|
Frequently Asked Questions
for PILOT programmers
Section 1. About Device Programming
Can a 44-pin programmer support a device of more than 44 pins?
A 44-pin programmer cannot support an 84-pin device, if a UNIVERSAL socket
adapter is used. This is because the adapter, being universal, must have pin
drivers for every pin.
However, a 44-pin programmer can support devices with more than 44 pins if "family"
modules or adapters are available. Since most of these devices do not need all pins
to be connected for programming, a family module routes the REQUIRED pins to the
44-pin programmer, allowing these devices in the family to be programmed.
Since some pins are not connected on a particular family module, devices outside
the family cannot be used on that family module.
For example, a 68-pin Microchip 17c756A can be programmed on a PILOT-U44-Plus
(programmer with 44 pin drivers) using an AM-PIC68 family module. This module
can also be used to program other 68-pin Microchip devices such as 17c752 or 16c923,
but not an Altera 68-pin device.
In order to provide lower-cost solutions for customers who do not program a wide range
of devices, Advin makes many family modules for POPULAR devices, allowing customers
to program large devices on programmers with a lesser number of pin drivers.
Why can't I find a particular device part number on the device list in the software?
The device part number may have included characters that indicate package types. In the
software, device part numbers do not include common standard package types. For example,
AMD 29F040B includes all five speed grades, three different packages (DIP, PLCC and TSOP),
all three temperature ranges and so on. If all combinations are listed, there will be
108 part numbers instead of one, making device selection more difficult.
In cases where speed grade does make a difference in programming algorithms, we do list
those devices separately. For example, AMD PAL20L8-10 and PAL20L8-7 have distinct
programming algorithms and are listed separately.
If you are using the DOS versions (versus the Windows versions) of software, verify
that the proper software module has been invoked. For example, simple PALs are under spPAL
and more complex logic devices are under spV. You can see what kind of devices are
listed under which software module in the top software advin.exe.
Another reason you may not find the device may simply be the fact that you are using
a very old software version.
If a device is supported according to the Supported Devices List but you cannot find it,
try downloading the current software from our web site at advin.com.
What happens if I programmed or read a device using the wrong selection?
If it is a memory device, chances are that your device may still be OK.
But if it is a logic device, it may be destroyed.
Logic devices use different high voltage levels at different pins, even during reading.
So care should be taken when selecting logic devices.
How do I specify the special programmable options, such as the special bits of a PIC micro,
the polarity fuse of a Xilinx device, or to protect certain sectors on an AMD flash?
For easy configuration, the /Specific Device Configuration command (or the SP icon under Windows)
can be used. The /Buffer Edit command can also be used but it can be harder unless you are
familar with the where-abouts of those bits. However, if you do know the details, the /Buffer Edit
command is a useful tool to use if you want to know exactly where the bits ended up.
Back to top
Section 2. File Formats
Do you support the Intel MCS86 file format?
This is the same as the "Intel Hex" format. In fact, the Intel Hex format includes all the
different types and revisions of the hex formats defined by Intel, including the extended-address
formats. Our software will automatically recognize all the different Intel formats and process
them accordingly.
Which Motorola S-record formats do you support?
We support all of them (at least all the ones we ever came across in the last 11 years),
including S1, S2, S3, etc. When you select the Motorola S-record format, our software will
automatically recognize all the different sub-formats and process them accordingly.
How does the "ASCII" format (or other formats) look like?
Since our software can save data files into different formats, the best and simplest way
to see how a particular format looks like is to generate such a file yourself.
You can select a very small device such as a small serial PROMs,
then manually put in a few data bytes using the /Buffer Edit command. Select the ASCII format
(or others) and save the buffer data into a temp file.
Then use a text editor or your own software routine to look at it.
Back to top
Section 3. Checksums
How are checksums calculated?
For memories and micros, the most common methods are:
(A) Adding data as bytes
(B) Adding data as words
(A) Adding data as bytes
This is the most commonly used method.
The data is added as bytes, and the result is accumulated in a double word.
(Double word means 2 words, or 4 bytes, or 8 hex digits.)
For example, if there are 4 bytes in a device, and the data is:
11 80 22 90
The checksum will be: 11+80+22+90=00000143
For better visibility, Captain s/w displays it as 00 0143, or 0000 0143.
Older programmers and programming s/w retain only the last 4 digits, as 0143.
That is why most EPROMs are marked with only a 4-digit checksum. (which is
deemed sufficient for most customers and is convenient to copy, save and
read by a human being.)
(B) Adding data as words
Since the data is considered as WORDs, there are two ways of doing this.
The Intel-way treats the lower-address byte as the low order byte, and
the higher-address byte as the high order byte. Using the above data sample,
The checksum would be 8011+9022=01 1033.
The Motorola-way treats the lower-address byte as the high order byte, and
the higer-address byte as the low order byte.
The checksum would be 1180+2290=00 3410.
[Configure] [Operation Options] can be used to select betwen "adding data
as byte" or "adding data as word".
[Configure] [Width] can be used to select betwen
Intel-way or Motorola-way.
