Editing Programmer (hardware)

{{Short description|Device that installs firmware on a device}}

[[Image:NuProg-E2-wsocket.png|thumb|''Engineering Universal Programmer'' with two sockets]]
[[Image:Programmer conitec galep5.jpg|thumb|''Pocket Programmer'' Galep-5 with a ''[[Zero insertion force|ZIF]]'' socket]]
[[Image:NPP16-FrontSide-wso-wobg.png|thumb|Universal Gang Programmer with 16 sockets]]
[[File:BPM 3928 Automated Programming System.jpg|alt=BPM 3928 Automated Programming System|thumb|The [https://bpmmicro.com/3928-7-site-aps/ '''3928'''], with up to seven sites,  is made for programming large data devices, such as  MCUs, eMMC HS400, NAND, NOR and Serial Flash devices.  High-speed signals support devices up to 200&nbsp;MHz and the latest eMMC HS400 modes with data transfer rates of 2.5 nanoseconds per byte. ]]

In the context of [[Installation (computer programs)|installing]] [[firmware]] onto a device, a '''programmer''', '''device programmer''', '''chip programmer''', '''[[Programmable read-only memory#Programming|device burner]]''',<ref name="Muller 2003"/>{{rp|364}} or '''PROM writer'''<ref name="Cressler 2017">
{{cite book|last1=Cressler|first1=John D.|title=Silicon Earth: Introduction to Microelectronics and Nanotechnology, Second Edition|date=2017|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781351830201|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i-5HDwAAQBAJ&q=PROM+writer&pg=SA6-PA17-IA1|language=en}}
</ref> is a device that writes, a.k.a. burns, [[firmware]] to a target device's [[non-volatile memory]].<ref name="Czerwinski 2013">
{{cite book|last1=Czerwinski|first1=Robert|last2=Kania|first2=Dariusz|title=Finite State Machine Logic Synthesis for Complex Programmable Logic Devices|date=2013|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9783642361661|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SVBEAAAAQBAJ&q=programmable+devices&pg=PA3|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|3}} 

Typically, the target device memory is one of the following types: [[Programmable read-only memory|PROM]], [[EPROM]], [[EEPROM]], [[Flash memory]], [[MultiMediaCard#eMMC|eMMC]], [[Magnetoresistive random-access memory|MRAM]], [[Ferroelectric RAM|FeRAM]], [[Non-volatile random-access memory|NVRAM]], [[Programmable logic device|PLD]], [[Programmable logic array|PLA]], [[Programmable Array Logic|PAL]], [[Generic array logic|GAL]], [[Complex programmable logic device|CPLD]], [[Field Programmable Gate Array|FPGA]].

==Connection==

[[File:Adafruit TinyISP AVR Programmer.jpg|thumb|''[[JTAG]] Connector''-based<br>''On-Board Programmer''<br>for [[Atmel AVR|AVR]] [[microcontroller]]<br>with ''USB Port interface'']]

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 [[Zero insertion force|ZIF]]) on the programmer.<ref name="Mazidi 2017"/>{{rp|642, pdf15}} If the device is not a standard [[Dual in-line package|''DIP packaging'']], a plug-in adapter board, which converts the [[Footprint (electronics)|footprint]] with another socket, is used.<ref name="Edward 2006">
{{cite book|last1=Edwards|first1=Lewin|title=So You Wanna Be an Embedded Engineer: The Guide to Embedded Engineering, From Consultancy to the Corporate Ladder|date=2006|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=9780080498157|url=https://archive.org/details/pdfy-MKFMCCNbqENoR3Ft|page=[https://archive.org/details/pdfy-MKFMCCNbqENoR3Ft/page/n66 58]|quote=plug-in adapters DIP packaging.|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|58}}

