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Contents

1 Installing

Installing PonyProg depend on the system you have.
With Windows95/98/ME or NT/2000 just run the Setup.exe and follow the instructions.

With RedHat Linux 6.2/7.0 login as root and execute the command
# tar xvfzP ponyprog-X.XXX.tar.gz
# chmod +s /usr/local/bin/ponyprog2000 (optional)

If you want to use parallel port interfaces without run PonyProg as root you need also a 2.4.x kernel and parport, parport_pc and ppdev kernel modules. insmod all three modules before to execute PonyProg.
If you want to use serial port interfaces be sure you have the rights to read/write the /dev/ttySx devices and /var/lock directory. With RedHat you may want to add your user to uucp group.

The first time you run the program remember to select the interface and port you use with the Setup. If the program report a message like "The interface don't respond" when started, it means that you not have configured the port properly, or the interface is not connected.
You need also to run Calibration in most cases.

2 Menu commands

The following is an explanation of each menu command.

2.1 File

2.1.1 New Window

Open a new window, each window display a buffer for the device selected.

2.1.2 Open Device File

Open a file by name, and read its content in the current window. You can select the file to open through a dialog or drag and drop the file to open over the PonyProg window. PonyProg recognize several different types of file format: e2p, intel hex, motorola S-record and raw binary. If the selected file doesn't seem to be a e2p, it tries to open the file as intel hex; if this operation fails, then it tries to open the file as S-Rec; if also this operation fails, then it opens the file as binary. If the file has e2p format, you don't need to worry about the device type currently selected, otherwise you first have to select the correct device type, then load the file. In case of splitted Program/Data device like AVR and PIC the content of the data eeprom will be displayed after the content of the program flash memory in the current window with a different color.

2.1.3 Open Program (FLASH) File

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command Open a file by name and load only the program memory. You can select the file to open through a dialog. The file to load may have one of these format: intel-hex, motorola S-record or raw binary.

2.1.4 Open Data (EEPROM) File

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command Open a file by name and load only the data memory. You can select the file to open through a dialog. The file to load may have one of these format: intel-hex, motorola S-record or raw binary.

2.1.5 Save Device File

Save the content of current window buffer to a file. If no name has been specified it works like Save as.

2.1.6 Save Device File As

Open a dialog box where you can specify the name of the file. In the bottom of the dialog box you can select the file format for the file to save (indicated by the extension). If you press OK the content of the current window will be saved in the file specified. I suggest to save always in e2p format, doing so the device type and the notes will be recorded in the file. The .bin format is raw binary format, it's commonly used to export the file to other programs.

2.1.7 Save Program (FLASH) File

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command save the content of current window buffer program memory to a file. A dialog box asks you the name of the file to save and the file format by selecting the extension.

2.1.8 Save Data (EEPROM) File

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command save the content of current window buffer data memory to a file. A dialog box asks you the name of the file to save and the file format by selecting the extension.

2.1.9 Reload Files

This command reload last opened files in the current window buffer. It's useful when you need to edit/build the files from an external program (assembler/compiler) and you need to repeat the same cycle: compile - load file - write device more than one time.

2.1.10 Print

Open a dialog box where you can select the printer name and options. If you press OK the content of the current window will be printed.

2.1.11 Close

Close the current window, if there is only one opened window a dialog window asks you if you want to exit; you can choose Yes or No. If the current window buffer is modified a dialog window asks you if you want to save the content in a file before to close the window.

2.1.12 Exit

Close all the opened window and exit the program. If there is a modified window buffer a dialog window asks you if you want to save the content to a file before to close the window.

2.2 Edit

2.2.1 Edit note

Open a dialog box where you can edit a Chip id and a note. These two fields are saved within the window buffer if you use the e2p file format (see Open). These two fields are free text editing, and are useful for a description of the device programmed and the meaning of its content.

2.2.2 Security Bits

Open a dialog box where you can edit a device specific Configuration and Security bits. This dialog is especially useful for microcontrollers, because they could not work at all without set these bits in a correct way. The following screen dumps show the configuration bits for some microcontroller families. Note that disabled bits (grayed) are not used or not modificable.

