Burning a Bootloader into Arduino UNO Using Arduino Nano

Introduction

In the world of Arduino, the bootloader is a crucial component that allows you to upload sketches to your microcontroller easily. Sometimes, you may need to reset or reprogram the bootloader of an Arduino UNO using another Arduino, such as an Arduino Nano. In this article, we will walk you through the process of burning a bootloader into an Arduino UNO using an Arduino Nano as an ISP (In-System Programmer).

Why Use Arduino Nano?

Although both Arduino UNO and Nano use the ATmega328P microcontroller, they differ in form factor and pin layout. Despite these differences, they are fundamentally the same and can be used interchangeably for certain tasks, including burning bootloaders. This flexibility can be particularly useful if you do not have a specific bootloader burning tool available.

Step-by-Step Guide

Preparation

To burn a bootloader into an Arduino UNO using an Arduino Nano, follow these steps:

Upload the Arduino ISP Bootloader: First, you need to upload the Arduino ISP program to your Arduino Nano. Here's how you do it: Open the Arduino IDE. Go to File > Examples > ArduinoISP to find the Arduino ISP program example. Select the correct board (Arduino Nano) from the Tools menu. Choose the COM port that your Arduino Nano is connected to. Click the Upload button to send the Arduino ISP code to your Nano.

Connecting the Nano to the Uno

After uploading the ISP code to your Arduino Nano, disconnect it from your computer. Now, connect the following pins using a jumper wire:

Nano pin 13 Uno pin 13 Nano pin 12 Uno pin 12 Nano pin 11 Uno pin 11 Nano pin 10 Uno Reset pin Nano 5V Uno 5V Nano GND Uno GND

Burning the Bootloader

Now that the necessary connections are made, you can burn the bootloader to your Arduino UNO:

Open the Arduino IDE. Select the Arduino as ISP option from the Tools menu. Select the correct port that your Arduino UNO is connected to. Go to Tools > Burn Bootloader. Confirm that the burning process was successful. If everything is set up correctly, you should see a message saying "Done burning bootloader."

If you encounter any error during the burning process, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Change the Board to Duemilanove: If the error persists, try changing the board under the Tools > Board menu to Duemilanove w/ ATmega328 and select ATmega328P. Modify Source Files: If the above steps do not work, you may need to make changes to the source files. Refer to the official documentation for detailed instructions (see additional resources at the end of this article).

Additional Resources

For more detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips, refer to the following resources:

Burning the Bootloader on ATMega328 Using Arduino UNO As ISP

By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully burn a bootloader into your Arduino UNO using an Arduino Nano. This technique is particularly useful for hobbyists and professionals alike who need to reset or reprogram their boards without special equipment.

Conclusion

Both Arduino UNO and Nano use the ATmega328P microcontroller, making them interchangeable for many purposes, including burning bootloaders. By using the Arduino Nano as an ISP, you can easily perform this task without needing specialized tools. This guide provides a comprehensive and easy-to-follow process, ensuring that you can get your Arduino UNO back to its factory settings and ready for use.

References

Arduino IDE Manual Official instructions for burning bootloader