Chapter 1 Summary

1.1 Main Functions

RF series USB General Programmer is mainly used to
write in programmable devices, including: EPROM,
FLASHROM, EEPROM, serial EEPROM, Programmable Logic
Device(PLD), and Micro Process Unit(MPU). Besides, it
could be used to implement function testing, unknown
model identifying for some common devices, mostly for
TTL74/75 series, CMOS40/45 series, SRAM and some
interface devices.
Besides above-mentioned functions, Programmer of RF-
3148USB, RF-2148USB, RF-1800miniUSB type could be used to
directly read GAL16V8/A/B, 20V8/A/B, PALCE16V8H, 20V8H.
Automatic conversion function from JEDEC to logic
expression is available.

1.2 Software Features

The Windows version software of RF series Programmer
is of bilingual mode in Chinese & English. When Chinese
mode is selected, all the work options, running status,
running results will be displayed in Chinese.
Common works could be selected conveniently by click
on icons.
In the Windows version software of RF series
Programmer, explanation of every mouse-pointed operation,
supposed to be helpful for the beginners, could be found
in the status bar of Chinese notes.
1.3 Hardware & software composition
Hardware of RF—3148USB, RF—1800miniUSB, RF—910USB
Programmer consists of main frame, USB link cable, USB
power cable.
Hardware of RF—2148USB Programmer consists of main
frame, power supply, link cable.
Software of Windows version is in a compact disc.
Chinese Manual, product warranty card are also
available.

NOTICE
When purchasing RF series Programmer,
please assure the warranty card be
available. Filling out and mailing the
return coupon to our company will be
helpful for guarantee and other after-
sale services.

1.4 Supporting environment

Windows version software of RF series Programmer could
be used for any desktop or laptop PC in which operation
system Win98/ME/2000/NT/XP could run normally.
 Chapter 2 Hardware & Software Setup

2.1 Hardware setup

2.1.1 Cable connection for Programmer RF—2148USB
Connect one end of USB cable to PC USB interface, the
other end to the Programmer mainframe. The programmer is
supplied power by external power supply. When turn on the
Programmer mainframe power switch, the indicator should
be on, indicating the power supply is normal.

2.1.2 For Programmer RF-3148USB, RF-1800miniUSB, RF-

910USB, there are two cable connection modes:
2.1.2.1 Power supplied by only USB, shown as below

USB1 USB

PC cautery power supply

USB2

Low power devices, such as USB mouse or

U disk
Or idle

In this mode, the programmer is supplied power by

only the mainframe USB interface, without any external
DC power supply. Since power capacity of USB interface is
limited (less than 500mA), for reliability reason, double
USB interfaces are used for power supply. In this mode,
USB1 is used for communicating with the programmer and
providing communication power supply, USB2 is used for
cautery power supply. For users’ convenience, low power
devices, such as USB mouse, U disk, are allowed to
connect with USB2 at the same time.

2.1.2.2 External cautery power supply mode. Shown as

below

Error: USB
Reference source not USB
found

PC cautery power
supply

power DC5V-12V/4W
supply

In this mode, communication power is supplied by

mainframe USB interface, cautery power is supplied by
external DC power supply (optional). The specification

of external DC power supply is DC5V—12V/4W （ Any of 5v,

6v, 7v, 8v, 9v, 10v, 11v, 12V is also acceptable）.

2.2 Software setup

2.2.1 Files in the Programmer setup software
The programmer setup software consists of two parts：
2.2.1.1 USB drive software: including two files:
RF???.INF and RF???.SYS.
2.2.1.2 Programmer operation installation software: only
one file: setup.exe.
Anyone of these two parts could be installed first,
but the operation software should not be run before the
installation completed. The installation procedures of
these two parts are different. Details see the
following steps. The programmer could be run normally
only when the installation procedures of both parts
 have been finished.

