Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Programmer (hardware)
open-in-new
<h2 id="connection">Connection</h2> <p>Generally, a programmer connects to a device in one of two ways. </p> <h3>Insertion</h3> <p>In some cases, the target device is inserted into a socket (usually <a href="/facts/Zero_insertion_force/6Ef7CIEe">ZIF</a>) on the programmer.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a>: 642, pdf15 If the device is not a standard <a href="/facts/Dual_in-line_package/Qgu6Jave"><i>DIP packaging</i></a>, a plug-in adapter board, which converts the <a href="/facts/Footprint_(electronics)/SQHRFnAY">footprint</a> with another socket, is used.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a>: 58 </p> <h3>Cable & port</h3> <p>In some cases, a programmer connects to a device via a cable to a connection port on the device. This is sometimes called <i>on-board programming</i>, <i>in-circuit programming</i>, or <i><a href="/facts/In-system_programming/Ee08HGXA">in-system programming</a></i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="transfer">Transfer</h2> <p>Data is transferred from the programmer to the device as signals via connecting pins. </p><p>Some devices have a serial interface<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a>: 232, pdf3 for receiving data (including <a href="/facts/JTAG/IxRc5rG7">JTAG</a> interface).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a>: 642, pdf15 Other devices communicate on parallel pins, followed by a programming pulse with a higher voltage for programming the data into the device.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a>: 125 </p><p>Usually, a programmer is controlled via a connected <a href="/facts/Personal_computer/koaYfNce">personal computer</a> through a parallel port,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a>: 364 <a href="/facts/USB/XcIKWLyg">USB</a> port,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> or <a href="/facts/Local_area_network/edUDxJ6J">LAN</a> interface. A <a href="/facts/Computer_program/e38jH9N9">program</a> on the controlling computer interacts with the programmer to perform operations such as configure install parameters and program the device,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a>: 364 <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a>: 430 <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="types">Types</h2> <p>There are four general types of programmers: </p> <ol><li>Automated programmers often have multiple programming sites/sockets<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> for mass production.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> 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.</li> <li>Development programmers usually have a single programming site; used for first article development and small-series production.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a></li> <li>Pocket programmers for development and field service.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a></li> <li>Specialized programmers for certain circuit types only, such as <a href="/facts/Field-programmable_gate_array/M8LSGcAU">FPGA</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Microcontroller/MKrnAhnm">microcontroller</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a>: 642, pdf15 and <a href="/facts/EEPROM/0yAMFY0I">EEPROM</a> programmers.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a></li></ol> <h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a>: 651 <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a>: 40 But according to the progress of memory device technology, recent flash memory programmers do not need high voltages.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a> </p><p>In the early days of <a href="/facts/Computing/Kghtm9fX">computing</a>, <a href="/facts/Booting/j6N1kRpc">booting</a> mechanism was a mechanical devices usually consisted of switches and <a href="/facts/Light-emitting_diode/gE8x4MDb">LEDs</a>. It means the <i>programmer</i> was not an equipment but a human, who entered <a href="/facts/Machine_code/bgdQ1Fxf">machine codes</a> 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 <a href="/facts/Assembly_language/7XuV0cla">assembly language</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a>: 261–262 <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32"><sup>32</sup></a> Nowadays, <a href="/facts/EEPROM/0yAMFY0I">EEPROMs</a> are used for <a href="/facts/Bootstrapping/6dkM4EQv">bootstrapping</a> mechanism as <a href="/facts/BIOS/AYYPUogS">BIOS</a>, and no need to operate mechanical switches for programming.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33"><sup>33</sup></a>: 45 </p> <h2 id="manufacturers">Manufacturers</h2> <p>For each vendor's web site, refer to "External links" section. </p> <ul><li>Batronix GmbH & Co. KG</li> <li>BPM Microsystems</li> <li>Conitec Datasystems</li> <li>Data I/O Corporation</li> <li>DediProg Technology Co., Ltd</li> <li>Elnec s.r.o</li> <li>Elprosys Sp. z o.o.</li> <li>halec</li> <li>Hi-Lo System Research</li> <li>MCUmall Electronics Inc.</li> <li>Minato Holdings [ja]</li> <li>Phyton, Inc.</li> <li>Xeltek Inc.</li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Off-line_programming_(robotics)/maNdYF2N">Off-line programming</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/In-system_programming/Ee08HGXA">In-system programming</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Debug_port/RnHjL7Fz">Debug port</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/JTAG/IxRc5rG7">JTAG interface</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Common_Flash_Memory_Interface/1nlE5G1K">Common Flash Memory Interface</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Open_NAND_Flash_Interface_Working_Group/xdhCJkH9">Open NAND Flash Interface Working Group</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Atmel_AVR/JvfUk4ya">Atmel AVR#Programming interfaces</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/PIC_microcontroller/NrRJCqHS">PIC microcontroller#Device programmers</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Intel_HEX/2LWl2u83">Intel HEX</a> – ASCII file format</li> <li><a href="/facts/SREC_(file_format)/EkyL5b8R">SREC</a> – ASCII file format</li> <li><a href="/facts/Executable_and_Linkable_Format/ro2CYqso">ELF</a> – Binary file format</li> <li><a href="/facts/COFF/ye0Gwm2a">COFF</a> – Binary file format</li> <li><a href="/facts/Hardware_description_language/g19KvKCu">Hardware description language</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li>Technical information <ul><li><a href="https://www.jedec.org/category/technology-focus-area/memory-configurations-jesd21-c">JEDEC - Memory Configurations: JESD21-C</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.jedec.org/standards-documents/docs/jesd-6801/">JEDEC - Common Flash Interface (CFI) Specification, JESD68.01, September 2003.