Has anyone seen or know of a method of preloading (using a computer or whatever) a firmware as data onto one arduino set up to operate as an isp and then using that arduino plug the isp interface into another and upload the firmware.
To be clear - i'm looking for a way to make uploading arduino sketches possible without a direct connection to a full blown computer.
Ideally the steps involved would be:
- Write new sketch/firmware
- Compile firmware
- Write a copy firmware onto Arduino A as data (Arduino A is set up to work as ISP)
- Detach Arduino A from the computer
- In a seperate location attach Arduino A to Arduino B using ISP headers
- Using some method (maybe a pushbutton) trigger Arduino A to upload the preloaded firmware onto Arduino B.
I'm assuming that theoretically it could work because uploading firmware is just an exchange of bytes across the SPI interface but i'm not sure about the reality.
The scenario for which I'm considering is if I were to install an arduino (permanently) in a location that is remote from my computer (I don't have a laptop nor do I want to get one) it would be troublesome to reprogram it.
The other method I have considered is using the DIL packaged ATMEGA which I can then remove from the board and program at the computer and return to the board - however I would much prefer not to risk bending of pins and the hassle of having to remove the chip each time I want to reprogram.