In this tutorial im going to explain how to flash the ats20+ sdr receiver using a usbasp programmer and avrdudess software. If like myself you picked up a cheap chinese Ats20+ sdr receiver and like my own could not flash via the micro usb socket, you will need to program with a usbasp programmer and connect to the programmer to the arduino board with the 6 pin connector. I will try and link the exact links that i used.
Firstly i bought a ATS20+ sdr receiver from aliexpress shipped from china for under £20 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007053017406.html
After learning about the radio on youtube i discovered their is modified firmware available for this unit by Goshante that really opens up the radio. Ive put the link below to the modified firmware page. Check out the link to see the advanced features. Download the hex file from here https://github.com/goshante/ats20_ats_ex/releases/tag/v1.18 which is the latest modified firmware and save on your computer.
This is the link to the new firmware features: https://github.com/goshante/ats20_ats_ex
I watched tutorials on youtube showing how you simply flash this receiver using a micro usb cable. I already had one of these but i simply could not get it connect to the unit. It seems this is a common issue on cloned adruino units. This further led to the fact i had to flash the unit using a usbasp programmer.
The next step was straight to the old trusty ebay to purchase one.
Link to one i purchased, cheap as chips(£3.95): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313603434374
I didnt realise at this point i needed a 10pin to 6 pin connector to connect the usbasb to the adruino 6 pin connector. In my haste i next day delivery ordered from amazon. The sellar i purchased from is out of stock but this is the same thing https://www.amazon.co.uk/10-Pin-Convert-Standard-Adapter-STK500-AVRISP/dp/B07519FYFT?crid=27SXIB8ROHRXE&dib
So the first thing we need is the drivers for the programmer, you can connect the usbasp to a windows 10 laptop and it will try to install the device, the device may get listed but not with the correct drivers. These are obtained using a program called zadig. This program is free and can be obtained from https://zadig.akeo.ie/
You will need to install the winusb driver, select the usbasp highligthed in the first box from the drop down menu and then secondly the select the winusb highlighted in the right second drop down box above. Once it installed the drivers succesfully its always good practice to reboot your computer.
So with the computer rebooted, the usbasp connected to the computer and the usbasp connected to the adruino board inside the ats20+ using the 10 pint to 6 pin connector, we are now ready to install avrdudess.
This programming software is found on github, the lates release version is v2.18 found here: https://github.com/ZakKemble/AVRDUDESS/releases/tag/v2.18
Install the software on your computer.
Open up the software and you will be met with the screen below.
Now we need to change a few options.
On the programmer box select usbasp as above.
To the right you see the mcu (p) optionbox, select ATMEGA328P
Set port: usb
Set Baudrate : 115200
Bitclock, set default: 375khz
Under flash setting select the box to find the hex file firmware previously downloaded.
Once selected make sure the option below Write is selected.
Check this image below to ensure you have selected the correct options.
With all options checked correctly simply hit program.
After the process is done simply reboot your ats20+ to correct the screen font
