Software Setup (Arduino IDE 1.0.X)

Since our Macchina is based on an Arduino MEGA 2560, the normal Arduino IDE (version 1.0) can be used with a few additions. Refer to this post for IDE 1.5 and up.

To get your computer talking with the Macchina, follow these steps:

On a Mac, first you will want to hold down 'control' and click the Arduino application icon - then select "Show Package Contents". Next, find the file called "boards.txt" which is can be found at: Contents>Resources>Java>hardware>arduino .

On a PC, open the folder where the 'Arduino' application is found. Then find the file "boards.txt" which can be found at: hardware>arduino

Open the "boards.txt" file and paste the text below to the end of that document.

##############################################################

macchina.name=Macchina

macchina.upload.protocol=stk500v2
macchina.upload.maximum_size=258048
macchina.upload.speed=115200

macchina.bootloader.low_fuses=0xE0
macchina.bootloader.high_fuses=0xD8
macchina.bootloader.extended_fuses=0xFD
macchina.bootloader.path=stk500v2
macchina.bootloader.file=stk500boot_v2_mega2560.hex
macchina.bootloader.unlock_bits=0x3F
macchina.bootloader.lock_bits=0xFF

macchina.build.mcu=atmega2560
macchina.build.f_cpu=16000000L
macchina.build.core=arduino

macchina.build.variant=macchina

----

Next create a folder inside the 'variants' folder and call it "macchina". ('variants' can be found on a Mac at: Resources>Java>hardware>arduino>variants, on a PC at: hardware>arduino>variants)

Put this file: pins_arduino.h inside this new 'macchina' folder.

Restart the Arduino IDE to make sure all the new settings are loaded.

To verify that everything is set up correctly, try out the "Blink" example found in: Files>Examples>0.1 Basics>Blink.

Change the LED to one of the on-board LEDs on the Macchina like this:

Hit the upload button, and you should see the TX/RX LEDs blinking quickly, meaning the code is being sent to the Macchina.

If all is well, you should see a blinking LED!

Note: pin numbers 81 or 82 are the on-board LEDs on Macchina, these pins would not normally be available on a typical Arduino Mega.