This is a log of what I have done to get Eclipse running with WinAVR on Windows XP. Maybe it’s helpfull for others.
Prerequisites
- Download a Java Runtime JRE or JDK, if you do not have already. Anything greater 1.4.2 should be ok.
- Download Eclipse 3.2.2 here
- Download the CDT 3.1.2 plugin for Eclipse C/C++ development here
- Download WinAVR 20070525 here
Install WinAVR
Start the executable and choose a directory to install to. Mine goes to c:\winavr-20070525.
Install Eclipse
Extract the downloaded zip into a directory, e.g. c:\Programme\eclipse. Eclipse is now already working. You may want to create a desktop shortcut for the executable.
Install CDT
Extract the zip into a tmp directory. Then select the contents of the features and plugins folder and copy them to the respective folders beneath the eclipse folder.
Startup
- Open eclipse. It will ask for a workspace folder. If you are new to eclipse, choose a folder, where you would like to put your source code.
- It starts with the Java perspective, but we want C/C++. Select “Open Perspective” from the upper right corner. Then select “Other”. Then select “C/C++”. Your screen should now show the perspective for C development.
Start a Project
- Now select “File/New” of the menu. Then select “Managed make C project”. This creates a project with automated make. You do not have to take care of the makefile yourself.
- Enter “test” as project name and select “next”.
- Select “executable (gnu on windows)” as Project type. We will change this later.
- “Debug” and “Release” are ok as targets. Release only is also ok.
- Select “finish”.
- Ignore the warning for now that appears in the problems tab.
Configuration
Now we have to configure the settings for the WinAVR compiler and linker.
- Select “Project -> properties”. If “properties” are greyed out, then click on the project folder “test” to select it. Now the “properties” menu should be selectable.
- Select “C/C++ Build” on the left list.
- Select “Release” as configuration. We will change this target only. If you want to configure the “Debug” target as well, then go through these steps again.
- Select the “GCC C Compiler” in the tree below.
- Change “gcc” to “avr-gcc”
- Select “symbols” and enter a new symbol for the speed of your board, e.g. “F_CPU=4096000″.
- Select “Directories” and add “C:\WinAVR-20070525\avr\include” to the includes.
- Select “Miscellaneous” and enter your type of controller, e.g. “-mmcu=atmega8″.
- Select “GCC C Linker” and change “gcc” to “avr-gcc”.
- Select the tab “Build Steps”.
- To convert the executable into a hex file, we use a post build step. Enter “Post-build step” as
"avr-objcopy -j .text -j .data -O ihex test.exe test.hex". - Select “ok” to close the properties dialog.
Testing the Configuration
- Right-click on your project folder and select “New -> Source File”
- Enter “test.c”. Now write a small test program.
/* * test.c */ #include <util/delay.h> #include <avr/io.h> #define LED PD4 int main(void) { // define pd4 as output DDRD |= (1 << LED); while (1) { PORTD |= (1 << LED); // switch on _delay_ms(100); _delay_ms(100); PORTD &= ~(1 << LED); // switch off _delay_ms(100); _delay_ms(100); } return 0; } - Saving triggers an automated build run. The console output should look like this:
**** Build of configuration Release for project test **** make -k all Building file: ../test.c Invoking: GCC C Compiler avr-gcc -DF_CPU=4096000 -I"C:WinAVR-20070525avrinclude" -O3 -Wall -c -fmessage-length=0 -mmcu=atmega8 -MMD -MP -MF"test.d" -MT"test.d" -o"test.o" "../test.c" Finished building: ../test.c Building target: test.exe Invoking: GCC C Linker avr-gcc -o"test.exe" ./test.o Finished building target: test.exemake --no-print-directory post-build avr-objcopy -j .text -j .data -O ihex test.exe test.hex Build complete for project test
- Now open up a command line in your project folder. Create a batch file “flash.bat” to transfer the hex file to your controller. This depends on your controller, programmer, etc. Mine looks like this:
c:\winavr\bin\avrdude -v -F -p ATmega8 -c avr910 -P com4 -U flash:w:%1:i.The -F switch is in the to force writing, even if the device signature is not recognized. Its just reversed. Omit it if you have no problems with that. - Now start the batch file to program your controller.
