The Copper features an integrated USB bootloader which allows for reprogramming the device with nothing but the USB port. However, it can be a bit confusing to get everything set up correctly (install the trampoline in build rules, use the right linker commands, and get the drivers working), outside of AVR32 Studio or the included AVR32 Software Framework examples (which are a great way to get going by the way).

The most important document is the following PDF from Atmel: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc7745.pdf, which is meaty enough to require several read-troughs.

We have prepared the following tips to get running with the DFU:

  1. On Windows, you need to install the Atmel FLIP software, however you cannot use the graphical mode. You must either use the functionality as integrated into AVR32 Studio, or the BatchISP.exe command line as described in the Atmel document (above)
  2. If you are running 64bit Windows (Vista or 7), the drivers which are included with FLIP are not signed. Luckily, there is a community signed version of the drivers available at AVRFreaks.net. This is the same Atmel driver, with a generously donated digital signature so it passes Windows’ new signing requirements.
  3. The AVR32 Studio projects may or may not install the DFU trampoline, depending on the template chosen. Making a project for the EVK1101 reference board will bring in the necessary magic automatically, otherwise you need to add the Trampoline.s file to your build project.
  4. For command line/Makefile driven builds, the Atmel document provides the needed commands to add. Or, us one of the examples in the AVR32 Software Framework (the CDC Example for the UC3B1256 is a good starting point).
  5. If the USB DFU functionality does not appear in AVR32 Studio under targets (as described in the Atmel document), try changing the target type of the AVR32 Simulator first. Often, this will make the option available for “New Targets” (a random glitch).

A Wiki with more collaborative information is in the works, so stay tuned!