This document covers both the STKMega8 starter kit and the Mega8 ICE， the main

　　difference between these two products is the Mega8 ICE can be connected to your own

　　board’s CPU using either the supplied DIL ICE connection header or the supplied Micropins if you are using TQFP/MLF package. The STKMega8 is a starter kit only and does

　　not have any “ICE” connection means to your own board; some of the Mega8 ICE

　　circuitry is also removed. Both products are supplied with a 34-way connection interface

　　to allow the attachment of your own external breadboard during prototype stage; the

　　Mega8 ICE product can thus be used as a starter kit. Both products are supplied with

　　Windows STUDIO+ software allowing real-time emulation/debugging for the Mega8

　　CPU， for assembly/code download you can use the FREE ATMEL STUDIO software.

　　For code download you can use either the ATMEL RS232 AVRISP or the Flash Parallel

　　Port Universal ISP programmer connected to the Mega8 10 way ISP port or use the

　　FREE PONYPROG windows software which can download code via the Mega8 module

　　RS232 port. The latter approach does not require the purchase of any programmer and a

　　single PC RS232 port can be used for both code download and debugging. Using

　　STUDIO+ is superior/faster than using a simulator as all timers/CPU functions are

　　operating correctly. The STUDIO+ debugging software can operate either via the CPU

　　UART or via two spare CPU I/O pins. Flash supply a UART based “ISD” （In-SystemDebugger） to allow you to debug your code， other third party “ISD” code may be

　　supplied but Flash offer no support for third party ISD’s. Flash provide tested/working

　　example assembler and ‘C’ programs with the UART ISD included at link time， we

　　recommend you run these examples first before debugging your own code.