# ambit-firmware: mapping Palette hardware for replacement firmware

> ambit-firmware develops alternative firmware for Palette devices using mapped AT90USB1286 pin connections. The hardware notes identify links to magnetic ports, I2C lines, LEDs and flashing headers; the firmware implements USB CDC control, basic LEDs and a failsafe bootloader path. Its roadmap lists display control and component communication as unfinished.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Firmware
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/khimaros/ambit-firmware>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/khimaros/ambit-firmware/blob/8affaad3bafe1ed991ac9dea1fa6dd5b135f5aee/docs/HARDWARE.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/ambit-firmware-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/ambit-firmware-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/ambit-firmware-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Builds with Make and AVR tooling for AT90USB1286; the README recommends a Teensy++ 2.0 development board.
- **Prerequisites:** Flashing a production Palette device may require opening its base and using ISP headers to recover bootloader access.
- **Limits:** Display control and the two-wire component interface are unfinished.
- **License:** GPL-3.0 license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/khimaros/ambit-firmware/blob/8affaad3bafe1ed991ac9dea1fa6dd5b135f5aee/docs/HARDWARE.md>
2. <https://github.com/khimaros/ambit-firmware/blob/8affaad3bafe1ed991ac9dea1fa6dd5b135f5aee/README.md>
3. <https://github.com/khimaros/ambit-firmware/blob/8affaad3bafe1ed991ac9dea1fa6dd5b135f5aee/ROADMAP.md>
4. <https://github.com/khimaros/ambit-firmware/blob/8affaad3bafe1ed991ac9dea1fa6dd5b135f5aee/LICENSE>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.