C:dataavrtest>flash Releasetest.hex C:dataavrtest>c:winavrbinavrdude -v -F -p ATmega8 -c avr910 -P com4 -U flash:w:Releasetest.hex:i avrdude: Version 5.1cvs Copyright (c) 2000-2005 Brian Dean, http://www.bdmicro.com/ System wide configuration file is "c:winavrbinavrdude.conf" Using Port : com4 Using Programmer : avr910 AVR Part : ATMEGA8 Chip Erase delay : 10000 us PAGEL : PD7 BS2 : PC2 RESET disposition : dedicated RETRY pulse : SCK serial program mode : yes parallel program mode : yes Timeout : 200 StabDelay : 100 CmdexeDelay : 25 SyncLoops : 32 ByteDelay : 0 PollIndex : 3 PollValue : 0x53 Memory Detail : Block Poll Page Polled Memory Type Mode Delay Size Indx Paged Size Size #Pages MinW Max W ReadBack ----------- ---- ----- ----- ---- ------ ------ ---- ------ ----- --- -- --------- eeprom 4 10 128 0 no 512 0 0 9000 90 00 0xff 0xff flash 33 6 64 0 yes 8192 64 128 4500 45 00 0xff 0x00 lfuse 0 0 0 0 no 1 0 0 2000 20 00 0x00 0x00 hfuse 0 0 0 0 no 1 0 0 2000 20 00 0x00 0x00 lock 0 0 0 0 no 1 0 0 2000 20 00 0x00 0x00 calibration 0 0 0 0 no 4 0 0 0 0 0x00 0x00 signature 0 0 0 0 no 3 0 0 0 0 0x00 0x00 Programmer Type : avr910 Description : Atmel Low Cost Serial Programmer Found programmer: Id = "AVR ISP"; type = S Software Version = 2.3; Hardware Version = 2.0 Programmer supports auto addr increment. Programmer supports the following devices: Device code: 0x1c = (unknown) Device code: 0x55 = ATtiny12 Device code: 0x01 = ATtiny13 Device code: 0x56 = ATtiny15 Device code: 0x13 = AT90S1200 Device code: 0x28 = AT90S4414 Device code: 0x20 = ATtiny84 Device code: 0x4c = AT90S2343 Device code: 0x30 = AT90S4433 Device code: 0x6c = AT90S4434 Device code: 0x38 = AT90S8515 Device code: 0x68 = AT90S8535 Device code: 0x41 = ATMEGA103 Device code: 0x46 = (unknown) Device code: 0x44 = (unknown) Device code: 0x03 = (unknown) Device code: 0x75 = ATMEGA6490 Device code: 0x74 = ATMEGA6450 Device code: 0x63 = (unknown) Device code: 0x64 = ATMEGA163 Device code: 0x79 = (unknown) Device code: 0x14 = (unknown) Device code: 0x15 = (unknown) Device code: 0x16 = (unknown) Device code: 0x17 = (unknown) Device code: 0x72 = ATMEGA32 Device code: 0x60 = ATMEGA161 Device code: 0x76 = ATMEGA8 Device code: 0x77 = (unknown) Device code: 0x3b = (unknown) Device code: 0x6a = (unknown) Device code: 0x5e = ATTINY26 Device code: 0x29 = (unknown) Device code: 0x2a = (unknown) Device code: 0x2b = (unknown) Device code: 0x06 = (unknown) Device code: 0x07 = (unknown) Device code: 0x08 = (unknown) Device code: 0x21 = (unknown) Device code: 0x09 = (unknown) Device code: 0x0a = (unknown) Device code: 0x22 = (unknown) Device code: 0x23 = (unknown) Device code: 0x24 = (unknown) Device code: 0x0b = (unknown) Device code: 0x0c = (unknown) Device code: 0x0d = (unknown) Device code: 0x18 = (unknown) Device code: 0x19 = (unknown) Device code: 0x25 = (unknown) Device code: 0x26 = (unknown) Device code: 0x27 = (unknown) Device code: 0x1a = (unknown) Device code: 0x1b = (unknown) Device code: 0x4b = (unknown) Device code: 0x4d = (unknown) Device code: 0x4e = (unknown) Device code: 0x4f = (unknown) avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.06s avrdude: Device signature = 0x07931e avrdude: Expected signature for ATMEGA8 is 1E 93 07 avrdude: safemode: lfuse reads as FF avrdude: safemode: hfuse reads as D9 avrdude: NOTE: FLASH memory has been specified, an erase cycle will be performed To disable this feature, specify the -D option. avrdude: erasing chip avrdude: reading input file "Releasetest.hex" avrdude: writing flash (122 bytes): Writing | ################################################## | 100% 0.53s avrdude: 122 bytes of flash written avrdude: verifying flash memory against Releasetest.hex: avrdude: load data flash data from input file Releasetest.hex: avrdude: input file Releasetest.hex contains 122 bytes avrdude: reading on-chip flash data: Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.25s avrdude: verifying ... avrdude: 122 bytes of flash verified avrdude: safemode: lfuse reads as FF avrdude: safemode: hfuse reads as D9 avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK avrdude done. Thank you. C:dataavrtest> - If all went well and you see an LED flashing, congratulations, you did it.
