[misc.misc] EPROM Programmers

harper@convex.com (David Harper) (02/01/90)

In article <467@phcoms.seri.philips.nl> techwrit@phcoms.seri.philips.nl (SERI Tech Writer) writes:
>We are looking for an EPROM Programmer capable of copying to 8 
>512 Kbit EPROMS at one time.
>
>Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheap programmer that can do
>this? 
>
>We have some information from a company called Needham's Electronics in
>Sacremento. They have a thing called the SA-20 for $750 which seems to
>do the things we want. Does anyone know anything about the company and
>the programmer. Any info would be welcome.
>
>Thanks.
>
>-- 
>Mike Casey, Philips Components, Building BC136, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
>Tel: +31-40-723159	Fax: +31-40-723846
>UUCP: 	..!hp4nl!phcoms!techwrit techwrit@phcoms.seri.philips.nl


Can't help you with Needham's but there are several other companys that you
might take a look at.  The ones described below manufacture/distribute a
'universal' programmer.  What this means is that rather than being a dedicated
(ie: hardwired) EPROM programmer or PAL programmer, etc., they are a 'pin'
programmer.  Each pin is basically controlled by a Digital to Analog converter 
and software drives the DAC to perform the necessary programming algorithm.
The big advantage to this type of approach is that when new devices come out
it is pretty much just a software effort to upgrade the programmer to handle
them.  About the only thing that can obsolete this approach is a change in
device package styles.  Most of the programmers come equiped with with a 40
pin DIP socket and can program anything in a DIP package up to 40 pins.  All
of the ones described below use a PC (or compatible) as a host.


1)  JDR Microelectronics
    110 Knowles Drive
    Los Gatos, CA 95030
    (800) 538-5000

    JDR distributes the MUP universal programmer ($499.99) which requires a
    host adaptor card ($29.95).  Not a bad little programmer - I personally
    own one and have been fairly happy with it.  The library of devices is
    somewhat limited (it does not do some of the devices I would like) but
    the Taiwaneese company that makes it does issue periodic updates.  The
    host adaptor card generates the high voltage programming voltage and
    runs *very* hot - I added an extra fan to my PC and directed the air
    flow directly to this card.  My biggest gripe is that JDR simply 
    distributes the thing and I can't get through them to the manufacturer
    and thus cannot find out enough about the thing to perhaps be able to
    create my own device library.  One nice additional thing it does is 
    to test 74XX type devices and some memory devices.

2)  XELTEK
    473 Sapena Ct. #26
    Santa Clara, CA 95054
    (800) 541-1975

    Do not know anything about this company - I simply saw the add in the back
    of EDN magazine.  They have a universal programmer for $585 (U.S. only).
    It also will test TTL/CMOS/DRAM/SRAM. 

3)  B&C Microsystems, Inc
    355 West Olive Ave,
    Sunnyvale CA 94086

    Again, I know nothing about this company - I saw their add in EDN also.
    Their programmer starts at $595 and includes one device library. Additional
    librarys are $95.  One nice thing in the ad - library updates can be
    received either on floppy or through a Customer Support BBS.

4)  Jameco Electronics
    1355 Shoreway Road,
    Belmont CA 94002
    (415) 592-8097

    They have an ad in EDN for a JE680 Universal Programmer for $1799.95.  I
    know nothing about the programmer, however, I have been dealing with this
    company for about 15 years and have always been quite happy with them.
    The ad says that an 80 page catalog of supported devices is available upon
    request.  The ad also says that the programmer is capable of standalone
    operation, as well as, being connected to the PC through either serial or
    parallel ports.

5)  Logical Devices, Inc.
    1201 N.W. 65th Place
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
    (305) 974-0967

    I used the ALLPRO programmer at a previous job and was very happy with it.
    It supports just about every device I've ever seen and the folks at Logical
    are great to work with.  The only drawback I can think of is that the unit
    is a little pricey - about $5K for the full blown unit which puts it out
    of the range (for me at least) of a personal programmer.  The thing is
    built like a tank and will probably out last the PC it's connected to, as
    well as, most of the devices it programs.  For anything other than home
    use this is the one I would recommend.


Dave Harper    -     Convex Computer Corp.            E-mail address:
3000 Waterview Pky.  Richardson, TX 75081             harper@convex.COM
(214) 497-4525 (W)   (214) 727-4206 (H)