</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.delorie.com/agenda/specs/29220404.pdf">Intel - Common Flash Interface (CFI) and Command Sets</a></li> <li><a href="https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/1532/3366/">IEEE Std 1532-2002 (Revision of IEEE Std 1532-2001) - IEEE Standard for In-System Configuration of Programmable Devices</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?&ckey=2052199">What is the IEEE 1532 Standard? | Keysight Technologies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.jedec.org/document_search/field_keywords/logic-device-programmer-2848">JEDEC - STANDARD DATA TRANSFER FORMAT BETWEEN DATA PREPARATION SYSTEM AND PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC DEVICE PROGRAMMER: JESD3-C, Jun 1994</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.jedec.org/committees/jc-42">JEDEC - JC-42 Solid State Memories</a></li></ul></li></ul> <ul><li>Manufacturers <ul><li><a href="https://www.batronix.com/menu/programming_technologies.html">Batronix GmbH & Co. KG</a></li> <li><a href="https://bpmmicro.com/programmers/">BPM Microsystems</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.conitec.com/">Conitec Datasystems Inc.</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dataio.com/">Data I/O Corporation</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.elnec.com/en/">Elnec s.r.o.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.diagprog4.com/">Elprosys Sp. z o.o.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dediprog.com/">Dediprog</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.halec.de/en/products/roloflash/">halec</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.hilosystems.com/">Hi-Lo System Research Co. Ltd.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mcumall.com/">MCUmall Electronics Inc.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.minato.co.jp/en/">Minato Holdings Inc.</a></li> <li><a href="https://phyton.com/">Phyton, Inc.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.xeltek.com/">Xeltek Inc.</a></li></ul></li></ul> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Device programmers. <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Mueller, Scott (2003). Upgrading and Repairing PCs. Que Publishing. p. 364. ISBN 9780789727459. PROM programmer PC transfer. <a href="9780789727459" target="_blank">9780789727459</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Cressler, John D. (2017). Silicon Earth: Introduction to Microelectronics and Nanotechnology, Second Edition. CRC Press. ISBN 9781351830201. <a href="9781351830201" target="_blank">9781351830201</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Czerwinski, Robert; Kania, Dariusz (2013). Finite State Machine Logic Synthesis for Complex Programmable Logic Devices. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9783642361661. <a href="9783642361661" target="_blank">9783642361661</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Mazidi, Muhammad Ali; Naimi, Sarmad; Naimi, Sepehr (2011). The AVR microcontroller and embedded systems : using Assembly and C (PDF). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. ISBN 9780138003319. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2018-03-16. <a href="9780138003319" target="_blank">9780138003319</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Edwards, Lewin (2006). So You Wanna Be an Embedded Engineer: The Guide to Embedded Engineering, From Consultancy to the Corporate Ladder. Elsevier. p. 58. ISBN 9780080498157. plug-in adapters DIP packaging. <a href="9780080498157" target="_blank">9780080498157</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"IEEE 1532-2002 - IEEE Standard for In-System Configuration of Programmable Devices". IEEE. <a href="https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/1532/3366/" target="_blank">https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/1532/3366/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"What is the IEEE 1532 Standard?". Keysight Technologies. <a href="https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?&ckey=2052199" target="_blank">https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?&ckey=2052199</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Jacobson, Neil G. (2012). The In-System Configuration Handbook:: A Designer's Guide to ISC. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9781461504894. <a href="9781461504894" target="_blank">9781461504894</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Ong, Royan H. L.; Pont, Michael J. (25 April 2001). "Empirical comparison of software-based error detection and correction techniques for embedded systems". Proceedings of the ninth international symposium on Hardware/Software codesign - CODES '01. ACM. pp. 230–235. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.543.9943. doi:10.1145/371636.371739. ISBN 978-1581133646. S2CID 15929440. <a href="978-1581133646" target="_blank">978-1581133646</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Mazidi, Muhammad Ali; Naimi, Sarmad; Naimi, Sepehr (2011). The AVR microcontroller and embedded systems : using Assembly and C (PDF). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. ISBN 9780138003319. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2018-03-16. <a href="9780138003319" target="_blank">9780138003319</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Ravichandran, D. (2001). Introduction To Computers And Communication. