MultiWriter pps (production programming system)

MultiWriter pps (production programming system)
On-Board Gang Part Programming System

Features

• Simultaneous programming™ of up to 384 parts at once
• Programming unique data (date code, serial number, MAC address, calibration data, etc.) on a per-device basis
• Data Encryption Protection option insures your IP (Intellectual Property) is not at risk anywhere in the world
• High throughput via fast programming/verification data rates with excellent signal quality
• Universal programming capability for all device familiessupported by an extensive protocol library

Application
Programming CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices) such as serial flash memories and microcontrollers after these parts have been mounted on the printed circuit board. Since the contents of Phase Change Memory (also known as PCM, PCME, PRAM, PCRAM, and C-RAM) can be lost because of the high temperatures needed to solder the device to a board, on-board programming is required.

MultiWriter pps™ On-board Part Programming Overview

The MultiWriter pps™ on-board gang programming system uses proven, patented simultaneous programming technology to program up to 384 chips simultaneously, up to 16 different types or families — typically in seconds instead of the minutes required by conventional programmers.

Compared to other part programming solutions, MultiWriter pps delivers significant speed and cost advantages over conventional in-circuit tester-based programmers when more than four parts already mounted on circuit boards must be programmed in a single pass, making it especially effective for multi-board panels.

MultiWriter pps is optimized for applications requiring programming of at least 4 parts per board or multi-board panel. MultiWriter can simultaneously program parts on multi-board panels with 10, 20 or more boards per panel.

Advantages of On-board Part Programming with the MultiWriter pps

• Eliminates the requirement to track different versions of pre-programmed parts, simplifying inventory management and eliminating rework (reprogramming) costs.
• Unique part- and board-specific data may be inserted into the main programming code ‘on-the-fly’ with the main program code, eliminating an additional downstream programming step.
• In medium to high volume production environments on-board programming costs significantly less than offline pre-programming by eliminating the separate chip-handling step and reducing inventory costs. Less handling also means fewer part failures.

Product Details
The MultiWriter pps On-board Gang Programming System includes:

• MultiWriter controller
• Integrated PC, keyboard, mouse and display
• Lambda 0-60V, 12.5A programmable power supply
• GenRad 227X-compatible fixture interface
• All the above integrated into system console with automated vacuum control
• Windows operating system
• MultiWriter control software

Purchase or Pay-Per-Use
Is Pay-Per-Use the right solution for your programmed parts?

^† MultiWriter Technology is protected under U.S. Patent No. 7,802,021.

MultiWriter Part Programming Device Library

MultiWriter technology is available on CheckSum Analyst low cost in-circuit testers or in the standalone MultiWriter pps™ On-board Gang Programming System.

MultiWriter Part Programming Families
MultiWriter has a comprehensive library of supported parts families, which is being updated and expanded on an ongoing basis. The figure below shows the part manufacturers with currently supported devices in the Library. You can download an up-to-date list of supported parts by manufacturer.

Please contact CheckSum to inquire if the parts family you need is planned or currently in development.

Manufacturers with parts in the MultiWriter Library

Part Programming

The throughput of simultaneous programming with the flexibility of custom programming. MultiWriter allows unique data such as a date code or serial number for the parts to be programmed with minimal impact on programming time. The part serial number or other data such as an assembly serial number entered via bar code can be stored in a file or provided at run-time. Calibration or other measurement data can be programmed into each part separately as illustrated in the diagram below.

Smart ISP™

MultiWriter’s Smart ISP (In-System Programming) technology ensures that the ISP programming phase follows a defect-free in-circuit test of the board. The test system programs only boards that have passed the in-circuit tests. Only assemblies that have passed the opens/shorts and other component tests are powered-on. For example, if a panel has seven tested-good assemblies out of eight total, then only those seven will be powered-on for ISP device programming.

Using the Data Encryption Protection option insures your IP (Intellectual Property) is not at risk anywhere in the world. Unique data (e.g. serial number, date code, MAC address, calibration data, etc) can be written to individual chips, as they are being gang-programmed.

Board Design Considerations

As is the case in most designs, the circuit design must allow in-system programming such that the device can be programmed without the requirement to overdrive other signals. The ISP device programming pins must be accessible via a bed-of-nails fixture—just like any other in-circuit test point.

