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Superpro 3000U is two programmers packaged into one: a universal programmer for engineering application and a manufacturing programmer for volume production. For production operation, Superpro 3000U operates in stand-alone (without a PC attached) mode. It supports 40,463 devices from 179 manufacturers including EPROM, EEPROM and Flash memory, PIC, AVR and other popular microcontrollers and PLDs.
By operating multiple programmers simultaneously you can use them in high volume production environment.
How to operate Stand-Alone mode for production operation
In Stand-alone mode, the programmer is no longer connected to a PC andoperation is done through the keyboard and LCD display built into the programmer.
In Stand-Alone mode operation, an optional Compact Flash (CF) card needs to be plugged into the programmer in order to store project files and device programming algorithms.
Project file contains user data, chip programming setup information, chip configuration data, auto programming command sequence, etc. So, in order to prepare to operate in stand-alone mode, the programmer has to be connected to a PC. Then device algorithm(s) have to be selected and transferred to the programmer and project file(s) created and transferred to the programmer.
In order to create and transfer project file(s), run Programmer in PC-host mode and execute the operations that you want to perform in stand-alone mode. Save the project to your hard drive and transfer the project file to the CF card. You can do this by using "Save Project" and "StandAlone" options under "Project" menu.
Users can complete all the batch commands by selecting the particular project file for the chip to be programmed prior to insert the chip. After this project file is set, the operator is to swap the chips for production mode programming. No other keystroke is needed as long as the same algorithm and data are used. Downloading the project file to CF card can only be done under PC-host mode though. Doing this is to simplify the operation under stand-alone mode, and avoid errors caused by potential operation mishandle. The CF card is used not only for storing project file but also as data buffer. One CF card can store multiple project files according to its capacity and the size of the files.
After first power on, the unit will initialize itself by a power on check. One of the steps the unit will check is to see if a compact flash (CF) card is present and plugged in for the operation. The user must make sure a CF card is properly plugged in before the power on. Without the presence of a CF card in the slot, the display will show "CF Card Error" right after initializing of the unit and the ERROR indicator light will lit up. Power the unit off and plug in the CF card, and then power the unit back on will take care of this issue. The recommended CF card capacity is 128MB minimum.
Benefits of Superpro Programmer programming methods:
1. Asynchronous programming, or concurrent programming, is more efficient than the synchronous programming of traditional gang programmers. There is a minimum downtime and the operator is also busy removing and inserting chips. In the traditional gang programmer, the operator is idled while the chips are being programmed and the programmer is idles while the chips are being removed and new chips inserted. Therefore, you can easily do the job of an 8-gang programmer with 4 of Superpro 3000U programmers. Hence the lower cost to the user.
2. Using Superpro 3000U is stand-alone mode you can start small and grow. You can start with one unit and add more units as the need grows. No need to spend $10,000 for an 8-gang or 16-gang programmer from the beginning. Hence the low start-up cost.
3. Service is easy. If a unit breaks down, the rest of the system is still running while having the defective unit serviced. You cannot do this with other gang programmers.
4. Superpro 3000U is a high performance universal programmer supporting over 40,463 devices and growing. We add new devices at a rate of more than 1,000 devices/year and new update is released twice per month. We also manufacture all ranges of socket adapters for the Superpro 3000U including very large socket adapters. Most gang programmers have limited devices supported and most of them are geared toward programming EPROMs and Flash devices. Their abilities to add new devices are not existent or severely limited. It also takes very long time for device update and the cost could be high.
5. Very large socket adapters are supported, such as PLCC84, TQFP160, etc. Most gang programmers are designed with narrow spacing between sockets.
6. Superpro 3000U is an ultra fast programmer. It programs 32Mbit chip in 13 seconds. It is faster than most gang programmers. Using Superpro 3000U an operator can program more chips in a day that by using a traditional gang programmer.
7. Superpro 3000U can be operated by an inexperienced operator with minimal training. A project file contains all set-up and user data necessary to program a chip. There is a minimal chance that an operator will make a mistake. Once the project file is selected the operator only has to insert a blank chip and remove a programmed chip upon beeping.
8. Data security is maintained by removing the Compact Flash card at the end of each operation from the programmer.
In summary, by using Superpro 3000U in production mode, the benefits are,
1. Fast programming.
2. Minimal investment in the beginning.
3. Low cost of ownership and easy expandability.
4. 40,463 devices supported, highest among the gang programmers.
5. All ranges of socket adapters available.
6. Minimal downtime and ease of service.
7. Fast new device update service free of charge.
8. Low labor cost of the operator.
9. Secure customer data protection.
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