Tim Kerby wrote:
>
> Hi
> I have had a great idea (I think!) for a PIC programmer.
...
> The one thing most computers, PDAs etc have (or
> is available as shareware) is a terminal program.  If a simple set of
> commands were developed where the hex file was merely sent (either as text
> or a xmodem protocol or something) after a few configuration details to the
> programmer then it could work with almost anything without having to make
> specialist software.

IMHO it is a good Idea ! Some time ago i was thinking
about a simmilar programmer and i was wondering nobody
has build somthing simmilar.

Using standard serial communication and implementing
the programming algorithm in a PIC will solve some
problems of programmers we are using now :

- genereting exact Timing winth a PC
- non-standard uotput levels on the serial interface
- problems on multitasking operating systems

In addition it have's some advantages :

- works on all operating systems, including Linux, OS/2, NT ...
- works not only on intel-based PCs
- dont need special programming software
- maybe interactiv changing of the EEPROM-contents, for configuration
  of PIC devices.
- maybe reprogramming PICs trough a modem ???

Connecting a PIC programmer to a PDO is also not a bad idea,
for reprogramming devices 'in field'


> This would probally need a decent PIC to implement a
> file transfer protocol and store the hex file but I think it could be done

It would need big one, meybe a PIC16F84 would ne enough.
Since there is not enough RAM to save the the whole programm, it
have to read the HEX file line by line or even byte by byte
and programm and veryfy it.

A simple standard protokoll for the serial data transmission
like RTS/CTS (hardware) or XON/XOFF (software) should be implemented.

User interface for commands : select PIC type, read, write, erase
could be a easy text menu on the ASCII terminal.

> if someone has the time to do it (not me at present - it's school exam
> season!).

Simmilar Problem - not enough time ...



St.

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