Universal IC Testers. - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

lord loh. · 21st May 2008, 07:40 AM

I was wondering how Universal IC testers work. While most ICs have a fixed position for VCC & ground, some ICs have different VCC & ground positions.

If a Vcc & ground are applied to wrong pins, then the IC shall see them as signals without applying Vcc & ground. Will this not damage the IC? How is the set done then?

In case of microcontrollers, some give out their signatures at +12v. While others have absolute maximum ratings of 5.5v. How do these device work then? And what if 3.3 v devices are to be tested with the same device?

And to add to all the trouble, devices have different pin counts.

I actually want to build a universal programmer. And the first step would be to detect the device in the socket.

Super_voip · 21st May 2008, 06:52 PM

a "universal" tester is generally only for a family gruop of ICs, not every IC. If the tester does two or more family groups it usually refered to (by sales people) as universal.
Most testers require you to enter the part number, it would be a very big job to scan an IC and decide what part it is and since that info is generally stamped on the case, why bother.

mneary · 22nd May 2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

I actually want to build a universal programmer. And the first step would be to detect the device in the socket.

I would recommend that the first step would be to tell the programmer what you think the part is, and have the programmer confirm it. Why would you program an unknown part? How would you choose the contents without knowing the part? e.g. what would an AVR do with a PIC binary?

lord loh. · 22nd May 2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mneary

...the first step would be to tell the programmer what you think the part is, and have the programmer confirm it...

How do find out what part it is before confirming it. How do I differentiate between a PIC / AVR / 8051? The Vcc pins are at different position to begin with. To which pins do I apply the Vcc to?

blueroomelectronics · 22nd May 2008, 01:07 PM

Universal IC testers don't usually test anything more complicated than digital TTL & CMOS ICs. I've never seen one that tests OpAmps, microcontrollers, FPGA, PALs, GALs, EEPROMS etc...

If this is your final project you might want to rethink it or just stick to a TTL Logic IC tester.

lord loh. · 22nd May 2008, 02:53 PM

No it is not my final year project. I have finished my M.Sc. I just wanted to make a single programmer for my microcontrollers. Currently I use 89S51 & AVRs.

As of now, I have
1. 89S51/52 programmer (ISP)
2. AVR ISP programmer (The one with just two resistors)

I need to make one STK 500 based programmer to salvage my AVR.
One to programme PICs...

How many am I going to make? I have lost more microcontroller to my mistakes than what I have used to realise projects successfully and I do not intend to lose any more.

If I make some mistake, the programmer must detect the right microcontroller and warn me or better still correct my error. To do this I need to know whether it is a PIC /AVR /8051 in the socket.

For 8051 The Vcc Gnd is Pin 40 & 20. Say I apply Vcc ay Pin 40 & 20 to see if the controller is an 8051 or not by reading it's signature.... And if the one in the socket happens to be an AVR, then the AVR shall see logic one at Port A.0 and Logic 0 at Port C.6. And this shall happen while the AVR is not supplied the Vcc & ground. Could this not damage the AVR?

Or think of the reverse case.

blueroomelectronics · 22nd May 2008, 04:10 PM

Don't bother, just buy a programmer that fits your needs. How are you going to write the rather complex software that it would require?

aljamri · 22nd May 2008, 04:12 PM

Beside the digital IC's Tester, I've seen IC comparator where you connect the suspected IC and a similar working one. Connect both to the comparator. It tests each same pin in both ICs and give on a small CRT a signature that you have to watch and compare. In case of fault, the difference comes in signatures.

This device can be used for discrete component such as capacitor, resistor, diode, transistor …..

lord loh. · 23rd May 2008, 06:01 AM

I am thinking of making an XML file describing the programming sequence. So when I need to add new devices, I can do so without changing the code.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Title	Starter	Forum	Replies	Latest
universal programmer	rshafi68	Micro Controllers	2	23rd August 2006 02:25 AM
Universal gates	shekiboy	General Electronics Chat	7	7th July 2006 05:29 AM
pic universal programmer	riyunikenshee	Micro Controllers	13	2nd July 2006 02:02 AM
Battery testers SPX OTC3150 broken	2PAC Mafia	General Electronics Chat	0	13th January 2006 08:54 AM
Universal Descrambler	Squintz	General Electronics Chat	0	13th October 2003 05:02 PM

21st May 2008, 07:40 AM	(permalink)
lord loh.	Universal IC Testers. I was wondering how Universal IC testers work. While most ICs have a fixed position for VCC & ground, some ICs have different VCC & ground positions. If a Vcc & ground are applied to wrong pins, then the IC shall see them as signals without applying Vcc & ground. Will this not damage the IC? How is the set done then? In case of microcontrollers, some give out their signatures at +12v. While others have absolute maximum ratings of 5.5v. How do these device work then? And what if 3.3 v devices are to be tested with the same device? And to add to all the trouble, devices have different pin counts. I actually want to build a universal programmer. And the first step would be to detect the device in the socket. __________________ Bharath Bhushan Lohray. M.Sc. Electronics.

21st May 2008, 06:52 PM	(permalink)
Super_voip	a "universal" tester is generally only for a family gruop of ICs, not every IC. If the tester does two or more family groups it usually refered to (by sales people) as universal. Most testers require you to enter the part number, it would be a very big job to scan an IC and decide what part it is and since that info is generally stamped on the case, why bother.

22nd May 2008, 01:07 PM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	Universal IC testers don't usually test anything more complicated than digital TTL & CMOS ICs. I've never seen one that tests OpAmps, microcontrollers, FPGA, PALs, GALs, EEPROMS etc... If this is your final project you might want to rethink it or just stick to a TTL Logic IC tester. __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

22nd May 2008, 02:53 PM	(permalink)
lord loh.	No it is not my final year project. I have finished my M.Sc. I just wanted to make a single programmer for my microcontrollers. Currently I use 89S51 & AVRs. As of now, I have 1. 89S51/52 programmer (ISP) 2. AVR ISP programmer (The one with just two resistors) I need to make one STK 500 based programmer to salvage my AVR. One to programme PICs... How many am I going to make? I have lost more microcontroller to my mistakes than what I have used to realise projects successfully and I do not intend to lose any more. If I make some mistake, the programmer must detect the right microcontroller and warn me or better still correct my error. To do this I need to know whether it is a PIC /AVR /8051 in the socket. For 8051 The Vcc Gnd is Pin 40 & 20. Say I apply Vcc ay Pin 40 & 20 to see if the controller is an 8051 or not by reading it's signature.... And if the one in the socket happens to be an AVR, then the AVR shall see logic one at Port A.0 and Logic 0 at Port C.6. And this shall happen while the AVR is not supplied the Vcc & ground. Could this not damage the AVR? Or think of the reverse case. __________________ Bharath Bhushan Lohray. M.Sc. Electronics.

22nd May 2008, 04:10 PM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	Don't bother, just buy a programmer that fits your needs. How are you going to write the rather complex software that it would require? __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

22nd May 2008, 04:12 PM	(permalink)
aljamri	Beside the digital IC's Tester, I've seen IC comparator where you connect the suspected IC and a similar working one. Connect both to the comparator. It tests each same pin in both ICs and give on a small CRT a signature that you have to watch and compare. In case of fault, the difference comes in signatures. This device can be used for discrete component such as capacitor, resistor, diode, transistor ….. __________________ Its what your friend in Your mind, what you in your friends mind

23rd May 2008, 06:01 AM	(permalink)
lord loh.	I am thinking of making an XML file describing the programming sequence. So when I need to add new devices, I can do so without changing the code. __________________ Bharath Bhushan Lohray. M.Sc. Electronics.