Atmel 89 Series Device Programmer

Powerful programmer for the Atmel 89 series of microcontrollers that includes

89C51/52/55, 89S51/52/55 and many more. With this article you can make your own
programmer. This is a complete programming solution when it is attached to a
suitable power supply and connected to your personal computer. Proload and
Firmware Version 4.1 at 57600 speed.

Features

 Supports major Atmel 89 series devices

 Auto Identify connected hardware and devices
 Error checking and verification in-built
 Lock of programs in chip supported to prevent program copying
 20 and 40 pin ZIF socket on-board
 Auto Erase before writing and Auto Verify after writing
 Informative status bar and access to latest programmed file
 Simple and Easy to use
 Works on 57600 speed

Specifications

Dimensions: 76mm x 180mm (3" x 7")

Power Supply: 14-18V DC or 12-16V AC
Interface: RS-232, 9-pin D connector
Data Speed: 57600 bps, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop, no flow control
File format: Intel 8-bit HEX
Program Sockets: 40 pin DIP - 0.6" & 20 pin DIP 0.3" ZIF socket
Software: Works on Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, NT, XP

Introduction

Simple to use & low cost, yet powerful flash microcontroller programmer for the
Atmel 89 series. It will Program, Read and Verify Code Data, Write Lock Bits, Erase
and Blank Check. All fuse and lock bits are programmable. This programmer has
intelligent onboard firmware and connects to the serial port. It can be used with any
type of computer and requires no special hardware. All that is needed is a serial
communication port which all computers have. 

All devices have signature bytes that the programmer reads to automatically identify
the chip. No need to select the device type, just plug it in and go! All devices also
have a number of lock bits to provide various levels of software and programming
protection. These lock bits are fully programmable using this programmer. Lock bits
are useful to protect the progam to be read back from microcontroller only allowing
erase to reprogram the microcontroller.

The programmer connects to a host computer using a standard RS232 serial port. All
the programming 'intelligence' is built into the programmer so you do not need any
special hardware to run it. Programmer comes with window based software for easy
programming of the devices.
Supported Devices

The table below shows the key differences between the various microcontrollers. Data
sheets for each device can be found on the Atmel web site. All these devices are
supported by the programmer.

Flash (Kbytes) EEPROM RAM (Bytes) I/O Pins

AT89C51 4 128 32
AT89LV51 4 128 32
AT89C52 8 256 32
AT89LV52 8 256 32
AT8C55 20 256 32
AT89LV55 20 256 32
AT89S51 4 128 32
AT89LS51 4 128 32
AT89S52 8 256 32
AT89LS52 8 256 32
AT89S53 12 256 32
AT89LS53 12 256 32
AT89S8252 8 2 Kb 256 32
AT89LS8252 8 2 Kb 256 32
AT89C1051 1 128 15
AT89C2051 2 128 15
AT89C4051 4 128 15

These microcontrollers from Atmel use flash memory to store programs. Flash
memory can be electronically erased and programmed, no need for a UV eraser.

Hardware

Major parts of this programmer are Serial Port, Power Supply and Firmware
microcontroller. 

Serial data is sent and received from 9 pin connector and converted to/from TTL
logic/RS232 signal levels by MAX232 chip. A Male to Female serial port cable,
connects to the 9 pin connector of hardware and another side connects to back of
computer. Serial Cable is made with 9 pin male connector to 9 pin female connector
and connect pins 2,3 and 5 straight.

Power supply is attached to DC Socket, The bridge rectifies and make the polarity
proper, This voltage is unregulated called VDD. From VDD the required supply are
generated on board. 

Hardware's central part is the firmware that makes the programmer intelligent.
Firmware of this programmer is responsible to recognize inserted chip in either of the
two ZIF socket. This information is sent to ProLoad on the computer. When a hex file
is sent from the computer, the target MCU is loaded with appropriate address, data
and control signals. After the programming of all data is finished the data written is
sent to computer for verification.

Programming Software

Computer side software called 'ProLoad V4.1' is executed that accepts the Intel HEX
format file generated from compiler to be sent to target microcontroller. It auto detects
the hardware connected to the serial port. It also auto detects the chip inserted and
bytes used. Software is developed in Delphi 7 and requires no overhead of any
external DLL.
Connects to your computer's serial port (Comm 1, 2, 3 or 4) with a standard DB9
Male to DB9 Female cable. (Cable Included). Baud Rate - 57600,COMx
Automatically selected by window software. No PC Card Required. Uses Intel Hex
Data Format (Default output of most assemblers and compilers.)