Steps and Methods for IC Chip Programming

IC programming refers to the process of writing software (also known as firmware) onto an IC. Generally, products from the manufacturer are not pre-programmed, but they usually contain some code (for example, some chips have a unique serial number, boot section, etc.). This process is a necessary step that is even more important than IC testing, and it is typically carried out by the final electronic product manufacturers.

Steps and Methods:

1. First, connect the programmer data cable and insert the corresponding IC socket into the programming socket; turn on the computer and the programmer’s power. 2. Run the programming software: double-click the icon “GANG-08” (different programming sockets correspond to different programming software). 3. Select the IC brand: After the program startup screen appears, click the “Device” menu to bring up the IC brand selection table, then select the corresponding brand of the IC to be programmed and click “OK”; 4. Select the IC model: At this point, the IC model produced by the company of the IC to be programmed will appear; select the IC model and click “Run”; if the programming socket requires jumpers, follow the computer prompts to set the jumpers, and after setting, click “OK”; if there are no jumpers, directly enter the programming interface; 5. Load the software to be programmed: click the “File” menu, select “Load File To Programmer Buffer”, choose the software to be programmed, click “Open”, then select “00” and click OK.

Steps and Methods:

6. Check the software checksum (Buffer Checksum): After loading the software, a four-digit checksum will appear; this code must correspond to the checksum in the “Electronic Design File Notification” to indicate that the software to be programmed is correct. If incorrect, immediately report to the relevant department for resolution. 7. Program the software: click the “Program” button, insert the IC into the socket, and after it is properly seated, press the programming button on the programming socket. When programming is complete, if successful, it will display “OK”; if failed, it will show a red “Error” message; the indicator light for each successful programming socket will light up, indicating that the IC has been successfully programmed. 8. Mark the programming status; affix a sticker to the successfully programmed IC, and reprogram any failed ICs in another socket; if an IC is confirmed damaged, place it in the defective products box and label it appropriately.

IC Programming Verification Steps

1. Before starting work each day, load the ICs to be programmed into the IC programming socket, program them according to the work instructions, and assign them numbers. 2. After successful programming, place the ICs into other programming sockets with different numbers, then select “VERIFY” from the menu and press “RUN” to start verification; if all show “OK”, then load the ICs into other programming sockets for re-verification; if verification is OK, it indicates that the programming socket is functioning correctly. 3. If “VERIFY” fails, first load the ICs that passed verification into the socket corresponding to the failed IC, and the socket that just failed verification; if a socket still fails verification, it may indicate that the socket is damaged and causing programming data errors; reinsert another IC that passed verification into the socket for verification; if confirmed damaged, immediately stop using that socket for programming and report the situation to the relevant personnel, and recheck the programmed ICs.