The board or multi-board panel assembly layout should provide electrical access to the programming pins that are as physically close as possible to the device being programmed in order to minimize crosstalk and noise.

Device Programming Considerations

MultiWriter allows unique data such as a date code or serial number for the parts to be programmed with minimal impact on programming time. The part serial number or other data such as an assembly serial number entered via bar code can be stored in a file or provided at run-time. Calibration or other measurement data can be programmed into each part separately. Since unique data is typically a very small portion of the overall part memory, the programming time for chip-unique data will be minimal. A standard data file format (INTEL hex, Motorola S-Record, SVF, STAPL) is used for storage of unique data that is accessed during the ISP programming process.

The MultiWriter Controller board has two operating modes: Program and Verify. In Program mode, the controller places the ISP chip in the “program” state and code appropriate to the device is retrieved from the computer memory and applied via the fixture-based buffer boards. Once chip programming is complete, the MultiWriter controller places the chip in the “read” state and the code just programmed is verified. The Program and Verify operations can occur on a Test Step basis.

The board assembly (or individual panel in a multi-up assembly) will be powered-up to program the part, so some test system power source must be available and sufficient.

* Up to 16 MultiWriter control modules with up to 24 buffer modules each for 384 maximum devices. One MultiWriter control module required for each different device type.

^† MultiWriter Technology is protected under U.S. Patent No. 7,802,021.

Part Programming at ICT

MultiWriter On-Board Gang Part Programming

Programming CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) parts such as microcontrollers, serial Flash and FPGAs after they are attached to the circuit board [’on-board programming’] simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces inventory and rework costs compared to mounting pre-programmed chips.

Since the contents of Phase Change Memory (also known as PCM, PCME, PRAM, PCRAM, and C-RAM) can be lost because of the high temperatures needed to solder the device to a board, on-board programming is required.

Simultaneous Part Programming

MultiWriter uses patented simultaneous programming technology to simultaneously program up 384 chips at one time, up to 16 different types — usually in seconds instead of the minutes required by conventional programmers.

MultiWriter technology has already programmed millions of parts on millions of boards. Its ability to program up to 384 chips at once makes MultiWriter the industry’s most productive on-board part programmer.

MultiWriter Multiplies Productivity Two Ways

MultiWriter technology is available on CheckSum Analyst low cost in circuit testers or in the new standalone MultiWriter pps™ on-board gang programming system where at least four parts need to be programmed on a board or multi-board panel.

MultiWriter installed in an Analyst series in circuit tester:

• Simultaneous programming ability means faster programming times, which means faster throughput
• Eliminates expensive channel cards required by traditional in circuit solutions
• No costly retrofit required to ICT system for hardware/software specific to part programming applications

MultiWriter pps used following the traditional in circuit tester:

• High signal integrity via short wire lengths is well-suited to today’s higher programming speeds
• Unified hardware architecture eliminates problems with multi-vendor dongle-type solutions
• Simultaneous Programming means faster programming times; part programming will not become a process bottleneck.

MultiWriter Features & Benefits

MultiWriter technology is a clean, low cost solution to increase part programming productivity–regardless of whether it’s in an Analyst in circuit tester or in the MultiWriter pps gang programming system.

• Innovative, patented technology to gang program serial flash and embedded flash devices mounted on the board or multi-up panel at near-data book speeds.
• Data Encryption Protection option insures your IP (Intellectual Property) is not at risk anywhere in the world.
• Unique data (e.g. serial number, date code, MAC address, calibration data, etc) can be written to individual chips, as they are being gang-programmed.
• High throughput via simultaneous programming and verification of one to 384 chips¹ at a time.
• Low cost via “universal hardware” that eliminates costly channel cards used by in circuit testers and easily configured software.
• High signal quality with controller and programming buffers mounted right in the fixture.
• Comprehensive serial flash and microcontroller library

MultiWriter is the first ISP programming system integrated right into the bed-of-nails fixture

• Fixture-based architecture delivers maximum flexibility at the lowest possible cost.
• Eliminates the requirement for expensive tester channels and long signal paths.
• Smart ISP™ ensures that chips on failed boards are not programmed — even when they are part of a „multi-up” panel. With CheckSum’s Smart ISP technology, there’s no possibility of damaging expensive components. Power is applied only to those boards within a multi-board panel assembly that have passed the ICT opens/shorts and other component tests.