AVR AT90S4433 Security and Fuse bits

PIC 16F84

• CP: if checked all memory is code protected
• PWRTE: if checked power-up timer is enabled
• WDTE: if checked watchdog timer is disabled
• FOSC1,FOSC0: oscillator selection bits
  

  FOSC1	FOSC0	Status
  not checked	not checked	RC resistor/capacitor oscillator
  not checked	checked	HS high speed crystal/resonator oscillator
  checked	not checked	XT crystal/resonator oscillator
  checked	checked	LP low power oscillator

  
  

AT89S8252

Microchp 24C65

The dialog ask you to insert the first block and the number of blocks to lock. When the device is locked you can't do a "write security" or a "write high endurance" anymore. To lock the device the number of blocks must be greater than 0.

2.2.3 Edit buffer enabled

You can toggle this item either to enable or disable the edit mode. If the edit mode is enabled you can modify the buffer content by clicking on a location of the current window. Two editing modes are available: hexadecimal editing and text editing. If you click on the HEX (center) part of the screen or press ENTER you open a dialog where you can insert the new value for that byte in decimal, hexadecimal, or character. If you click on the ASCII (right magenta) part of the screen you open a dialog where you can insert or modify a text starting from that location. You can CUT & PASTE in the text entry dialog by the use of the right mouse button. Note that you can enable/disable only the edit mode of the current window, so if there are more than one buffer window opened, the edit mode of other windows are left unchanged.

2.3 Device

Select the type of current device. You have to select the device type before any commands (read, writing, open, save, ...). Selecting an "Auto XXX"  type means that the device type is determined by the program during the read or write operation, this feature is useful when you need to query a device to know if it works and which device it is. There are some different device family: the I²C Bus eeproms that are addressed with 8 bit word, the I²C Bus eeproms that are addressed with 16 bit word, the Microwire eeproms with 8 bit organization, the Microwire eeproms with 16 bit organization, the SPI eeproms, the AVR microcontrollers, the PIC 16 microcontrollers, the IMBus eeproms and SDE2506 eeprom. You can select the device family in the tool bar with the combo-box, or directly the device type in the menu. The current device type is stored in the .INI file, so the next time you run the program it's recalled. To read and write I²C Bus eeproms other than 24xx (i.e. the SDE2526, SDA2546, SDA2586, SDA3546, SDA3586) select the type "24XX Auto".
The 24C01 can be readed but not writed, you can read it as a 2402 or 24XX Auto device. Note that you can often replace a 24C01 eeprom with a new 24C02 eeprom, because it's fully compatible to the 24C01.
Several microwire eeproms support two types of word organization: 16 bit organization and 8 bit organization. The organization is selected with a pin connected to VCC or GND. SI-Prog adapter connect this pin for 16 bit organization, however some devices support only 8 bit organization.

2.4 Command

2.4.1 Read All

Read the content of a device in the current window buffer.  This operation can take a while to execute, so a dialog box shows the operation progression. If you want to stop the current read just press the "Abort" button.
Finally a dialog box showing the result of the operation appears.
If the program report the message "Device not responding" means that you missed to connect the device to read, or the interface is not configured properly (see the Setup). Note that only the devices that support probing report this type of message, other device simply read all 0's of FF's (if the device is missed). The devices that support probing are the 24XX, the AVR and some PIC. In the case of AVR device selected, the program can report the message "Device locked" in case of the locked bits was programmed. Even some preproduction devices don't support auto probing. You can't read a locked device, to program it see Write.
Since version 1.15c if you select an AVR device (AT90S2313 for example) and read it, the program try to probe the device first. If the device is missing, or the device is locked, or the device is a preproduction device a dialog box appears. It asks you if you want to abort operation, retry or ignore the error. In case of a preproduction device just select "Ignore".

2.4.2 Read Program (FLASH)

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command read only the program memory from the device, and leave the data memory intact.

2.4.3 Read Data (EEPROM)

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command read only the data memory from the device, and leave the program memory intact.

2.4.4 Read Security and Configuration bits

Read security and configuration bits from the device. Note that this command is implemented only for some devices. To modify the security and configuration bits refer to edit command.

