ChipProg™ Series - Essential Properties
In-System Device Programmers
- ChipProg-ISP2: a family of very fast and scalable in-system device programmers, including configurable gang programmers, mostly intended for production environment;
In-socket (parallel) Device Programmers with ISP Capability
- ChipProg-48: truly universal yet inexpensive device programmer; may not be fast enough for NAND programming;
- ChipProg-481: truly universal device programmer: extremely fast, designed for NAND memory support;
Please see more details in the FAQ matrix below.
| FAQ: | Answers |
|---|---|
| In-system Device Programmers | |
| We are looking for a device programmer for certain device(s). How can we check if Phyton supports them, and find the optimal solution? | Use our Finder. If Phyton does support your devices, you can continue the search and obtain a list of compatible device programmers and programming adapters, along with prices. You can then select a programmer that optimally matches your future list of devices and your budget. Alternatively, you can check device lists in programmer data sheets (see for example the Device List button here). Do not get disappointed if unable to find your device. Contact us – we may be able to promptly add support for it. |
| We are looking for a development in-system programmer (ISP). Do you have a solution? | Yes, and more than one. First, check whether we support ISP programming mode for your device. If so, and if Phyton offers several device programmers with ISP capabilities, select between one of ChipProg-ISPx specialized in-system programmers and one of ChipProg-4x parallel programmers. These are also capable of in-system programming via special cable-adapters. In case you need a universal programmer for programming devices before installing them on boards as well as already installed in some equipment (in-system), choosing one of ChipProg-4x tools with appropriate cable-adapters could be a more practical alternative. |
| We are looking for a production in-system programmer (ISP) for use in a test fixture. What do you offer? | Check out our new ChipProg-ISP2 family of production programmers designed around very fast CPI2 engine. It includes single-channel CPI2-B1 programmer and CPI2-Gx gang programmers. Multiple CPI2-B1 programmers can be combined into a programming cluster controlled from a single computer. CPI2-Gx gang programmers can carry 2 to 7 upright or planar plug-in CPI2-GM1 modules. |
| What is the major difference between your new ChipProg-ISP2 and older ChipProg-ISP programmers? | Please see the comparison matrix. In general, the ChipProg-ISP2 programmers, released 10 years after the introduction of ChipProg-ISP, are based on an enhanced and much faster CPI2 engine; they feature internal SD card allowing them to work in stand-alone mode and have Ethernet interface. The ChipProg-ISP hardware technology has certain limitations; this model is planned to be discontinued and will be completely replaced by CPI2-B1 in 2016-2017. |
| What are the benefits and disadvantages of using multiple CPI2-B1 programmers in gang mode versus using one CPI2-Gx gang programmer? | Both CPI2-B1 and CPI2-Gx programmers are have the same engine, so programming speed is the same. However, each CPI2-GM1 module in a CPI2-Gx gang programmer has a built-in multiplexer, so each channel can be multiplexed into two. The cost of the CPI2-DEMUX license spreads to all the modules installed in the gang programmer. This makes using CPI2-Gx gang programmers with 4 to 7 modules more economical than using same number of single-site CPI2-B1 programmers. On the other hand, a two-site gang programmer based on a couple of CPI2-B1 units is slightly less expensive than a CPI2-G02/04x gang programmer with two CPI2-GM1 modules. |
| In-socket (parallel) Device Programmers | |
| We need to program some PALs and PLDs in socket adapters. Which device programmer supports them? | First check if your devices are supported by the ChipProg-48 or ChipProg-481. ChipProg-40 does not support programming of logical devices (PALs/GALs/PLDs). |
| I am looking for the least expensive Phyton device programmer. What can you offer to us? | Take a look at our ChipProg-48 model. |
| Our device is supported by both ChipProg-48 and ChipProg-481 which is more expensive. What is the difference between these programmers? | The difference is in the programming speed. These programmers look similar but the ChipProg-481 belongs to a new generation. Its newer hardware design makes it ~15-20 times faster than the ChipProg-48, but only on such targets as high-density NAND and eMMC devices. So, if you need a fast NAND/eMMC programmer we highly recommend the ChipProg-481. On other devices the speed difference between the ChipProg-481 and ChipProg-48 fades out on low density memory devices and simple MCUs. |
| We are looking for a fast gang programmer for production. What multiprogramming solutions can Phyton offer to us? | An unlimited number of single-site ChipProg-481 and ChipProg-48 device programmers can be connected in a programming cluster driven from one computer. |