Notes
If you look closely at the steps where I program the controller, you will notice, that I do not use the avr-dude that came with the last WinAVR release. I tried it, but it refused to work, always complaining about not beeing able to verify the fuses. I went on with my old avr-dude which worked perfect.

9 responses so far ↓
1 Richard // Jun 8, 2007 at 18:40
Alex, thanks for taking the time to create this helpful log. I was able to successfully get your example to compile. I am trying a slightly more complex application that have built many times in the past. The one question I have that you might have some insight into is:
My project uses a series of files located in the source trees “/lib” directory which all have a “.a” extension. I was wondering how to include these into eclipse. I was guessing that I add them to the “Libraries (-l)” area in the “Libraries” section of the “CGG C Linker” setting in the “Tool Settings” tab of the “C/C++ Build” properties. Is that correct?
“C/C++ Build/Tool Settings/ GCC C Linker/Libaries/Libaries (-l)”
Any hints?
Thanks again for taking the time to help.
Richard
2 Alex // Jun 10, 2007 at 01:44
Hi Richard,
yes, the “-l” should do the job.
Regards,
Alex
3 Doug Daniels Dev Journal » links for 2007-06-07 // Jun 18, 2007 at 13:00
[...] Tinkerlog » Blog Archive » Programming AVR with Eclipse and WinAVR This is a log of what I have done to get Eclipse running with WinAVR on Windows XP. Maybe it’s helpfull for others. (tags: eclipse avr embedded programming microcontrollers) [...]
4 DarkWing // Jul 15, 2007 at 20:46
Thx for nice tutorial…
I gave eclipse a serious effort, but sometimes i responds slow or worse freeze. ( A lot of nice stuff but very vital functions works slow or unreliable )
Then I tried CodeBlocks, http://www.codeblocks.org
In less then 1 hour I had everything working RockSolid compared to eclipse ( Reading the link below ). And better than CodeVision !!!
http://www.frozeneskimo.com/electronics/arm-tutorials/adapting-codeblocks-ide-for-arm-development/
Thanks a lot for very interesting blog Alex !! I will keep an eye on your gps solution.
/DarkWing
5 Michael Shimniok // Feb 13, 2008 at 20:33
Alex, thanks for taking the time to post this. Quick question, do you know how to set up avrdude to work in a more “integrated” fashion with eclipse? (e.g., associate it with some kind of button or something… and take in the parameters configured for the project for cpu type, target, etc.) ? Thanks much!
(I’m working on a Mac but…should be more or less the same… FWIW I did a writeup for setting up the AVR tools on Mac here if anyone is looking: http://bot-thoughts.blogspot.com/2008/02/avr-programming-on-mac.html)
Thanks again!
Michael
6 Alex // Feb 13, 2008 at 21:34
Hi Michael,
take a look at http://tinkerlog.com/2007/08/01/avr-plugins-for-eclipse/
This plugin is able to use and control avrdude to upload your program.
I haven’t looked into it for a while, but I think there is a newer version available.
Cheers,
Alex
7 Giona // Jun 14, 2008 at 10:19
Hi Alex!
Thank you for this great tutorial!
I’ve a question for you,…
Are you able to do the same tutorial but for ecplise 3.3 ?
I really do not find the location of the eclipse3.2 propriety in the 3.3!
8 Alex // Jun 14, 2008 at 13:28
Hi Giona,
at the moment I am not using Eclipse, so I haven’t updated to 3.3. Sorry.
Cheers,
Alex
9 Giona // Jun 14, 2008 at 15:44
Thank you for tha answer, I find out the 3.3 plugin “Avr plugin” …. now it seems to work properly!
Thanks again!
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