2.4.5 Write All

Write the content of the current window buffer to a device. A dialog box ask you to confirm this unrecoverable operation. This operation can take a while to execute, so a dialog box shows the operation progression. If you want to stop the current write just press the "Abort" button. After the write operation an automatic verify is executed. Finally a dialog box showing the result of the operation appears.
Before to perform a write I suggest to select the exact device type, not the "24XX Auto" or "AVR Auto".
Note that both the program (FLASH) and data (EEPROM) memory are writed (only if the device is a splitted device like the AVR or PIC), and then verified.
Since the version 1.15c a probe is performed on every AVR device (see Read).

2.4.6 Write Program (FLASH)

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command write only the program memory to the device, and leave the data memory intact. The exception is the AVR device: to write the program memory an erase is needed, so the data memory is erased too.

2.4.7 Write Data (EEPROM)

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command write only the data memory to the device, and leave the program memory intact.

2.4.8 Write Security and Configuration bits

Write security and configuration bits to the device. Note that this command is implemented only for some devices. To modify the security and configuration bits refer to edit command.

2.4.9 Verify All

Verify the content of a device, compares it to the content of  the current window buffer.  This operation can take a while to execute, so a dialog box shows the operation progression. If you want to stop the verify just press the "Abort" button. Finally a dialog box showing the result of the operation appears.

2.4.10 Verify Program (FLASH)

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command verify only the program memory from the device, and ignore the data memory.

2.4.11 Verify Data (EEPROM)

This command is available only for splitted Program/Data devices. The buffer is splitted in two different part for these devices: the first part for program memory and the second part for data memory. This command verify only the data memory from the device, and ignore the program memory.

2.4.12 Erase

Erase all the content of a device to FF's (both program and data memory). Note that this command is implemented only for AVR and PIC devices.

2.4.13 GetInfo

Shows some informations about the device. Some of these informations are showed also in the status bar at the bottom of the main window.

• Size of the buffer, it's equal to the size of the device in bytes. In the case of AVR or PIC devices, it's equal to the sum of the program memory size plus the data memory size.
• CRC calculated on the content of the buffer.
• Bank roll over. It's a characteristic of some old I²C Bus eeprom (24XX). In some case uou can't replace a "roll-over eeprom" with a "no roll-over eeprom".
• Security and High endurance block. The Microchip 24C65 has a feature to protect some block from writing, or enable some block to have 10 milions writing cycles. (see edit to change it).

2.4.14 Reset

Reset the device. It's useful with in-system applications.

2.4.15 Program

Execute a customizable sequence of commands. You can select the commands to execute with program options

2.4.16 Program Options

Select the commands to execute with the Program command.

2.5 Utility

2.5.1 Clear Buffer

Clear the current window buffer with FF's.

2.5.2 Fill Buffer

Fill the current window buffer with a character. A dialog box asks you to select the addresses fo fill (from - to locations), and the value of the character to fill. You can insert the value either in decimal (i.e. 45), hexadecimal (i.e. 0x45) or octal (i.e. 045) base.

2.5.3 Double bank

This command duplicates every bank in the current buffer and changes the device type to a bigger device type. A bank is a cluster of 256 bytes for the 24xx and a word for other devices. This utility is useful to replace a SDA2546 device with a 24C08 or a SDA2586 with a 24C16. Example: you have to select the device type "24xx Auto", connect the SDA2546 device and perform a Read operation. Then you have to perform a "Double bank", replace the SDA2546 with a blank 24C08 and perform a Write operation (Refer also to I2CBus adapter).

2.5.4 Byte swap

This command swap bytes within every word in the current window buffer. It's useful to convert from little endian representation to big endiand and viceversa. Some devices uses 16bit word so you can represent it in both ways depending on your needs.
For example consider the number 1234 hex (4660 decimal), the little endian is 34 - 12, while the big endiand is 12 - 34.

2.5.5 Set Serial Number

This command set the serial number in the configured locations of the current window buffer. You can configure the serial number location, value and size with the serial number config command. Every time you execute this command the value is incremented.

2.5.6 Serial Number Config

This command open a dialog box where you can configure the serial number locations, value, format and size.

2.6 Setup

2.6.1 Interface Setup

Open a dialog box where you can select the interface type and the port number where the hardware is connected. You can choose from several hardware interfaces (see PonyProg Hardware interfaces for more info). Note that only SI Prog support all devices.

