In-system programming: Difference between revisions

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Overview: add sentence on newer attiny's ability to reuse the programming pin.
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There is no standard for in-system programming protocols for programming [[microcontroller]] devices. Almost all manufacturers of microcontrollers support this feature, but all have implemented their own protocols, which often differ even for different devices from the same manufacturer. Up to 4 pins may be required for implementing a [[JTAG]] standard interface. In general, modern protocols try to keep the number of pins used low, typically to 2 pins. Some ISP interfaces manage to achieve the same with just a single pin. Newer [[ATtiny]] microcontrollers with UPDI can even reuse that programming pin also as a [[general-purpose input/output]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unified Program and Debug Interface (UPDI) High-Voltage Activation Information - Developer Help |url=https://developerhelp.microchip.com/xwiki/bin/view/software-tools/programmers-and-debuggers/avr-updi-info/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007021157/https://developerhelp.microchip.com/xwiki/bin/view/software-tools/programmers-and-debuggers/avr-updi-info/ |archive-date=2024-10-07 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=developerhelp.microchip.com |quote=Shared UPDI pin. This implementation is generally used on devices with smaller packages. The UPDI pin can be re-configured into a GPIO or /RESET pin. In this case, the UPDI functionality is disabled, and a high-voltage source is required to re-enable it. Examples include tinyAVR 0-series, 1-series, and 2-series devices.}}</ref>
 
The primary advantage of in-system programming is that it allows manufacturers of electronic devices to integrate programming and testing into a single production phase, and save money, rather than requiring a separate programming stage prior to assembling the system. This may allow manufacturers to program the chips in their own system's production line instead of buying pre-programmed chips from a manufacturer or distributor, making it feasible to apply code or design changes in the middle of a production run. The other advantage is that production can always use the latest firmware, and new features as well as bug fixes can be implemented and put into production without the delay occurring when using pre-programmed microcontrollers.
 
Microcontrollers are typically soldered directly to a printed circuit board and usually do not have the circuitry or space for a large external programming cable to another computer.
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Microcontrollers that support ISP are usually provided with pins used by the serial communication peripheral to interface with the programmer, a flash/EEPROM memory and the circuitry used to supply the voltage necessary to program the microcontroller. The communication peripheral is in turn connected to a programming peripheral which provides commands to operate on the flash or EEPROM memory.
 
When designing electronic boards for ISP programming it’s necessary to take into account some guidelines to have a programming phase as reliable as possible. Some microcontrollers with a low number of pins share the programming lines with the I/O lines. This could be a problem if the necessary precautions are not taken into account in the design of the board; the device can suffer the damage of the I/O components during the programming. Moreover, it’s important to connect the ISP lines to [[high impedance]] circuitry both to avoid a damage of the components by the programmer and because the microcontroller often cannot supply enough current to pilot the line. Many microcontrollers need a dedicated RESET line to enter in the Programmingprogramming Modemode. It is necessary to pay attention to current supplied for line driving and to check for presence of [[Watchdog timer|watchdogs]] connected to the RESET line that can generate an unwanted reset and, so, to lead a programming failure. Moreover, some microcontrollers need a higher voltage to enter in Programming Mode and, hence, it’s necessary to check that this value it’s not attenuated and that this voltage is not forwarded to others components on the board.
 
== Industrial application ==
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The second method uses [[test point]]s on the board. These are specific areas placed on the printed board, or [[Printed circuit board|PCB]], that are electrically connected to some of the electronic components on the board. Test points are used to perform functional tests for components mounted on board and, since they are connected directly to some microcontroller pins, they are very effective for ISP. For medium and high production volumes using test points is the best solution since it allows to integrate the programming phase in an assembly line.
 
In production lines, boards are placed on a bed of nails called [[Test fixture|fixture]]. The latter are integrated, based on the production volumes, in semiautomatic or automatic test systems called [[Automatic test equipment|ATE (automatic test equipment)]]. Fixtures are specifically designed for each board - or at most for few models similar to the board they were designed for – therefore these are interchangeable in the system environment where they are integrated. The test system, once the board and the fixture are placed in position, has a mechanism to put in contact the needles of the fixture with the Testtest Pointspoints on the board to test. The system it’s connected to, or has directly integrated inside, an ISP programmer. This one has to program the device or devices mounted on the board: for example, a microcontroller and/or a serial memory.
 
