkfun.inf signed drivers that are listed in the GitHub repostory [ https://github.com/sparkfun/Arduino_Boards/tree/master/sparkfun/avr/signed_driver. Just make sure to uninstall and delete the driver before reinstalling the new drivers.

      Board Add-On with New FioV3 Bootloader

      After reinstalling the bootloader, I uploaded example code to the FioV3. Both the GitHub repository FioV3 add-on using Arduino v1.6.5 [called SparkFun Fio v3https://github.com/sparkfun/Arduino_Boards/blob/master/sparkfun/avr/boards.txt ] and the older Fiov3-10-8-12 add-on using Arduino v.1.0.6 [ called Fio v3 (Leonardo) ] was able to upload the example code.

      Resources and Going Further

      For an example of making a custom keyboard using the Cherry MX Switch [ https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13834 ] and the 3.3V/8MHz Pro Micro, try looking at our Enginursday blog post:

  • Member #687563 / about 8 years ago / 2

    With Arduino 1.6.6, the Arduino add-on package that is linked by this tutorial has some deprecated path variables that can be fixed, but you can avoid this issue by following the instructions for the adding sparkfun's boards to the board manager and using that to install the Arduino add-on here: https://github.com/sparkfun/Arduino_Boards

  • Jay6 / about 5 years ago / 1

    How to make a USB Powerbank keep providing power?

    My code works fine when plugged into a computer, and it also works fine when powered by a USB Powerbank, for a while (20-30 seconds). But, the current draw is relatively low (10mA most of the time, up to 200 mA when a micro-servo is active). The powerbank is going into an "auto-off" mode (I assume because the average power draw is so low). I have considered adding a resistor to increase the power draw, but this seems silly for a battery powered device.

    I was wondering if anybody had code/tips for how to "fake" being a phone and telling the USB charger to keep providing power even though the current draw was low via the USB port?

    • Member #1540865 / about 5 years ago / 1

      Yes, I can't remember where I read it, I believe it was in a USB Specs sheet for a samsung charger..... one of the data pins is pulled to ground by apple and android, I forget which one, and they both use a different standard to uniquely identify themselves. you may wish to try one, then the other. but the simple act of pulling a data pin to ground while plugged into the charger tells the charger that something is connected, without drawing too much power.

  • Refueux / about 6 years ago / 1

    Do I still need to do all that complicated installing addons & drivers when using Pro-Micro with ArduinoIDE 1.8.5? I mean that when I choose board with atmega32u4 and right COM I was able to use SparkFun Blinkes! sketch as it is but I'm having trouble with some other sketches. And I find RXled & TXled controlling bit tricky too, any tips for that? For example I wasn't able to dim them. Thanks.

    -SuperNoob

  • Member #1198044 / about 6 years ago / 1

    I'm confused about the pin mapping. If I use raw0 = analogRead(A6); // pin 4 raw1 = analogRead(A7); // pin 6 then A6 and A7 seem to be the correct way around. But if I do raw0 = analogRead(4); // pin A6 raw1 = analogRead(6); // pin A7 then the inputs are reversed, but according to the diagram, A6=pin 4 and A7 = pin 6. Have I got it wrong?

  • costyn / about 7 years ago / 1

    I seem to have bricked both ProMicro's I ordered. One of them I have been able to recover with the double tap to the reset button and quickly uploading it to the bootloader serial.

    The other I can't seem to do the same trick. The bootloader serial port shows up on my mac for 8 seconds as it should, if I do nothing: crw-rw-rw- 1 root wheel 18, 109 Mar 15 12:21 /dev/cu.usbmodem14131 but then as soon as I hit upload in the Arduino IDE, it disappears again, and the IDE complains it can't find the board.

    Any tips welcome.

    • Member #1540865 / about 5 years ago / 1

      I had done the same thing, reloaded the bootloader several times using another arduino as ISP, and the arduino IDE with the bootloader from sparkfun, with no progress.

      I then went back to ubuntu 14 on my old laptop inspiron 1525, installed the latest arduino IDE on it, using the command line (of course), then finding that all the communication problems were MIRACULOUSLY solved on the laptop alone, not my main destop that is MUCH newer, and running ubuntu 18. I believe that we are still running into rights management issues with ubuntu 18 regardless of hardware, and lack of error messages.

      I may end up regressing all machine to ubuntu 14 until the problem is solved.

      As stated earlier, all communication issues with the pro micro were resolved with my laptop, I reinstalled the bootloader with my laptop and old arduino uno as the ISP, then never got so much as an error message with the pro micro, as long as I keep it interfacing with the old laptop, and use the arduino leonardo chipset when programming to pro micro.

      Many things changed from the desktop to the laptop, I have the laptop running arduino IDE v 1.8.9 with avr boards library v1.6.23 for the arduino chipsets.

      Oh yeah, and I don't need to perform the Double-Tap method any more!

      Since your running Mac OS, I'm guessing as to the difference in O.S.'s but I suspect that MacOS may be using code from ubuntu or vise versa. Perhaps it is the installation method of the arduino IDE. I installed arduino IDE from Ubuntu software center, on the desktop, perhaps that is the difference. Perhaps try an older O.S.

