ATMEL Programmer Help Page

Introduction

Microcontrollers (uC's) have been around for quite a while now. With relatively few I/O lines, a limited instruction set and almost no peripherals they are far better suited for control applications than uC's such as 8051, 6800, etc.

Data Sheets may be obtained from their website atmel.com.

These kits use a computer serial port for communication. Using the serial port has several advantages:

• The programmer does not require special software other than a terminal emulator program. Windows 3.11 & 95/98 come with this program (Terminal and HyperTerminal) built-in. You may download our own Term.zip from our website.
• It allows the programmer to be used with any computer and operating system.

The Atmel devices have a number of advantages:

• Flash technology. No need for EPROMs, UV erasers and OTPs.
• Software compatible with the industry standard 8051.
• The 8051 family has been around for years and a vast library of software is available such as assemblers and simulators. Even code fragments for doing things such as initialising the serial port or BCD arithmetic are also available.

OPERATION & USE

Connect the programmer to the serial port of a PC or other host using a "straight through" 9 pin cable. Start a terminal emulation program (telix, procomm etc) running at 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity bit.

For Windows3.11 use Terminal. In Windows 95/98 you can use Hyperterminal. Use TTY emulation, no flow control. Save As K3121.ht. Apply power to the programmer. Press Reset if necessary. A menu should appear and both LEDs should be off. The programmer is ready for use. If the menu does not appear check the above specifications. Check that the com port is correct.

We provide a simple DOS-based terminal program Term.zip. Also, there is a batchfile for kit 3121 to help automate volume programming anda  utilities file for kit 3123

You may modify these to suit your requirements.

NOTE: Do not insert or remove ICs in the programming socket until the programmer is powered up. Once powered do not insert or remove ICs until both LEDs are off.

The programmer has six command functions:

P ............... Program code data

R ............... Read code data

V ............... Verify code data

L ............... write Lock bits

E ............... Erase chip

B ............... Blank check

Insert a chip into the programming socket and choose an option. The programmer first attempts to identify the device and prints an error message if unable to do so. If all is well the function will be carried out and a message printed on completion. Before programming a chip it should be blank checked and erased if necessary. When programming or verifying data the user will be prompted to send a file to the programmer. The file must be in Intel HEX format and is transmitted using an ASCII or text transfer protocol. If an error occurs while programming or verifying, an error message will be printed and the programmer will stop. The VCC LED will remain on.

The user will be prompted to press the reset switch. The usual programming sequence will be E B P V L. In HyperTerminal use Transfer/Send Text File after P tells you to Send file. (The text file in this case will be a *.hex file.) VPP will flicker on/off during programming. When you Send file for Verification VPP will not flicker. If all is OK both LEDs will go off. L)ock the code.

Note: The "verify" function must be performed BEFORE writing the lock bits. Writing the lock bits prevents the code from being read out. All data will read as 0FFh and verification will fail. When reading data the programmer converts the data into an Intel HEX file before sending it to the PC. The user should turn on text capture before starting the read function so that the data can be saved to a disk file.

Contact Technical Support

You can email us for help with this kit at: