Installing USB Serial Drivers
The USB plug is how you will need to program and debug your code. We use it to both power your project and also provide the USB serial interface. On the Feather 328P we use the SiLabs CP2104 chip, and you'll need to install drivers if you are using Mac or Windows. Linux comes with both drivers already.
Windows users can try plugging the board in, Windows update will probably install drivers for you. If the device is not recognized, simply download and install the Adafruit Windows Driver package below. When you run it, make sure to click that you want to install the SiLabs CP210x chip drivers too!
If you are running Mac OS X , please use the SiLabs drivers here
Once drivers are installed and you've rebooted, you will have a Serial COM port.
Using the Arduino IDE
The Adafruit Feather 328P is an 'Arduino Compatible' - that means that when using the Arduino IDE or other Arduino-friendly development environments, you can simply treat the Feather like an Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V, 8MHz device.
There's two ways you can get your Feather 328P going within Arduino IDE.
The Easy way requires no extra steps, and will work with any version of Arduino IDE - but the menu doesn't say Feather 328P and maybe you're picky and like the Menu to appear right
The Advanced way requires more steps, but the menu will say Feather 328P when you upload code
The Easy Way
Lets start with the Easy Way.
If you have not yet installed Arduino IDE - visit arduino.cc and Download the Latest Version of the Desktop IDE
Then from Tools select the Port to be the serial port of the Feather. See above for how to find your COM/Serial port!
Advanced Arduino IDE Setup
If you don't want to have to remember to select Pro Mini you can add the Adafruit AVR package to your IDE, which will make a Feather 328P menu item appear.
- Add the Adafruit Board Support Package (BSP) to Arduino by following these steps here
- Install the Adafruit BSP for AVRs by following these steps here
- You can now select Adafruit Feather 328P
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