02/23/18 B MiniPro TL866 EPROM Programmer...MiniPro TL866 EPROM Programmer Software Installation on the PC NOTE: It may be necessary to have Administrator privileges to install the

MINIPRO EPROM PROGRAMMER

Effective:

02/23/18

Revision:

B

All information contained in this document is the sole property of HSQ Technology. Any reproduction in part or whole without the written permission of HSQ Technology is prohibited.

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MiniPro TL866 EPROM Programmer

Software Installation on the PC

NOTE: It may be necessary to have Administrator privileges to install the software.

The following assumes installation on the C: drive in the Program Files folder (however, you may choose a

different location).

1. In the Program Files folder, create a new folder called “MiniPro”.

2. On the disc that comes with the programmer (or flash drive or other media), find the program:

“MiniProV650_setup.exe” and launch it.

3. For the “Destination Folder” navigate to C:\Program Files\MiniPro and then click [Install].

4. If a dialog box asks, “Do you want to allow the following program from an unknown publisher to make

changes to this computer?” Click [Yes].

5. Windows Security may say, “Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software”. Click [Install].

6. When a dialog box displays “Successfully installed”, click [Finish]. The MiniPro Programmer icon should

appear on the desktop.

7. Plug a USB cable into the MiniPro and then into a USB port on your computer. The first time this is done,

a message “Installing Device driver software” may display. The yellow Run LED on the programmer may

flash for a while. It is necessary to wait until this is finished.

8. Click the MiniPro icon on the desktop. The MiniPro window will appear. The first time you do this, you

may see a small Mini_Programmer window with the message, “Please reflash fireware”. Select

<main menu> --<tools>--Reflash fireware>”. Click [OK].

9. At the top of the screen, click [Tools] and on the resulting menu select “Reflash firmware”. Click

[Reflash]. This downloads a new version of firmware onto the programmer. After a few seconds, a

dialog box should display that says, “Reflash firmware Successful!”.


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Programmer Operation

There are two processes that must be performed in order to program an EPROM chip.

1. The EPROM data file must be “Loaded” (i.e., read) into the Programmer application.

2. The EPROM data is then “Programmed” (i.e., written) onto the chip.

Starting Up

These instructions assume you are making EPROMs for an HSQ 2504 RTU. This RTU uses a 27C256 type EPROM.

Different manufacturers may add letters or numbers before or after the 27C256 designation. For example, Texas

Instruments (TI) chips may be marked TMS27C256JL. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) chips may be marked

AM27C256-150. Other manufacturers use different naming variations, but the 27C256 part of the name is what

matters. These 27C256 chips are all compatible for reading data from the chip, so they can all be used in a 2504

RTU. However, different manufacturers use different methods to program data onto the chip. So when

preparing to program an EPROM, select the device type based on the manufacturer and part number of the

blank EPROM you intend to program.

1. Right-click and open the MiniPro icon on the Desktop. The MiniPro main window should appear. The

bottom toolbar of the window will display: “Hardware Interface Ver: No Device”. This shows when there

is no programming module is connected.

2. Plug the USB cable into the MiniPro and a USB port on the computer. The yellow Run LED on the

programmer will flash until the program finds the programming module. The bottom toolbar of the

window will display: “Hardware Interface Ver: TL866CS Vnnn” (where nnn is the firmware version of the

module, for example V03.2.72).


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3. Most commands are available on the top menu bar. The most commonly used commands are:

a. File(F) — This allows EPROM data to be read from, or saved to, files on the computer. (This will

be covered in more detail later.)

b. Select IC(S) — Clicking this will open a list of EPROM manufacturers and EPROM types.

c. Device(D) — This drop-down menu displays EPROM commands (Blank-check, Read, Program,

and Verify).

4. Near the top of the window is a box called “IC Information”. It may say:

Chip Type EEPROM

NOTE: This is harmless typo, it should say EPROM.

Selecting the EPROM Type

1. Click [Select IC] on the menu bar and then select “Search and Select IC(S)”. Clicking this box will open a

list of EPROM manufacturers. Most 2504 RTU EPROMS are made by AMD, ST, TI, or Intel.

2. In the left column, under “Manufactory”, scroll down to and click the manufacturer of the blank EPROM.

3. In the right column, under “Device”, scroll down to and click the type of the blank EPROM you are

copying to. Chips for the HSQ 2504 RTU are some variation of “27C256”.

The most likely chips to be shown in the list are:

AMD AM27C256 @DIP28

ST M27C256B @DIP28

TI TMS27C256 @DIP28

Intel 27C256 @DIP28

Some device types may have additional letters or numbers at the end (e.g., TMS27C256JL or AM27C256-15),

these can be ignored.


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DIP28 refers to the rectangular 28-pin EPROM used in the 2504 RTU. Other type codes will not work with the

2504 RTU EPROMs.

1. From the Menu bar of the window click [Select IC(S)]. This shows the currently selected EPROM type.

The arrow next to the box displays the most recently selected EPROM types. This can be a shortcut for

selecting the EPROM type.

2. In the lower left of the window is an “Options” box. In it there is a checkbox called “Check ID”. Make

sure this box is unchecked. You will have to repeat this if you select a different EPROM type.