===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]]''.<ref name="IEEE-2532">
{{cite web|title=IEEE 1532-2002 - IEEE Standard for In-System Configuration of Programmable Devices|url=https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/1532/3366/|website=[[IEEE]]}}
</ref><ref name="IEEE 1532 by agilent">
{{cite web|title=What is the IEEE 1532 Standard?|url=https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?&ckey=2052199|publisher=Keysight Technologies}}
</ref><ref name="Jacobson 2012">
{{cite book|last1=Jacobson|first1=Neil G.|title=The In-System Configuration Handbook:: A Designer's Guide to ISC|date=2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9781461504894|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H53aBwAAQBAJ&q=programmer&pg=PA135|language=en}}
</ref>

==Transfer==

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

Some devices have a serial interface<ref name="Ong 2001">
{{cite book|last1=Ong|first1=Royan H. L.|last2=Pont|first2=Michael J.|title=Proceedings of the ninth international symposium on Hardware/Software codesign - CODES '01 |chapter=Empirical comparison of software-based error detection and correction techniques for embedded systems |date=25 April 2001|pages=230–235|doi=10.1145/371636.371739|chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221656717|publisher=ACM|isbn=978-1581133646|citeseerx=10.1.1.543.9943|s2cid=15929440}}</ref>{{rp|232, pdf3}}
for receiving data (including [[JTAG]] interface).<ref name="Mazidi 2017"/>{{rp|642, pdf15}}
Other devices communicate on parallel pins, followed by a programming pulse with a higher voltage for programming the data into the device.<ref name="Ravichandran 2001">
{{cite book|last1=Ravichandran|first1=D.|title=Introduction To Computers And Communication|date=2001|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education|isbn=9780070435650|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EHNOHAjXdQcC&q=PROM+programmer&pg=PA125|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|125}}

Usually, a programmer is controlled via a connected [[personal computer]] through a parallel port,<ref name="Muller 2003">
{{cite book|last1=Mueller|first1=Scott|title=Upgrading and Repairing PCs|date=2003|publisher=Que Publishing|isbn=9780789727459|url=https://archive.org/details/upgradingrepairi00mue_qq3|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/upgradingrepairi00mue_qq3/page/364 364]|quote=PROM programmer PC transfer.|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|364}}
[[USB]] port,<ref name="Review TL866CS">
{{cite web|title=Review: XG autoelectric TL866CS MiniPro Universal USB Programmer|url=http://goughlui.com/2016/04/22/review-xg-autoelectric-tl866cs-minipro-universal-usb-programmer/|website=Gough's Tech Zone|date=22 April 2016}}
</ref>
or [[local area network|LAN]] interface.{{cn|date=September 2024}}
A [[computer program|program]] on the controlling computer interacts with the programmer to perform operations such as configure install parameters and program the device,<ref name="Muller 2003"/>{{rp|364}}
<ref name="IVF 1995">
{{cite book|author1=International Validation Forum|title=Validation Compliance Annual: 1995|date=1995|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9780824794590|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a55oaroHFI8C&q=PROM+programmer+transferring&pg=PA430|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|430}} <ref name="YouTube-HowTo">
{{cite web|title=How to Read, Erase, & Write EProm EEProm Chips Electronic Fuel injection DIY Tuning GQ-4X Programmer| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUDP1XTmF9A|date=2 May 2014}}
</ref><ref name="Minimum need to know">{{cite web|title=EPROMS: The minimum you need to know to burn your own|url=https://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/2012-10-21-eproms.htm|website=www.classic-computers.org.nz}}</ref>

==Types==

[[File:Sp 5004gp transp.png|thumb|A ''Gang Programmer'' with ''a Set of 4 Sockets''.]]
There are four general types of programmers:

