Microchip Technology ATICE10

Overview

ATICE10 from Atmel (now Microchip Technology) is a real-time in-circuit emulator (ICE) for AVR Flash microcontrollers, supporting device-level debugging via RS-232 host interface at 19200 bps, featuring a 32K × 96-bit trace buffer, unlimited breakpoints, full register and memory visibility, and dual logic analyzer outputs for instruction address and data bus monitoring. It enables real-time prototyping and debug of ATtiny and AT90S-series MCUs including ATtiny15, AT90S2313, AT90S8515, and AT90S8535.

For engineers reviewing the ATICE10 datasheet, ATICE10 pinout, ATICE10 application, or ATICE10 equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, supported device list, trace buffer architecture, host interface timing, logic analyzer signal mapping, and pod-based voltage translation behavior - all confirmed from the official AVR ATICE10 User Guide (Rev. 1632B-09/01).

Technical Context

The ATICE10 operates as a hardware-in-the-loop emulation platform that replaces the target AVR MCU while mirroring its digital and analog on-chip functions. It uses an internal programmable clock generator (400 kHz–20 MHz, <200 ppm accuracy) and supports external clock sources from 32.768 kHz to 10 MHz via the AT90ADCPOD pod.

Emulation control is handled through AVR Studio v3.5+, with configuration stored in 6-slot Flash memory inside the ICE10 unit. Trigger I/O (5 inputs/5 outputs) and logic analyzer outputs (LA1/LA2) are synchronized to the emulated AVR clock, enabling cycle-accurate event capture and oscilloscope/logic analyzer correlation.

Key Specifications

Availability

ATICE10 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for embedded firmware development, production validation, and educational MCU training requiring stable component supply, long-term toolchain continuity, and legacy AVR architecture support.

Supply support for ATICE10 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a global semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and development tools for embedded systems.

The ATICE10 belongs to Atmel's legacy AVR In-Circuit Emulator product line, designed specifically to accelerate firmware development and hardware-software co-debugging for 8-bit AVR Flash MCUs prior to mass production.

FAQ

What is the ATICE10 used for?

The ATICE10 is an in-circuit emulator for Atmel AVR microcontrollers that allows real-time debugging by replacing the target MCU during development. It provides full visibility into registers, memory, and I/O states, supports unlimited breakpoints and cycle-accurate tracing, and interfaces with AVR Studio v3.5+. The ATICE10 enables engineers to validate firmware behavior against actual hardware timing and peripheral interactions before final silicon deployment.

Which microcontrollers does the ATICE10 support?

The ATICE10 supports a defined set of legacy AVR devices including ATtiny11, ATtiny12, ATtiny15, ATtiny22, ATtiny28, AT90S1200, AT90S2313, AT90S2323, AT90S2333, AT90S2343, AT90S4414, AT90S4433, AT90S4434, AT90S8515, and AT90S8535. Support is implemented via two interchangeable pod cards - ATtiny15POD (for ATtiny15 only) and AT90ADCPOD (for all other listed devices) - each with specific jumper or software configuration.

How does the ATICE10 connect to a PC and target board?

The ATICE10 connects to a PC via a standard RS-232 cable (19200 bps, N81) to any COM port, with automatic detection by AVR Studio. It connects to the target board using either the ATtiny15POD or AT90ADCPOD pod card, linked via a dedicated pod cable and matched-pin-count probe (8-, 20-, 28-, or 40-pin). Power is supplied separately via a 9–15 VDC input; target power must be disconnected during probe insertion to prevent damage to the ATICE10 or pod.

What are the key debugging features of the ATICE10?

The ATICE10 offers unlimited breakpoints, a 32K × 96-bit trace buffer capturing program execution history per clock cycle, five trigger inputs (rising-edge break), five trigger outputs (one-cycle pulses per instruction), and dual logic analyzer outputs (LA1 for address bus A15–A0, LA2 for data bus D15–D0). All signals are synchronized to the emulated AVR clock, enabling precise hardware correlation - a capability confirmed in Section 3.6–3.8 of the official ATICE10 User Guide.

Does the ATICE10 require special software or drivers?

The ATICE10 requires AVR Studio version 3.5 or later, which is provided on the included Atmel CD-ROM and supports Windows 95 through Windows 2000. No additional drivers are needed beyond standard Windows RS-232 COM port support. Configuration is performed entirely within AVR Studio's Emulator Options and ICE10 Configuration System dialogs; no third-party tools or firmware flashing utilities are required to operate the ATICE10.