4 Programming a Device

I2C EEPROMs and SPI EEPROMs can be programmed using the Flash Center Software in conjunction with an Aardvark adapter or a Cheetah adapter. Detailed technical information about all these products can be found on Total Phase’s website.

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4.1 Inserting and Removing Device

To program a chip, insert the chip into the appropriate socket. Please note that all the sockets are cross-connected, so it is only possible to use one socket at a time.

Whenever handling chips, always be sure to follow safe handling procedures to ensure that the chips are not damaged.

DIP8

To insert a DIP8 chip, simply align the pins with the socket and firmly press the chip into the socket.

To remove a DIP8 chip, we recommend that a DIP extractor tool is used to prevent damage to the chip and its pins.

SOIC8 and TSSOP8

Both the SOIC8 and TSSOP8 sockets are zero insertion force sockets and work on the same principle.

To insert a chip:

1. Press down on the top of the socket to raise the contact pins.

2. While pressing down on the socket, carefully place the chip into the socket and make sure that the orientation of the chip is correct (pin 1 should always be in the top left corner).

3. Once the chip is in place, release the top of the socket to allow the contact pins to drop and hold the chip in place.

At this point, the chip should be held securely in place. Please make sure that all the contact pins have made contact with the correct pins on the chip.

When removing the chip, we recommend using a vacuum pickup tool to prevent damage to the chip and its pins.

To remove a chip:

1. Press down on the top of the socket to raise the contact pins.

2. Carefully remove the chip using a vacuum pickup tool or equivalent tool.

3. Release the top of the socket.

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4.2 Connecting the Pins

Since different chips have different pin configurations, the EEPROM Socket Board includes a 8-pin split ribbon cable to allow you to connect the pins to the correct sources.

Figure 8: The Pin Board connector provides the developer with a easy way to connect the correct signals to the appropriate pins of the memory chip that is to be programmed. The included 8-pin split cable can be used to connect the correct signal to the appropriate pin.

In the top left side of the board, you will notice that there is a graphic representation of a chip with numbered pins from 1 to 8 (Figure 8). Along both sides of the drawing are two (2) banks of 4-pin headers. These banks are connected to the eight (8) pins of the chip in the socket. The pins of the chip should be connected to the appropriate sources as described by the chip’s datasheet.

Various sources are provided around the chip diagram. Along the top of the chip are five (5) pins for VDD and along the bottom of the chip are five (5) pins for GND. To the left of the chip are sources for the I2C and SPI pins. Each source is labeled along the left. Figure 9 shows a EEPROM Socket Board that has been configured to program an I2C EEPROM.

Figure 9: This is the view from the top of the EEPROM Socket Board which has been configured to program an I2C EEPROM which has been loaded into the TSSOP8 socket. One end of the supplied 8-pin ribbon cable has been connected to the eight (8) pins of Pin Board connector around the graphic of the chip. The other end has been connected to the appropriate sources as indicated by the device’s datasheet.

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4.3 Powering the Device

Figure 10: The EEPROM Socket Board offers two different voltage levels: 5V and 3.3V. If another voltage level is desired, the develop can select “EXT” and attach an external power source to the board.

There are multiple options for powering the device to be programmed. The Aardvark adapter and Cheetah adapter are both able to send downstream power to the EEPROM Socket Board which can be used to power the chip. Two different voltages are available: 5V and 3.3V. To select one of these voltages, simply use a jumper to short the pins next to the appropriate voltage on the VDD Source connector (J2).

External Power Source

Figure 11: When “EXT” is selected, an external power source can be applied to the VIN pins in the External connector (J1).

If a different voltage is needed, it is possible to use an external power supply to provide power to the target chip. To use an external power source, please use a jumper to short the pins next to “EXT” (position 3) on the VDD Source connector (J2). Power should be applied to the VIN pins on the External (J1) connector.

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4.4 SPI Slave Select

Figure 12: The developer can connect or disconnect Slave Select (SS) pin as well as configure the polarity of SS on the board.

Connecting SS

Some SPI-based memory chips do not require the use of the Slave Select pin. In these cases, the SS pin can be disconnected. To do this, simply remove the jumper from the SS Connect header (J3).

SS Pull-down/Pull-up Resistors

The EEPROM Socket Board provides the ability either pull-down or pull-up the Slave Select line depending on the requirements of the target device by using a jumper to short pins on the (J4) connector.

To pull SS down, short pins 1 and 2.

To pull SS up, short pins 2 and 3.