# '''Automated programmers''' often have multiple programming sites/sockets<ref name="gang by Oxford Dict">{{cite web|title=gang {{!}} Definition of gang in English by Oxford Dictionaries|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/gang|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317102217/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/gang|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 17, 2018|website=Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English}}
</ref> for mass production.<ref name="Mazidi 2017">{{cite book|last1=Mazidi|first1=Muhammad Ali|last2=Naimi|first2=Sarmad|last3=Naimi|first3=Sepehr|title=The AVR microcontroller and embedded systems : using Assembly and C|date=2011|publisher=Prentice Hall|location=Upper Saddle River, N.J.|isbn=9780138003319|url=http://www.microdigitaled.com/AVR/Articles/AVR_v1_online.pdf|access-date=2018-03-16|archive-date=2020-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215060436/http://www.microdigitaled.com/AVR/Articles/AVR_v1_online.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.
# '''Development programmers''' usually have a single programming site; used for first article development and small-series production.<ref name="MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review">
{{cite web|title=EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review - Page 1|url=https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/|website=www.eevblog.com}}
</ref>
# '''Pocket programmers''' for development and field service.<ref name="MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review" /><ref name="Google Search Field-service">
{{cite web|title=EPROM programmer for field service - Google Search|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=EPROM+programmer+for+field+service|website=www.google.com|language=en}}
</ref>
# '''Specialized programmers''' for certain circuit types only, such as [[Field-programmable gate array|FPGA]],<ref name="FPGA Programmer">{{cite book|last1=Pang|first1=Aiken|last2=Membrey|first2=Peter|title=Beginning FPGA: Programming Metal: Your brain on hardware|date=2016|publisher=Apress|isbn=9781430262480|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X4fJDQAAQBAJ&q=programmer&pg=PA305|language=en}}
</ref> [[microcontroller]],<ref name="Mazidi 2017" />{{rp|642, pdf15}} and [[EEPROM]] programmers.<ref name="YouTube-HowTo" />

==History==
[[File:Universal Prom Programmer.jpg|thumb|Historical Programmer;<br>A shoebox size]]
[[File:78K0R Cool-It.jpg|thumb|''Pocket-sized'' & ''USB Port interfaced'' "[[in-circuit emulator|ICE]]
 for [[microcontroller|MCU]]" &<br>''[[Flash memory]] Programmer'']]
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{{endash}}25 Volts.<ref name="Godse 2008">{{cite book|last1=Godse|first1=Atul P.|last2=Godse|first2=Deepali A.|title=Digital Techniques|date=2008|publisher=Technical Publications|isbn=9788184314014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F6Vor58f9FYC&q=PROM+programmer+25V&pg=PA651|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|651}}<ref name="Ball 2002">
{{cite book|last1=Ball|first1=Stuart|title=Embedded Microprocessor Systems: Real World Design|date=2002|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=9780080477572|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6738mXhY4igC&q=PROM+programmer+12V&pg=PA40|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|40}}
But according to the progress of memory device technology, recent flash memory programmers do not need high voltages.<ref name="Choi 2009">
{{cite journal|last1=Choi|first1=S. J.|last2=Han|first2=J. W.|last3=Jang|first3=M. G.|last4=Kim|first4=J. S.|last5=Kim|first5=K. H.|last6=Lee|first6=G. S.|last7=Oh|first7=J. S.|last8=Song|first8=M. H.|last9=Park|first9=Y. C.|last10=Kim|first10=J. W.|last11=Choi|first11=Y. K.|title=High Injection Efficiency and Low-Voltage Programming in a Dopant-Segregated Schottky Barrier (DSSB) FinFET SONOS for nor-type Flash Memory|journal=IEEE Electron Device Letters|date=2009|volume=30|issue=3|pages=265–268|doi=10.1109/LED.2008.2010720|bibcode=2009IEDL...30..265C |issn=0741-3106}}
</ref><ref name="EETIMES 2002">
{{cite web|title=Remembering the PROM knights of Intel {{!}} EE Times|url=https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1144961|website=EETimes|date=2002-07-03}}
</ref>

