During reset, all I/O Registers are set to their initial values, and the program starts execution from the Reset Vector. The instruction placed at the Reset Vector must be an Absolute Jump instruction (JMP) to the reset handling routine for ATmega168/V. The instruction placed at the Reset Vector must be an Relative Jump instruction (RJMP) to the reset handling routine for ATmega48/V and ATmega88/V. If the program never enables an interrupt source, the Interrupt Vectors are not used, and regular program code can be placed at these locations. This is also the case if the Reset Vector is in the Application section while the Interrupt Vectors are in the Boot section or vice versa (only for ATmega88/Vand ATmega168/V). The circuit diagram in the next section shows the reset logic.
The I/O ports of the AVR are immediately reset to their initial state when a reset source goes active. This does not require any clock source to be running.
After all reset sources have gone inactive, a delay counter is invoked, stretching the internal reset. This allows the power to reach a stable level before normal operation starts. The time-out period of the delay counter is defined by the user through the SUT and CKSEL Fuses. The different selections for the delay period are presented in the System Clock and Clock Options chapter.