3. The EPROM programmer has a forty-pin Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket. Begin with the latching lever

sticking up vertically. Make sure the pins of the EPROM chip are straight. Insert the chip into the socket

and lock it in place by pressing the latching lever down.

4. For any operation on an EPROM, the screen will display a command window showing the correct

position of the chip in the socket.

NOTE: Chips smaller than forty pins should be positioned at the top end of the socket with the notch at the

top. (The USB cable connects to the bottom end of the programmer.)

Copying an EPROM

To make a copy of an existing EPROM:

1. When reading data from the chip you want to make a copy of, the device type (27C256) is important but

the manufacturer is not.

2. Click [Device(D)] on the menu bar and then click [Read...(R)]. The Chip Read window shows the correct

position of the EPROM in the 40-pin socket.

3. Insert the EPROM you want to make a copy of into the socket and latch it.

4. Click [Read]. If you see an ID Error message, click [Cancel] to return to the main window and uncheck

the “Check ID” box in the lower left. Repeat the above steps.

5. When the data is read correctly, click [Cancel].

6. Unlatch and remove the EPROM.


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7. Click [Device] on the menu bar.

8. Click [Blank Check]. The Chip Blank window shows the correct position of the EPROM in the 40-pin

socket.

9. Insert a blank EPROM into the socket and latch it.

10. Click [Blank]. The message should say the chip is blank.

If the message says “Not Empty” the EPROM is not blank. Try another.

11. Click [Cancel] to return to the main window.

12. .With a blank EPROM in the socket, click [Device] and then click [Program]. The Chip window shows the

correct position of the EPROM in the 40-pin socket.

13. Click [Program]. After a short time the message should say “Programming successful”.

14. Click [Cancel].

Programming includes verifying that the data is correct. If you wish to verify again, click [Device], [Verify],

[Verify]. The message should say “Verify Result: Successful”.

If an EPROM becomes programmed with bad data, it must be erased and reprogrammed. EPROMs have a

circular window in the middle of the chip. The only way to erase the data is to use an EPROM erase light to shine

ultraviolet light through the window, usually for about thirty minutes.

To make another copy of the same EPROM, repeat the Blank Check and Program steps.

To copy a different EPROM, repeat the Read, Blank Check, and Program steps.

Programming an EPROM with New Data

You will need either a MASTER EPROM (usually labeled MASTER) or a HEX file that is a copy of a MASTER

EPROM. The MASTER contains the program code that makes the RTU operate. The MASTER also contains

generic configuration data that usually is not suitable for a specific RTU.

You will need a HEX file containing the compiled form of the Configuration (CFGxxx.ASM) and optionally the

Control Blocks (CBxxx.ASM) of a specific RTU. The file names usually identify which RTU.

To make a new EPROM, it is necessary to read a MASTER into the EPROM programmer’s memory, and then

overwrite the configuration data with the configuration of a specific RTU. The MASTER provides the program

code. The RTU HEX file provides the configuration.

NOTE: When programming an EPROM you can choose to either read from a MASTER EPROM or from a MASTER

HEX file but not both.

Read the MASTER EPROM

1. Click [Device(D)] on the menu bar and then click [Read...(R)]. The Chip Read window shows the correct

position of the EPROM in the 40-pin socket.

2. Insert the MASTER EPROM into the socket and latch it.

3. Click [Read]. If you see an “ID Error” message, click [Cancel] to return to the main window and uncheck

the “Check ID” box in the lower left. Repeat the above steps.

4. When the data is read correctly, click [Cancel].


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5. Unlatch and remove the MASTER EPROM.

Read a MASTER HEX File

1. Click [File(F)] on the menu bar and then click [Open(O)]. In the Open window, use normal Windows

methods to select and highlight the disk, folder, and Master HEX file and then click [Open].

2. In File Load Options box, select the file format: INTEL HEX.

3. Click [OK].

Read an RTU Configuration File

1. Click [File(F)] on the menu bar and then click [Open(O)]. In the Open window, use normal Windows

methods to select and highlight the disk, folder, and RTU specific HEX file and then click [Open].

2. In File Load Options box, select the file format: INTEL HEX.

3. In the “Clear Buffer when loading file” box, click the arrow and select “Disable”.

IMPORTANT: If this is not done, the Master data will be erased when the RTU file is read.

4. Click [OK].

Program a Blank EPROM

1. The EPROM programmer memory now contains the Master data combined with the RTU configuration

data.

2. Click [Device(D)] on the menu bar.

3. Click [Blank Check(B)]. The Chip Blank window shows the correct position of the EPROM in the 40-pin

socket.

4. Insert a blank EPROM into the socket and latch it.

5. Click [Blank]. The message should say the chip is blank.

If the message says “Not Empty” the EPROM is not blank. Try another.

6. Click [Cancel] to return to the main window.

7. With a blank EPROM in the socket, click [Device(D)] and then click [Program(P)]. The Chip window

shows the correct position of the EPROM in the 40-pin socket.


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8. Click [Program(P)]. After a short time the message should say “Programming successful”. Click [Cancel].

9. The EPROM now contains the Master data combined with the RTU configuration data.

Documents

02/23/18 B MiniPro TL866 EPROM Programmer...MiniPro TL866 EPROM Programmer Software Installation on the PC NOTE: It may be necessary to have Administrator privileges to install the