  • LouisBertrand / about 8 years ago / 1

    The V1.3B (Pro_Micro_v13b.pdf) schematic identifies D9 shared with A8, but the Hookup Guide shows D9 shared with A9, and D8 shared with A8. There is no A9 on the schematic. Can anyone help clear up the confusion please? Thanks

    • M-Short / about 8 years ago / 1

      Sorry about the confusion. I remember digging into the port names, pin numbers, Arduino board definitions and following traces around the board files trying to figure that out because the schematics were so confusing (we are working on cleaning those up). The result ended up in the Graphical Datasheets. But the short answer is D9=A9 and D8=A8

  • Member #753120 / about 8 years ago / 1

    Correction to guide: TXLED1 turns off LED... not on...

  • Hi,

    i ve a little problem with the pro micro. it always connects as usb-hid-device :

    Bus 001 Device 089: ID 2341:8036 Arduino SA Leonardo (CDC ACM, HID)
    

    when i double shorten rst & gnd it will be for 8seconds:

    Bus 001 Device 092: ID 2341:0036 Arduino SA
    

    but there is no /dev/ttyUSBx so i cant select a port in ARDUINO 1.6.8 (tools\port\serial ports are grayed there are only tools\port\"/dev/ttyUSB0, /dev/ttyUSB1") if i connect a arduino uno or via ftdi an arduino mini i'll get "/dev/ttyUSB2" and i can program it.

    i also tried this: sudo echo 'ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b4f", ENV{ID_MM_DEVICE_IGNORE}="1"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/77-arduino.rules but no success =(

    i can see with dmesg how the MICRO switches (disconnect after 8sec and reconnect as HID-Device). Perhaps i forgot a special kernel option (make menuconfig)

    thanks for help

  • Member #670143 / about 8 years ago / 1

    Hello, I am not quite sure why, but the current release of the Arduino IDE (1.6.7) is throwing the following error:

    exit status 1 'Keyboard' not found. Does your sketch include the line '#include <Keyboard.h>'?

    Thoughts?

    • Member #670143 / about 8 years ago / 1

      Figured it out. The example code assumes you don't have to include any libraries. It says that in the text above the sample code. That appears not to be the case.

      Make sure you add:

      include "Keyboard.h"

      to your sketch.

  • Member #459538 / about 8 years ago / 1

    Is there any way to get the Pro Micro to work with 64 bit Windows 7? The only drivers I can find are for 32 bit systems.

    • M-Short / about 8 years ago / 1

      The drivers should work fine on either. I think most machines at SparkFun are 64-bit Windows 7 and we haven't had any problems. If you are having problems getting the posted drivers to work email techsupport@sparkfun.com and they can help you get it working.

      • Member #459538 / about 8 years ago / 1

        When I try to install the drivers suggested I get, "Windows has determined the driver software for your device is up to date." or "The folder specified doesn't contain a compatible software driver..."

  • Member #626390 / about 9 years ago / 1

    my mac is not recognizing the fio v3. I am running yosemite - any ideas on how I can get it to recognize?

  • Member #659222 / about 9 years ago * / 1

    I goofed :-(, excellent tuto !

  • LouisBertrand / about 9 years ago / 1

    What is the type of the USB connector? There are several types of the mini and micro. Thanks

    • M-Short / about 9 years ago / 2

      Both the Fio V3 and the Pro Micros use a microB. For a compatible cable check here.

  • Member #644003 / about 9 years ago / 1

    I'm a bit confused on the FIO hookup guide. I was under the impression the I2C connections are on A4 & A5. Though the image shows them on D2 & D3. Which is correct?

    • jimblom / about 9 years ago / 1

      D2 and D3 is correct for this version of the FIO; it uses the ATmega32U4, which has those pins assigned to I2C.

      You're right that any Arduino that uses an ATmega328 (like the Uno, Pro Mini, Pro, etc.) would have the I2C pins on A4/A5.

      • Member #644003 / about 9 years ago / 1

        So a got a couple of the Sparkfun 32U4 v3 FIOs, imagine my disappointment when I noticed what appeared to be a slam dunk for mounting an Adafruit ADC 16 bit analog board straight on top, only to find the SDA and SCL were swapped!

        Any suggestions for swapping the pins short of artful soldering of a miniature metal helix?

  • RocketGuy / about 10 years ago / 1

    It looks like pins 14 and 17 are swapped on the hookup guide (hopefully not swapped on the board!).

    Can you confirm/deny this is the case?

    • M-Short / about 10 years ago / 1

      Ahhhh.... The short answer is all the boards work correctly. Somewhere along the line something got mislabled (it might be on the actual part). I think the current boards/schematics are all correct though. On the Fio the ISP header works, on the Pro Micro the SPI pins are all there. Otherwise I suggest ignoring the labels and just seeing what works.

      • RocketGuy / about 10 years ago / 1

        I should clarify: the blue pin numbers on the hookup guide (not the board) look swapped. So maybe just needs a photoshop on the image to avoid confusion. Suspect the board is fine and the graphic is just mistaken.

  • Member #69070 / about 10 years ago / 1

    As mentioned in this tutorial the Arduino add files on do not work for Arduino V1.5. I have fixed this and put up a set of files that work with Arduino V1.5.5 These are available from http://www.forward.com.au/pfod/ArduinoProgramming/FioV3/index.html


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