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Micron Document

Programmer (hardware)

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In the context of installing firmware onto a device, a programmer, device programmer, chip programmer, device burner,cite-ref-muller-2003-1-0[1] or PROM writercite-ref-cressler-2017-2-0[2] is a device that writes, a.k.a. burns, firmware to a target device's non-volatile memory.cite-ref-czerwinski-2013-3-0[3]

Typically, the target device memory is one of the following types: PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory, eMMC, MRAM, FeRAM, NVRAM, PLD, PLA, PAL, GAL, CPLD, FPGA.

Contents

• Connection

• Insertion

• Cable & port

• Transfer

• Types

• History

• Manufacturers

• See also

• References

• External links

Connection

Generally, a programmer connects to a device in one of two ways.

Insertion

In some cases, the target device is inserted into a socket (usually ZIF) on the programmer.cite-ref-mazidi-2017-4-0[4] If the device is not a standard DIP packaging, a plug-in adapter board, which converts the footprint with another socket, is used.cite-ref-edward-2006-5-0[5]

Cable & port

In some cases, a programmer connects to a device via a cable to a connection port on the device. This is sometimes called on-board programming, in-circuit programming, or in-system programming.cite-ref-ieee-2532-6-0[6]cite-ref-ieee-1532-by-agilent-7-0[7]cite-ref-jacobson-2012-8-0[8]

Transfer

Data is transferred from the programmer to the device as signals via connecting pins.

Some devices have a serial interfacecite-ref-ong-2001-9-0[9] for receiving data (including JTAG interface).cite-ref-mazidi-2017-4-1[4] Other devices communicate on parallel pins, followed by a programming pulse with a higher voltage for programming the data into the device.cite-ref-ravichandran-2001-10-0[10]

Usually, a programmer is controlled via a connected personal computer through a parallel port,cite-ref-muller-2003-1-1[1] USB port,cite-ref-review-tl866cs-11-0[11] or LAN interface. A program on the controlling computer interacts with the programmer to perform operations such as configure install parameters and program the device,cite-ref-muller-2003-1-2[1] cite-ref-ivf-1995-12-0[12] cite-ref-youtube-howto-13-0[13]cite-ref-minimum-need-to-know-14-0[14]

Types

There are four general types of programmers:

1. Automated programmers often have multiple programming sites/socketscite-ref-gang-by-oxford-dict-15-0[15] for mass production.cite-ref-mazidi-2017-4-2[4] Sometimes used with robotic pick and place handlers with on-board sites to support high volume and complex output such as laser marking, 3D inspection, tape input/output, etc.

2. Development programmers usually have a single programming site; used for first article development and small-series production.cite-ref-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review-16-0[16]

3. Pocket programmers for development and field service.cite-ref-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review-16-1[16]cite-ref-google-search-field-service-17-0[17]

4. Specialized programmers for certain circuit types only, such as FPGA,cite-ref-fpga-programmer-18-0[18] microcontroller,cite-ref-mazidi-2017-4-3[4] and EEPROM programmers.cite-ref-youtube-howto-13-1[13]

History

Regarding old PROM programmers, as the many programmable devices have different voltage requirements, every pin driver must be able to apply different voltages in a range of 0–25 Volts.cite-ref-godse-2008-19-0[19]cite-ref-ball-2002-20-0[20] But according to the progress of memory device technology, recent flash memory programmers do not need high voltages.cite-ref-choi-2009-21-0[21]cite-ref-eetimes-2002-22-0[22]

In the early days of computing, booting mechanism was a mechanical devices usually consisted of switches and LEDs. It means the programmer was not an equipment but a human, who entered machine codes one by one, by setting the switches in a series of "on" and "off" positions. These positions of switches corresponded to the machine codes, similar to today's assembly language.cite-ref-ducastel-2008-23-0[23]cite-ref-pdp8-24-0[24]cite-ref-nova3-25-0[25] Nowadays, EEPROMs are used for bootstrapping mechanism as BIOS, and no need to operate mechanical switches for programming.cite-ref-goel-2010-26-0[26]

Manufacturers

For each vendor's web site, refer to "External links" section.

• Batronix GmbH & Co. KG

• BPM Microsystems

• Conitec Datasystems

• Data I/O Corporation

• DediProg Technology Co., Ltd

• Elnec s.r.o

• Elprosys Sp. z o.o.

• halec

• Hi-Lo System Research

• MCUmall Electronics Inc.

• Minato Holdings

• Phyton, Inc.

• Xeltek Inc.