In the early days of [[computing]], [[booting]] mechanism was a mechanical devices usually consisted of switches and [[Light-emitting diode|LEDs]]. It means the ''programmer'' was not an equipment but a human, who entered [[machine code]]s 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]].<ref name="DuCastel 2008">
{{cite book|last1=DuCastel|first1=Bertrand|last2=Jurgensen|first2=Timothy|title=Computer Theology: Intelligent Design of the World Wide Web|date=2008|publisher=Midori Press LLC|isbn=9780980182118|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zLh5CIwvTyMC&q=bootstrap+mechanical+switch&pg=PA262|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|261{{endash}}262}}<ref name="PDP8">
{{cite web|title=Getting Started with Blinking Lights on Old Iron|url=https://hackaday.com/2017/08/10/getting-started-with-blinking-lights-on-old-iron/|website=Hackaday|date=10 August 2017}}
</ref><ref name="Nova3">
{{cite web|last1=Gooijen|first1=Henk|title=NOVA 3 console description|url=http://www.pdp-11.nl/dg/nova3/nova3.html#system%20console|website=www.pdp-11.nl}}
</ref>
Nowadays, [[EEPROM]]s are used for [[bootstrapping]] mechanism as [[BIOS]], and no need to operate mechanical switches for programming.<ref name="Goel 2010">
{{cite book|last1=Goel|first1=Anita|title=Computer Fundamentals|date=2010|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9788131733097|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zyOYs2EqZDgC&q=BIOS+bootstrap+EEPROM&pg=PA45|language=en}}
</ref>{{rp|45}}

==Manufacturers==
For each vendor's web site, refer to [[#External links|"External links"]] section.
* Batronix GmbH &amp; 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.
* {{ill|Minato Holdings|ja|ミナトホールディングス}}
* Phyton, Inc.
* Xeltek Inc.

==See also==
*[[Off-line programming (robotics)|Off-line programming]]
*[[In-system programming]]
*[[Debug port]]
*[[JTAG|JTAG interface]]
*[[Common Flash Memory Interface]]
*[[Open NAND Flash Interface Working Group]]
*[[Atmel AVR#Programming interfaces]]
*[[PIC microcontroller#Device programmers]]
*[[Intel HEX]] – ASCII file format
*[[SREC (file format)|SREC]] – ASCII file format
*[[Executable and Linkable Format|ELF]] – Binary file format
*[[COFF]] – Binary file format
*[[Hardware description language]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*Technical information
**[https://www.jedec.org/category/technology-focus-area/memory-configurations-jesd21-c JEDEC - Memory Configurations: JESD21-C]
**[https://www.jedec.org/standards-documents/docs/jesd-6801/ JEDEC - Common Flash Interface (CFI) Specification, JESD68.01, September 2003.]
**[http://www.delorie.com/agenda/specs/29220404.pdf Intel - Common Flash Interface (CFI) and Command Sets]
**[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]
**[https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?&ckey=2052199 What is the IEEE 1532 Standard? {{!}} Keysight Technologies]
**[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]
**[https://www.jedec.org/committees/jc-42 JEDEC - JC-42 Solid State Memories]

*Manufacturers
**[https://www.batronix.com/menu/programming_technologies.html Batronix GmbH & Co. KG]
**[https://bpmmicro.com/programmers/            BPM Microsystems]
**[http://www.conitec.com/                      Conitec Datasystems Inc.]
**[http://www.dataio.com/                       Data I/O Corporation]
**[https://www.elnec.com/en/                    Elnec s.r.o.]
**[https://www.diagprog4.com/                   Elprosys Sp. z o.o.]
**[https://www.dediprog.com/                    Dediprog]
**[https://www.halec.de/en/products/roloflash/  halec]
**[http://www.hilosystems.com/                  Hi-Lo System Research Co. Ltd.]
**[https://www.mcumall.com/                     MCUmall Electronics Inc.]
**[https://www.minato.co.jp/en/                 Minato Holdings Inc.]
**[https://phyton.com/                          Phyton, Inc.]
**[https://www.xeltek.com/                      Xeltek Inc.]

{{Commons category|Device programmers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Programmer (Hardware)}}
[[Category:Computer engineering]]
[[Category:Integrated circuits]]
[[Category:Non-volatile memory]]
[[Category:Gate arrays]]