• SI-Prog interface select "serial" check-box and choose "SI-Prog API" or  "SI-Prog I/O" in the combo-box. Windows 95/98/ME and NT/2000 work either with "PonyProg API" and "PonyProg I/O", but the latter is faster. To use the "SI-Prog I/O" with Linux you need to run PonyProg as root. Then select the COM port you want to use, if some COM ports are disabled it means that they are used by other programs (usually by the mouse driver or modem), or not installed.
• AVR ISP Parallel port interface select "parallel" check-box and choose "Avr ISP API" or "Avr ISP I/O" in the combo-box. WindowsNT/2000 work only with "Avr ISP I/O". To use the "Avr ISP I/O" with Linux you need to run PonyProg as root. Then select the LPT port you want to use. Note that if you want to program the AT89Sxx device you need to select the "Invert Reset" check-box. To use this interface with Linux you need a 2.4.x kernel and parport, parport_pc and ppdev kernel modules.
  You can use this interface to read/write the AVR micros and SPI eeproms.
• Ludipipo/JDM interface select "JDM API" or "JDM I/O". Then select the COM port you use. All the considerations for "SI-Prog" interface above are valid for JDM too. You can use this interface to read/write the PIC16x84 and 24Cxx eeproms. If you want to use JDM interface to program 24Cxx devices you have to connect pin 7 of the 24Cxx to GND (schematics are wrong).
  
• Easy I²CBus interface select the "parallel" check-box, then select the LPT port you want to use. All the considerations for "Avr ISP" abore are valid for "EasyI2CBus" too.
• DT-006 interface This are the simplest interface for AVR programming (you can find the board on Dontronics site). However I strongly suggest to use the buffered and safer "Avr ISP" interface above, especially for ISP, since the buffer go in Hi-Z state after programming.

2.6.2 Calibration

Calibration tunes the serial bus speed for your computer. When you run Calibration be sure that PonyProg is the only program running in the PC, and the hard disk is idle (look at the HD led). If your PC is busy because it's performing other tasks the Calibration thinks your PC is slower than actual speed, and all I/Os are performed without proper delay.
After the Calibration you can choose the speed for every serial bus modifying the following parameters in the ponyprog.ini (.PonyProgrc under Linux) file:

• I2CBusSpeed=NORMAL    affect 24Cxx eeprom and other I²CBus devices
• SPIBusSpeed=NORMAL    affect AVR micro, AT89Sxx micro and 25xxx eeprom
• MicroWireBusSpeed=NORMAL    affect 93Cxx eeprom
• PICBusSpeed=NORMAL    affect PIC16x84 micro
• SDEBusSpeed=NORMAL    affect SDE2506 eeprom

Every parameter can be assigned the value SLOW, NORMAL, FAST or TURBO.
Avoid to use the TURBO value because it means "no delay", and probably it doesn't work on your PC, especially with the I/O driver.
Just for example my PC (Pentium MMX 200MHz) run I²CBus at about 80Khz with NORMAL, and 110 Khz with FAST. Note that a lot of I²CBus devices don't work at speed above the 100KHz.

3 Hardware interfaces

PonyProg supports several hardware interfaces, however note that only with SI-Prog interface you are able to program all the devices.
Next paragraphs show to you all the hardware interfaces in detail.

3.1 SI-Prog

3.1.1 The main board

Connect the DB9 connector to PC COM port using standard serial cable.
Connect J2 connector to the correct adapter observing polarity (look at pin 1 and pin 10).

3.1.2 I²CBus (2-wire) eeprom adapter

This adapter is needed to program all I²CBus devices: 24C02, 24C04, 24C08, 24C16, 24C32, 24C64, 24C128, 24C256, 24C512, PCF858x and SDA2526, SDA2546, SDA2586 eeproms. Connect the adapter to main board observing polarity. Insert the eeprom in the socket with the signature: 24xx (A0). If you need to access a 24xx eeprom with SMT case (SO8) place the device with every pin exactly on the corrisponding pad and press to make the contact good during the read/write operation.
Some devices mount two 24Cxx eeproms at different address and access them as a large single eeprom. You can achieve this with the two sockets A0 and A2. For example if you insert two 24C02 eeproms, select the "24XX Auto" device and perform a read. PonyProg detect a 24C04 eeprom and the content is the sum of the two 24C02 eeproms.

