brusque@HotPOP.com wrote:

>Hello,
>
>     we're needing to acquire a microcontroller programmer that would be 
>used on an industrial environment. This programmer must be stand-alone 
>(the computer just would be needed for transfering .hex files to the 
>programmer).
>
>     A programmer that works this way must have an internal memory with 
>enough size to fit some .hex files. To program a device, the device is 
>socketed on the ZIF (ICSP support would be very usefull) and the file is 
>selected with the LCD and keys.
>
>     Another very interesting feature would be some kind of acess 
>control/criptography so that users don't have how to extract the .hex 
>from the programmer.
>
>     I've searched the net without finding anything interesting. Someone 
>have sugestions? Experiences on devices like this?
>
>     Best regards,
>
>     Brusque
>  
>
I spec'd out exactly such a product about 3 yrs ago to be used on a 
Mexican production line, in
order to eliminate production errors I have the schematic somewhere, and 
I think we made one
on a whitewire PCB.

It used a PIC16F873 and a RAMTRON I2C 32Kx8 FRAM. It held 6 programs 
that were accessible
through a selector switch, a dual R/G led, and used 4 AA cells with a 
single diode drop for 5.25V.
It was a simple design. Now that programming has become so complex, it 
lost its appeal. Had a booster
to run the 13V supply.

To make it commercial now, I'd make it rechargeable via a USB cable, use 
a PIC16F88 and a modern
buck up-regulator, and  use an ATMEL 128Kx8.
 
What chip(s) do you need to program?

--Bob

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