ATXMega16 cloning - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Stevenrb718
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 05:00:41 pm
content: I'm looking to clone an ATXmega16A4U. I have an Xeltec Superpro and a QFP44 -> DIP40 adapter. Can anybody give me advice on how to read the IC? Obviously the programmer is looking for the additional 4 pins.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 05:28:54 pm
content: the problems with xeltek if you have their higher end superpro 5k 6k 6.1k 7.5k they have eeproms / crypto ics on their socket, unless you try to patch your socket and related pins, you will need a proper socketor find non protected programmers like chipmaster, xegcu ones, TL866a or Tl866cs .... you need to check all their supported parts ... and they use cheap low cost sockets ...or if they are jtag or isp enabled, you can try to find low cost avr programmers ?and finally hope that your chip is not read protected

author: Stevenrb718
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 06:51:55 pm
content: I also have a T48, but the IC is not supported. I know the IC is not read-protected according to the manufacturer of the device. I'm not sure if the xeltek socket has a different pinout than the one I'm using (other than obviously converting to 40 pin), as I could just wire in the other 4.

author: PGPG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 06:57:49 pm
content: If remember well 8748 we were using at the end of 80s had no protection but 8751 (we used at the beginning of 90s) and any uC used later had protection against program reading. Do you assume that someone just forgot to set protection bits/fuses?

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2025, 02:58:53 pm
content: unless if it is on a pcb and some programming pins are available to be used with some avr isp or jtag adapters ...i was lucky a few times on some devicesi was able to solder some wires to the pins and was able to make dumps, hoping that the pins are not put directly to the vcc or grounds ...

author: Stevenrb718
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 27, 2025, 05:42:25 pm
content: 45Quote from: coromonadalix on July 25, 2025, 02:58:53 pmI have provided a pic of the jtag header. Would I be able to use a USB adapter of some form with a windows program to clone the IC instead rather than trying to use the Xeltek? I only mentioned the dip40 adapter because I have one. The ATXMega is in the device list of the Xeltek, but I don't know how to read it as a dip40.

author: daisizhou
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2025, 10:42:28 pm
content: Quote from: Stevenrb718 on July 27, 2025, 05:42:25 pmUsually the fuse bit is set to protect the read,Otherwise, the real purpose of choosing this microcontroller will be lost.

author: PGPG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2025, 09:35:44 am
content: Quote from: Stevenrb718 on July 27, 2025, 05:42:25 pmWe use AtXmegas since 15 years, I think.We program them using PDI interface (3 pin connection - (2 signals + GND)). At PCB we don't even use any connector, but 3 holes.It was long ago when I was doing it, but among PDI commands there certainly are commands to read flash. I remember I was verifying flash by reading its contents before I started to do it by comparing CRC calculated by uC with calculated by me.But few ms after verifying I protect uC against reading.At this PCB view you can see how I connect PDI (white place on the left) to 64 pin AtXmega:https://forum.kicad.info/t/approaching-pcb-track-routing-for-a-newbie/36302/8But, as I have said previously - it is hardly to believe that anyone left uC not protected against reading. But if you are sure it is not protected you should be able to read it using PDI.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2025, 01:26:46 pm
content: you never know lolli was lucky on my side ... i was able to clone some stuffcheap low cost avr programmers, jtag ... a few $ investment

author: Stevenrb718
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 01, 2025, 01:03:38 am
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on July 28, 2025, 01:26:46 pmWhich programmer and software would you suggest?

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2025, 02:33:33 am
content: you had some open souce diy pdi programmer ? cant recall where i saw itEDIT : some possibility here ?https://forum.arduino.cc/t/using-arduino-uno-as-updi-programmer-debugger-in-atmel-studio-for-avr128da28/1051544expensives one, not sue it supports it ?https://www.kanda.com/products/Kanda/HH0120V3.htmlseems this new pup, at a very cheap price can do it ?? not sure you need mplab ? I ordered 2x of them at 10.99 usd / ea ??https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tool/PG164100https://packs.download.microchip.com/DeviceDoc/Device_Support.pdfone problem is : many people and even me confuse your XMEGA with the normal mega (non - X)some reading and programming ?https://www.evilmadscientist.com/2010/say-hello-to-xmega/https://github.com/ElTangas/jtag2updi#using-with-avrdude