Back to top
Section 4. About Error Messages
I am doing a /File Load, and I got "Warning no data loaded". What does it mean?
It means the address ranges that you specified for the file and the buffer do not match.
It is like you cannot see the lion if you are not pointing the binocular in the right direction.
It can happen if the file does not specify all-zeroes for the starting data byte. However, you
can use the /File Address and /Buffer Offset commands to match your buffer address range to
your file address range. If you are just doubtful, use the /File Range command to display the
address ranges and it will be very clear to you as to what does not match.
What does "System Error....Code 9911" mean?
This error message comes up if you are using very old software (notably those released before
Pentiums appear on the market) on a fast computer. The error message means that the software
was not tested on the faster Pentiums. To solve this, simply download the current software
from our web site at advin.com.
Back to top
Section 5. In-Circuit or In-System Programming (ISP)
Does Advin Programmers Support ISP?
We provide very good capabilities for ISP, especially Microchip micros, Altera serial PROMs,
Atmel serial PROMs, Xilinx serial PROMs, EE serial PROMs such as 24xx, 95xx, 25xx etc.
Please see our web page on
In-System Programming.
Back to top
Section 6. Running Under Linux
Can the Advin DOS software version run under Linux?
Advin does not officially support Linux. However, thanks to our customer,
Mr. David Updegraff, who has provided the following info of how to run it
under Linux:
1. forcibly unload kernel modules 'lp', 'parport', and 'parport_pc'
2. Edit you /etc/dosemu.conf file to permit HW access:
# comment out lineprinter simulation
#$_printer = "lp"
# rom burner on parport: UN comment $_ports. Find out where
# your ports are by cat /proc/ioports before you've unloaded
# the kernel parport modules.
$_ports = " fast range 0x378 0x37f"
# make a directory in /var/lib/dosemu called advin
# and put your DOS io.sys, msdos.sys, command.com etc.
# files there from a stock DOS distro there. Then unzip
# the advin.zip packaage there. This way your C: drive will
# be that directory, and you can do normal linux file-IO
# to /var/lib/dosemu/advin, to copy in image files, etc.
# ..and the way this is, the dosemu stuff from
# 'hdimage.first' will be in D:. eg. 'exitemu' is there.
$_hdimage = "advin hdimage.first"
3. you may have to run as root to get direct access to the ports..
Under this scenaio I run as fast as normal DOS app, though it pegs out
linux during the burn/erase/check phases since all is done with
busy-waits.
Back to top
Section 7. Service and Maintenance
How do I clean the ZIF sockets of the programmer for CONNECTIVITY problems?
A. For DIP ZIF sockets:
The easiest way is to hold down the socket handle so that the socket is half open,
then move a DIP device sideways so that the legs of the DIP device sweep the inside of
the socket.
If this does not solve the problem, you may want to replace the DIP ZIF socket.
Replacing them is very easy because they are mounted on sockets themselves
(we use highly reliable machine-barreled gold-plated sockets for mounting the DIP ZIF
sockets) To remove a socket, simply use a flat screw driver to gently ply apart the DIP ZIF
socket in a STRAIGHTLY UPWARDS direction.
You can order replacement DIP ZIF sockets directly from us.
If you are getting them from other sources, make sure they are gold-plated
(which only costs a fraction more than tin-plated but will save you tons of trouble
in the future). The part # for ordering DIP ZIF sockets is: SKT-ZIFxx.
For example, SKT-ZIF32 is a 32-pin DIP ZIF socket.
B. For PLCC, QFP and other similar sockets:
The simplest way is to use AP-20 Cleaning Solution made by Kester.
This is the solution for cleaning solder flux from circuit boards.
If you do not have this, you can try a good solder flux cleaner or alcohol.
Put some cleaning solution on a clean tooth brush, then use it to brush the top
contacts (gold fingers) of the sockets. Then use an air blower to blow away the
solution left on the contacts. Take good care that the cleaning solutions do not
get blown onto yourself or other people. It is always a good idea to wear
protective eye wear and clothing.
How do I clean a surface-mount device (PLCC, TSOP, QFP, etc) ?
Surface-mount devices should not be left on table tops or other surfaces, otherwise they
would pick up dirt and the legs become tarnished or oxidized. These device may give you
continuity errors or insertion errors. If you do have such a device and you need to use it,
here are methods to clean the legs:
A. Turn the device over, so that the pins are facing up. Use an Exacto knife or something
similar to gently scrape the legs. Holding the knife at a 45-degree angle to the device
body will make the scraping easier.
B. Another method is to use the eraser head of a pencil, especially those that are
more abrasive and not too soft. Make sure all rubber fragments are blown off after
the "erasing".
I have an Advin Sailor-PAL programmer which still works. Can I get updated software for it?
The last Sailor-PAL was shipped more than 18 years ago. Eventhough the hardware still functions,
it is not cost-effective to add new devices to them since most of our Sailor-PAL customers have
upgraded to our newer series of programmers. Please call us for our very affordable upgrades.
Back to top
|
Cart
