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Device that installs firmware on a device From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the context of installing firmware onto a device, a programmer, device programmer, chip programmer, device burner,[1]: 364 or PROM writer[2] is a device that writes, a.k.a. burns, firmware to a target device's non-volatile memory.[3]: 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.
Generally, a programmer connects to a device in one of two ways.
In some cases, the target device is inserted into a socket (usually ZIF) on the programmer.[4]: 642, pdf15 If the device is not a standard DIP packaging, a plug-in adapter board, which converts the footprint with another socket, is used.[5]: 58
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.[6][7][8]
Data is transferred from the programmer to the device as signals via connecting pins.
Some devices have a serial interface[9]: 232, pdf3 for receiving data (including JTAG interface).[4]: 642, pdf15 Other devices communicate on parallel pins, followed by a programming pulse with a higher voltage for programming the data into the device.[10]: 125
Usually, a programmer is controlled via a connected personal computer through a parallel port,[1]: 364 USB port,[11] or LAN interface.[citation needed] A program on the controlling computer interacts with the programmer to perform operations such as configure install parameters and program the device,[1]: 364 [12]: 430 [13][14]
There are four general types of programmers:
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.[19]: 651 [20]: 40 But according to the progress of memory device technology, recent flash memory programmers do not need high voltages.[21][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.[23]: 261–262 [24][25] Nowadays, EEPROMs are used for bootstrapping mechanism as BIOS, and no need to operate mechanical switches for programming.[26]: 45
For each vendor's web site, refer to "External links" section.
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