Steven T. Sprouse <Steven.Sprouse@ENG.SUN.COM> wrote:

>I haven't been folowing this thread too closely so forgive me if
>I misunderstand anyone.
>
>I've designed a PIC based programmer that interfaces to a serial
>port.
>
> ....
>
>The interface for my programmer is pretty simple, the controller
>pic talks to the  Sun at 9600 baud half duplex

Steven:

Yeah, you misunderstood (not that your comments aren't worthwhile, though)...
The subject of the thread was David Tait's new programmer that doesn't require
a "controller PIC".  Solves the chicken-and-egg problem involved with getting
that controller PIC programmed in the first place.

I have a couple of PRO MATEs, so I don't need a DIY programmer, but personally,
I think David's circuit is pretty cool.

-Andy

P.S.  Motorola, of course, solved the chicken-and-egg problem with their
      6805s long ago; each chip comes from the factory with bootstrap
      programming code in ROM... Build a simple programmer board (just a few
      chips, using PCB layout supplied by Mot), add a power supply, plug it
      into any computer's serial port, and away you go.

--
Andrew Warren - fastfwd@ix.netcom.com
Fast Forward Engineering, Vista, California