What is it?

A self contained, 5V powered programming device to flash the Arduino UNO boot loader (Optiboot) on an empty or previously used ATmega328P, the most common "Arduino controller". Insert a blank or previously otherwise used chip in the ZIF socket, press the start button, and wait for about 7 seconds. Voilà, a new "Arduino UNO R3 Controller" is born. Now the chip can be used on an Arduino UNO R3 board with 16MHz external clock generation, or any other setup which requires a boot loader to be installed on the controller.

The programmer has 3 LEDs to show the power status, success or failure of programming, and it also gives you acoustic notifications.

What is in the box?

• Assembled and tested device
• USB power cable

Why did we make it?

The demand on with the boot loader pre-programmed ATmega328P-PU is pretty high, but the pre-programmed chip available from Arduino store sells for hefty 4.95 USD, compared to a blank chip for just about 2 bucks. Means the Stand-Alone Programmer saves you money already with the 5th programmed chip. We use 2 of these programmers to prepare about 5000 ATmega328P-PU per year.

What makes it special?

It comes with a ZIF socket (zero insertion force) and is capable of programming thousands of chips without wear. Of course it is possible to flash a boot loader in different ways, for example with Atmel's STK, or using another Arduino board. But this is not convenient when it comes to mass production.

This device is so easy to use, that we didn't bother to write a manual, explaining how to plug in the power supply cable.