Simultaneous device programming

• Up to 384 ISP devices whether on a single board or distributed across multiple boards in a panel assembly — and all combinations in between — are programmed simultaneously.
• Flexible code verification: can be performed after all programming is complete or on a step-by-step basis.
• Boards need not be de-paneled prior to programming parts.

Comprehensive device and bus algorithm library

• Supported bus algorithms include I2C, SPI, Microwire, JTAG, and PIC.
• MultiWriter’s library supports user-defined algorithms, as well.

Unique data may be programmed on a per-device basis — even on panelized boards

• MultiWriter handles data unique to each device such as serial number or board calibration information.
• Data collected on-the-fly at earlier test stages may be manipulated (i.e., calculations performed) and then programmed directly into the device during the same test sequence.

Fixture-mounted buffer boards ensure the highest signal quality

• A buffer board associated with each device to be programmed delivers clean signals and state conditioning at the highest possible programming speed.
• Buffer boards are mounted right in the fixture, eliminating cabling problems and ground return issues for noise-minimized reliability.
• Up to 16 MultiWriter control modules with up to 24 buffer modules each for 384 maximum devices. One MultiWriter control module required for each different device family.

¹ Up to 16 MultiWriter control modules with up to 24 buffer modules each for 384 maximum devices. One MultiWriter control module required for each different device type.

^† MultiWriter Technology is protected under U.S. Patent No. 7,802,021.

Simultaneous Part Programming: The Key to Fast Throughput and High Productivity

MultiWriter Simultaneously Programs Up to 384 Parts at Once

As CPLD memory sizes increase, fast programming times are critically important.  MultiWriter delivers impressive throughput improvements over convention ICT-based part programming approaches via three key innovations:

1. Serial-bus programming at near-data book speeds facilitated by MultiWriter’s unique in-fixture hardware that eliminates expensive channel cards and minimizes wire length for excellent signal fidelity.
2. Simultaneous programming of up to 384 identical chips at a time (crucial for multi-board panel assemblies).
3. Simultaneous programming of up to 16 different device types of up to 24 chips each. That means up to 384 (16 x 24) devices may be programmed at once.

Conventional Part Programming:
Requires 24 individual programming/verification steps conducted in sequence.

Each red box represents an individual programming/verification operation.

MultiWriter Simultaneous Programming:
Requires just one programming/verification step since all chips are programmed and verified in a single programming sequence.

MultiWriter Part Programmer is Designed for High Throughput & Low Cost

The MultiWriter Part Programming System solves the throughput and cost problems of earlier ISP programming techniques used in-line on in-circuit testers (ICT) and with 'dongle’-based approaches used at functional test.

Using CheckSum’s patented simultaneous programming technology to program up to 384 serial parts in a single pass, MultiWriter technology makes on-board part programming practical, affordable and productive.

And fast. Serial Flash, EEPROMS, embedded microcontrollers, and FPGAs are programmed at near-data book speeds. Since the contents of Phase Change Memory (also known as PCM, PCME, PRAM, PCRAM, and C-RAM) can be lost because of the high temperatures needed to solder the device to a board, on-board programming is required.

Using the Data Encryption Protection option insures your IP (Intellectual Property) is not at risk anywhere in the world. Unique data (e.g. serial number, date code, MAC address, calibration data, etc) can be written to individual chips, as they are being gang-programmed.

A unique test fixture-based controller and buffer card architecture reduces cost, improves signal quality. A USB 2.0 bus directly from the controller to computer and MultiWriter software designed for speed complete the productivity equation.

Software architecture enables simultaneous part programming

MultiWriter’s ability to program ISP devices simultaneously rests on its patented architecture that allows it to program up to 384 serial ISP devices per board or multi-up panel at high speed.

The total programming time is identical for a single chip on a single board, one chip per board on a multiple panel assembly, or any combination in between. Device-specific code is programmed following the simultaneous programming step. Since the amount of device-specific code is small compared to the code common to all chips, total programming time is affected very little, if at all.