How to get Baite Pro Mini working?

Question

I have recklessly bought the Baite Pro Mini and I find it difficult to upload any program. I use Ubuntu Linux, but out of frustration I am ready to install Windows, if it is necessary.

I've read the information from the blog http://nerdralph.blogspot.ca/2014/01/baite-pro-mini-review.html . Too bad, that the blog owner didn't put much details. Can anyone here fill some blanks for me?

1. How exactly should I connect the Arduino device to the computer? I have a converter USB to serial pl2303HX: which I tried to connect with the Baite Pro Mini in almost any plausible permutation of the wires, but never got any result.

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edit:

Here is the description of pins of the pl2303HX:

I did connect it the following way:

Baite Pro Mini      pl2303HX
GND  
GND  <------------> GND
VCC  <------------> +5V
RXI  <------------> TXD
TXC  <------------> RXD
DTR

I also tried the permutation with different GND pin. I also tried pressing the reset button on the Baite Pro Mini around the time of hitting the "Upload" button on the Arduino standard compiler.

I believe my failure might have something to do with the absence of DTR pin on the converter that resets the board just before upload. Are my worries justified? Is there anything I can do?

2. Which exactly Arduino bootloader do I need?

3. How to connect USBASP to the Beite Pro Mini?

Answer 1

I have several clone Pro Minis I got from several sources on ebay for ~ £2 ($3) each. I also use Ubuntu (10.04 on this old PC but it's fine).

I started with a USB converter similar to yours and it was a bit hit-and-miss choosing when to press the reset to upload. Once I got connections right and worked out when to press reset it became a more reliable procedure but still a pain.

I realised that it would be better to use the auto-reset from DTR so I got a cheapo USB to serial from ebay which claimed to be FTDI (or compatible?) though I didn't know what that meant at the time. With a small converter board to make the right connections it works well.

Your connections look good so if you haven't damaged anything it's probably a matter of when to press reset. Windows won't help!

You must choose the correct board in the Tools menu of the Arduino IDE - Pro Mini with correct AVR chip, speed and voltage. I use programmer AVR ISP (I think)

Answer 2

Your connections are incorrect if you are "straight through" connecting.
Gnd & Vcc are adjacent on the processor board and separated by 2 pins on your converter.

If you find Gnd, Vcc, TX, RX on USB module and processor then you should

• Connect Gnd to Gnd

• Connect Vcc to Vcc

• Connect ........TXD to RXD and
  ........................RXD to TXD

• Ensure that you have the correct USB converter drivers loaded.

A reset does not seem to be needed when using the Baite processor AND Baite USB module.

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I have a number of Baite Pro Minis working perfectly.
In my experience (3 or 4 sales so far) Baite's products are usually of acceptable quality .

Connecting "almost any plausible permutation of the wires" is a fine way to attempt to destroy the converter and/or the BPM. Logical connection should work - if you have not damaged something.

Connect as Ignacio says.
Note that you connect BPM-TX to USB-converter-RX, and RX to TX and **NOT RX to RX). The BPM has connections shown on the PCB.

Baite provide this diagram

Your converter module has a different pinout which needs to be allowed for.

You must also have drivers on your system for the USB to serial bridge IC used on your converter. The Baite converter uses a CH340G IC. Your may or may not.