Some eeproms (especially old SDE and SDA eeproms) need external power for a correct programming.
To use external power you need to connect a 9V battery to J9 and move JP2 to "ext" position.

3.1.3 Microwire (3-wire) eeprom adapter

This adapter is needed to program the Microwire devices: 93C06, 93C46, 93C56, 93C66, 93C76, 93C86 eeproms. Connect the adapter to main board observing polarity. Insert the eeprom in the socket with the signature: 93Cx6 or 93Cx6X depending on the exact device model. Note that some devices support only 8 bit organization, look at the following table to know what socket to use and menu device to select.

Microchip Microwire (3-wire) Serial eeprom

(*) If you experiment problems during the “write” operation, use the “Ext” power. “Int” power may not work on some PC, it depends on how much current is capable your PC COM port. If you don't use the LM2936Z-5 use the “Ext” power with ALL devices.

Atmel Microwire (3-wire) Serial eeprom

(*) If you experiment problems during the “write” operation, use the “Ext” power. “Int” power may not work on some PC, it depends on how much current is capable your PC COM port. If you don't use the LM2936Z-5 use the “Ext” power with ALL devices.

To use external power you need to connect a 9V battery to J9 and move JP2 to "ext" position.

3.1.8 PIC micro adapter

This adapter is needed to program the Microchip PIC microcontrollers: PIC16F84, PIC16F84A, PIC16F87x, PIC12C50x. Connect the adapter to main board observing polarity. Insert the PIC in the correct socket (look at the text in silkscreen on the PCB). Pay attention to polarity (pin 1).
To program PIC16F84, PIC16F84A and PIC16F87x you need a 9V battery connected to BT1, the JP2 on "Int" position, and the JP1 on "Bat" position. If your COM port can't provide enaugh current you have to provide an external power: connect a stabilized +15 Volt D.C. to J9 (pay attention to the polarity), move JP2 on "Ext" position and JP1 on "Ext" position.
To program PIC12C50x you need a stabilized +13 Volt D.C. to J9 and move JP2 on "Ext" position and JP1 on "Ext" position.

3.1.9 Jumper setting summary

Version 2.2 of PDF schematic

3.1.10 Serial cable

To use PonyProg you need a serial cable DB9 Female to DB9 Male with ALL pins connected in the following way:

It's sometime called "modem cable", however check that all pins are connected. Avoid to use "null modem cable"s.

3.1.11 Electric schematic

Version 2.2 of PDF schematic

3.1.12 Mounting plan

Version 2.2 of PDF mounting plan

4 F.A.Q.

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AVR questions
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Q: I can't program ATmega, I always got "Write failed message".
Q: I can't program AVR AT90Sxxx, I receive error -21 and the program fails. What is the problem?

A: Increase the following parameters in the ponyprog.ini file (all times are in milliseconds)

   AVRByteWriteDelay=30         'Delay to complete the write of a single word
   AVREraseDelay=100            'Delay to complete the erase of all the memory

   In case of ATmega increase also the following parameter:
   ATMegaPageWriteDelay=50      'Delay to complete the write of a page of flash memory

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Q: I can't read or write AT90S1200 device. I receive the error message:
   "Device missing or unknown device -24"

A: Select "Ignore" button, if the final message is "Write succesful" you have a sample that
   doesn't reply to the identify command. It seems that early devices don't reply to this command.

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Q: I need to program the AVR mounted on the target circuit (In system programming), but PonyProg
   fails to program because an external reset circuit hold the reset line low for a long time.

A: Try to play with the following parameters in the INI file, it should solve the problem (all the
times are in milliseconds)

  SPIResetPulse=100        'How long is the reset pulse generated by PonyProg
  SPIDelayAfterReset=50    'How many milliseconds PonyProg waits after the reset pulse


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Other questions
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Q: What type of cable I should use to connect SI-Prog to the COM port?

A: You must use "straight through" cable with all 9 pins connected.
   Don't use "null modem" cable. (look at 3.1.10)

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