== Microchip ICSP ==
 
For most Microchip microcontrollers, ICSP programming is performed using two pins, clock (PGC) and data (PGD), while a high voltage (12&nbsp;V) is present on the Vpp/MCLR pin. Low voltage programming (5&nbsp;V or 3.3&nbsp;V) dispenses with the high voltage, but reserves exclusive use of an I/O pin. However, for newer microcontrollers, specifically PIC18F6XJXX/8XJXX microcontrollers families from [[Microchip Technology]], entering into ICSP modes is a bit different.<ref>http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/39644l.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> Entering ICSP Program/Verify mode requires the following three steps:
# Voltage is briefly applied to the MCLR (master clear) pin.
# A 32-bit key sequence is presented on PGD.
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# '''USB cable''' - Small and light weight, has support for voltage source and most computers have extra ports available. The distance between the circuit to be programmed and the computer is limited by the length of USB cable - it must usually be less than 180&nbsp;cm. This can make programming devices deep in machinery or cabinets a problem.
 
ICSP programmers have many advantages, with size, computer port availability, and power source being major features. Due to variations in the interconnect scheme and the target circuit surrounding a micro-controller, there is no programmer that works with ''''' all ''''' possible target circuits or interconnects. Microchip Technology provides a detailed ICSP programming guide<ref>[http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/30277d.pdf ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/30277d.pdf ICSP programming guide], Microchip</ref> Many sites provide programming and circuit examples.
 
PICs are programmed using five signals (a sixth pin 'aux' is provided but not used). The data is transferred using a two-wire synchronous serial scheme, three more wires provide programming and chip power. The clock signal is always controlled by the programmer.
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[[File:pic icsp.jpg|thumb]]
 
* ''' V<sub>pp</sub> ''' - Programming mode voltage. This must be connected to the MCLR pin, or the V<sub>pp</sub> pin of the optional ICSP port available on some large-pin-count PICs. To put the PIC into programming mode, this line must be in a specified range that varies from PIC to PIC. For 5{{Nbsp}}V PICs, this is always some amount above V<sub>dd</sub>, and can be as high as 13.5 V. The 3.3 V only PICs like the 18FJ, 24H, and 33F series use a special signature to enter programming mode and V<sub>pp</sub> is a digital signal that is either at ground or Vdd. There is no one V<sub>pp</sub> voltage that is within the valid V<sub>pp</sub> range of all PICs. In fact, the minimum required V<sub>pp</sub> level for some PICs can damage other PICs.
* ''' V<sub>dd</sub> ''' - This is the positive power input to the PIC. Some programmers require this to be provided by the circuit (circuit must be at least partially powered up), some programmers expect to drive this line themselves and require the circuit to be off, while others can be configured either way (like the Microchip ICD2). The Embed Inc programmers expect to drive the V<sub>dd</sub> line themselves and require the target circuit to be off during programming.
* ''' V<sub>ss</sub> ''' - Negative power input to the PIC and the zero volts reference for the remaining signals. Voltages of the other signals are implicitly with respect to V<sub>ss</sub>.
* ''' ICSPCLK ''' - Clock line of the serial data interface. This line swings from GND to V<sub>dd</sub> and is always driven by the programmer. Data is transferred on the falling edge.
* ''' ICSPDAT ''' - Serial data line. The serial interface is bi-directional, so this line can be driven by either the programmer or the PIC depending on the current operation. In either case this line swings from GND to Vdd. A bit is transferred on the falling edge of PGC.
* ''' AUX/PGM ''' - Newer PIC controllers use this pin to enable low voltage programming (LVP). By holding PGM high, the micro-controller will enter LVP mode. PIC micro-controllers are shipped with LVP enabled - so if you use a brand new chip you can use it in LVP mode. The only way to change the mode is by using a high voltage programmer. If you program the micro controller with no connection to this pin, the mode is left unchanged.
 
=== RJ11 pinout ===
[[File:Rj11-4-6 to icsp.jpg|thumb|RJ11 to ICSP PIC programmer]]An industry standard for using [[Registered jack#RJ11|RJ11 sockets]] with an ICSP programmer is supported by Microchip. The illustration represents information provided in their data sheets. However, there is room for confusion. The PIC data sheets show an inverted socket and do not provide a pictorial view of pinouts so it is unclear what side of the socket Pin 1 is located on. The illustration provided here is '''untested''' but uses the phone industry standard pinout (the RJ11 plug/socket was original developed for wired desktop phones).
 
==References==