Programmer Firmware - how to program programmers uC?

[hahalcs]

Programmer Firmware

Hi all, I came across few programmer schematics and noticed that the microcontroller used to store firmware is the same product as the microcontroller that is intended to programmer.

My question is, how are we going to do the 1st time programming to the firmware microcontroller?

Thank you.

 

[nandhu015]

Programmer Firmware

There are some programmers that dont use a micro. Parallel port or serial port can used to program a micro with some external components. For example look at pony prog. Or you may take help from any friend who has a programmer to program the said chip.
www.lancos.com

Nandhu

 

[neazoi]

Re: Programmer Firmware

Why do some programmers use firmware and some others don't?
What are the pros and cons?

 

[ctownsend]

When the programmer uses a micro controller, the micro controller handles communication with the slave device.
This way is more reliable in terms of communication errors in comparison to using a port on a PC.

Depending on the protocol used in programming the device, most times it is necessary to use a micro controller in the programmer.
For example, the Atmel AT89S52 requires a MASTER SPI interface as the programmer which is not available in a USB port, but can be
adapted with a parallel or serial port without the need for another micro controller.