WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE H8000 COMPARED TO A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMER?
1. The H8000 is much simpler to use for production because, once it has been ’set up’, no PC is needed.
2. The H8000 is nearly always faster, particularly if the target clock speed is either very slow or very fast. The H8000 does not have to use ’standard’ PC baud rates which means that it can very often negotiate higher clock speeds when used with a target with a low clock speed. For targets with high clock speeds, the H8000 can run at asynchronous speeds of around 625K baud which are not practical on PCs.
3. There are no delays caused by the Windows operating system as no PC is used during programming.
4. The H8000 is easy to integrate into an ATE system because it has an optically isolated logic interface.
WHAT SORT OF PC IS REQUIRED TO ’SET UP’ THE H8000 PROGRAMMER?
Almost any modern PC running Windows XP, 2000 or even 98. A cable to connect to an RS232 port is supplied.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN SETTING UP AN H8000?
There are a number of variables which need to be specified, the main ones being:
- The algorithm to be used:
The distribution disc contains a number of algorithm files. The file name includes the H8 part number, clock frequency and port (E10/E7 or RS232/UPB).
- The target Vcc voltage limits:
The H8000 measures the target voltage and compares the reading to the user specified limits. Programming can only start when the target Vcc is within limits.
- Checksum check:
There is an option to calculate the checksum after programming and compare it to the user specified value.
- CRC check:
There is an option to calculate the cyclical redundancy value and compare it to the user specified value.
CAN THE H8000 BE USED FOR FIELD SERVICE?
Yes because no PC is needed. The H8000 can be ’set up’ to automatically start programming on connection to a target.
CAN THE H8000 WORK WITH H8 PROCESSORS WITH A VCC OF LESS THAN 5V?
Yes. The programmers measures the H8 Vcc and uses this as a reference for setting the logic signal Vcc.
DOES THE H8000 SUPPORT CIRCUITS USING A PERIPHERAL VCC?
Yes. The H8000 measures the secondary Vcc and uses this as a reference for setting the logic level for the peripheral Vcc.
DOES THE H8000 SUPPORT ALL H8 & H8S PROCESSORS?
No. Older flash parts requiring a separate 12V Vpp supply are not supported. OTP parts are also not supported.
DO YOU HAVE PROGRAMMING ALGORITHMS FOR ALL H8 & H8S PARTS?
No. There are several hundred H8s. Some are popular and others are only used in a few high volume applications. Each algorithm is optimised for a particular clock frequency and algorithms need to be changed every time an ’A’ or ’B’ version of an H8/H8S is introduced. It is, therefore, impracticable to write algorithms for all parts. We do, however, believe that we can supply algorithms (as required) for virtually all modern flash H8 and H8S processors within 1 to 2 weeks.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE H8000 WILL BE SUITABLE FOR MY PRODUCT?
We offer a free advice service. Contact your local distributor or Lloyd Research directly and send us a circuit diagram with any other relevant information. Sometimes designers accidentally introduce problems making it difficult to guarantee correct programming. We offer a FREE service to check circuit diagrams for possible problems. If an algorithm needs to be designed/checked for a particular application, we sometimes ask for the loan of a printed circuit board.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING THE E10 AND RS232/UPB PORTS?
The E10 and E7 ports use clock synchronous communications which are faster than the asynchronous communications used by the RS232 port. The maximum asynchronous speed is 625,000 baud whereas speeds of 1M bits per second can be achieved when using the E10/E7 clock synchronous port. However, the E10/E7 port is not available on some parts.
HOW DOES THE OPTICALLY ISOLATED ATE INTERFACE WORK?
To avoid the possibility of ground loops, the logic interface is optically isolated. The ATE interface requires a ground and Vcc connection from the ATE or controller. Three or 5V logic levels can be used. Programming can be started by applying a logic 0 to the ’program’ line. The H8000 responds by outputting a logic 0 on the ’busy’ line. After programming, the ’busy’ line goes to a logic 1 and either the ’pass’or ’fail’ logic lines go to logic 0. There is also a fault line which stays at logic 1 unless a fault is detected in which case it goes to a logic 0. Alternatively, programming can be started using the RS232 port. After successful programming, a byte corresponding to a ’+’ is output. However, if programming fails, a ’-’ is output.
IS THERE A FACILITY FOR DATA LOGGING?
Yes. After programming, a byte corresponding to a ’+’ or a ’-’ is output followed by a number followed by a text string. A remote computer can store this information for subsequent analysis.
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