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 9780070435650. <a href="9780070435650" target="_blank">9780070435650</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Mueller, Scott (2003). Upgrading and Repairing PCs. Que Publishing. p. 364. ISBN 9780789727459. PROM programmer PC transfer. <a href="9780789727459" target="_blank">9780789727459</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Review: XG autoelectric TL866CS MiniPro Universal USB Programmer". Gough's Tech Zone. 22 April 2016. <a href="http://goughlui.com/2016/04/22/review-xg-autoelectric-tl866cs-minipro-universal-usb-programmer/" target="_blank">http://goughlui.com/2016/04/22/review-xg-autoelectric-tl866cs-minipro-universal-usb-programmer/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Mueller, Scott (2003). Upgrading and Repairing PCs. Que Publishing. p. 364. ISBN 9780789727459. PROM programmer PC transfer. <a href="9780789727459" target="_blank">9780789727459</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>International Validation Forum (1995). Validation Compliance Annual: 1995. CRC Press. ISBN 9780824794590. <a href="9780824794590" target="_blank">9780824794590</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"How to Read, Erase, & Write EProm EEProm Chips Electronic Fuel injection DIY Tuning GQ-4X Programmer". YouTube. 2 May 2014. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUDP1XTmF9A" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUDP1XTmF9A</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"EPROMS: The minimum you need to know to burn your own". www.classic-computers.org.nz. <a href="https://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/2012-10-21-eproms.htm" target="_blank">https://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/2012-10-21-eproms.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"gang | Definition of gang in English by Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180317102217/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/gang" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20180317102217/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/gang</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Mazidi, Muhammad Ali; Naimi, Sarmad; Naimi, Sepehr (2011). The AVR microcontroller and embedded systems : using Assembly and C (PDF). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. ISBN 9780138003319. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2018-03-16. <a href="9780138003319" target="_blank">9780138003319</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review - Page 1". www.eevblog.com. <a href="https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/" target="_blank">https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>"EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review - Page 1". www.eevblog.com. <a href="https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/" target="_blank">https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"EPROM programmer for field service - Google Search". www.google.com. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=EPROM+programmer+for+field+service" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/search?q=EPROM+programmer+for+field+service</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Pang, Aiken; Membrey, Peter (2016). Beginning FPGA: Programming Metal: Your brain on hardware. Apress. ISBN 9781430262480. <a href="9781430262480" target="_blank">9781430262480</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>Mazidi, Muhammad Ali; Naimi, Sarmad; Naimi, Sepehr (2011). The AVR microcontroller and embedded systems : using Assembly and C (PDF). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. ISBN 9780138003319. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2018-03-16. <a href="9780138003319" target="_blank">9780138003319</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>"How to Read, Erase, & Write EProm EEProm Chips Electronic Fuel injection DIY Tuning GQ-4X Programmer". YouTube. 2 May 2014. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUDP1XTmF9A" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUDP1XTmF9A</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>Godse, Atul P.; Godse, Deepali A. (2008). Digital Techniques. Technical Publications. ISBN 9788184314014. <a href="9788184314014" target="_blank">9788184314014</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>Ball, Stuart (2002). Embedded Microprocessor Systems: Real World Design. Elsevier. ISBN 9780080477572. <a href="9780080477572" target="_blank">9780080477572</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>Choi, S. J.; Han, J. W.; Jang, M. G.; Kim, J. S.; Kim, K. H.; Lee, G. S.; Oh, J. S.; Song, M. H.; Park, Y. C.; Kim, J. W.; Choi, Y. K. (2009). "High Injection Efficiency and Low-Voltage Programming in a Dopant-Segregated Schottky Barrier (DSSB) FinFET SONOS for nor-type Flash Memory". IEEE Electron Device Letters. 30 (3): 265–268. Bibcode:2009IEDL...30..265C. doi:10.1109/LED.2008.2010720. ISSN 0741-3106. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>"Remembering the PROM knights of Intel | EE Times". EETimes. 2002-07-03. <a href="https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1144961" target="_blank">https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1144961</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>DuCastel, Bertrand; Jurgensen, Timothy (2008). Computer Theology: Intelligent Design of the World Wide Web. Midori Press LLC. ISBN 9780980182118. <a href="9780980182118" target="_blank">9780980182118</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:31"><p>"Getting Started with Blinking Lights on Old Iron". Hackaday. 10 August 2017. <a href="https://hackaday.com/2017/08/10/getting-started-with-blinking-lights-on-old-iron/" target="_blank">https://hackaday.com/2017/08/10/getting-started-with-blinking-lights-on-old-iron/</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:32"><p>Gooijen, Henk. "NOVA 3 console description". www.pdp-11.nl. <a href="http://www.pdp-11.nl/dg/nova3/nova3.html#system%20console" target="_blank">http://www.pdp-11.nl/dg/nova3/nova3.html#system%20console</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:33"><p>Goel, Anita (2010). Computer Fundamentals. Pearson Education India. ISBN 9788131733097. <a href="9788131733097" target="_blank">9788131733097</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>