2.2.2 Installation of USB drive software

For this installation, there are two instances with a
little difference between them.
2.2.2.1 Initial installation of "device drive" program to
the object computer
(1) Connect two cables with the programmer power
off.
(2) Power on the programmer. The operation system
will give the message that a new hardware is
found, and require to install the device drive
program.
(3) Follow the wizard to install the USB drive
program named RF???.INF. (RF???.SYS will be
automatically processed by the operation system.
Normally manual intervention is not necessary)
2.2.2.2 Reinstall or upgrade "device drive" program
("device drive" program is not necessary to be
updated whenever software upgraded. If everything is
normal, only the "operation software" updating is
needed.)
If "device drive" program of the programmer has been
installed before, when power on the programmer, the
operation system will neither give the message of finding
a new hardware, nor require device drive program
installation. Modifying or upgrading of the "device
drive" program should be carried out by "control panel"
of operation system.
 (1) Connect 2 cables with the programmer power off.
Then power on the programmer.
(2) Access to the window of device manager by click
on START -> CONTROL PANEL -> SYSTEM -> DEVICE
MANAGER.
(3) In the window of "device manager", click on "+"
before relative items, find the device named RF???
and select it.
(4) Update this device drive program. (Note: Select
"specified location of the drive program" and
point to real RF???.INF drive program installation
file. Sometimes the operation system will
reinstall copy of the old drive program instead of
updating this device drive program. Details please
read the file "installation instruction.txt" in
the compact disc.

2.2.3 Installation of the programmer operation software

Installation of the operation software is easier.
Just run "setup.exe" and follow the displayed messages
until finish.
To upgrade the operation software, just perform new
installation. It is not necessary to uninstall the old
software.

2.2.4 Software uninstalling

Uninstall only the operation software with the
"device drive" program kept. It will be performed by
"control panel" of the operation system.
 Chapter 3 Main Menu & Main Functions

After hardware and software setup, click on the RF

Programmer icon on the desktop, main menu will be
displayed as below.
3.1 Main menu introduction

3.1.1 Function items in menu bar

Click on function items in menu bar, corresponding
pull-down menu will popup. Operations of the function
item could be found in the pull-down menu.

3.1.2 Toolbar
For user’s convenience, some frequently used
operations in the pull-down menu are arranged in the
toolbar as icons. To perform an operation, just click on
the right icon directly. The tool icons are dynamic. If
one icon turns grey, the function is not available for
selected device.

3.1.3 Work zone

When operations are been doing, all the edit, dialog,
view, run and finish messages are all displayed in the
work zone.

3.1.4 Message column

In the message column, displays relative current
messages, for example, loaded file name, brand and type
of current selected device, accumulative checksum of data
in buffer, programming voltage and adaptor type of
current selected device, start and end addresses of
current buffer, start and end addresses of current
device, programming mode of EPROM device.

3.1.5 Prompt case

 When the mouse points at an operation, the followed
prompt case will give interpretative messages.

3.2 File function item

Click on File item in the menu, pull-down menu of File
function will popup, including three operations: load
file, save file, exit.

3.2.1 Load file

This operation is to load file from disk to buffer
for programming, modifying and viewing. Load File could
be operated after chip type selected.
Click on Load File, pops up menu of file format
selection with seven options: Binary, Intel Hex, Motorola
Hex, EMC CDS, Holtek OTP, POF, JEDEC, in which JEDEC is
only for logic array device.
Click on the needed format, pops up window of load
start address and load mode selection as below.

In this window, need to fill in two start addresses

(default as 000000, not necessary to change normally) and
select file load mode (default as Normal), then click on
OK.
When loading file, file data started from “File
Start” will be loaded into buffer started from “buf
start”.
Then the following window “Load File” pops up:

Select needed file name, click on “open” (if could

not find the file, try to change file type).
When the file has been loaded into buffer, based on
start address and length of the file, by calculation,
computer will work out memory location of the file and
give a message.
Click on “OK” to close the message box, operation of
Load File is finished. Loaded file name will be shown in
the message column.

Note
For JEDEC file, start address
and load mode is not needed.
3.2.2 Save file
This operation is to save buffer data as disk file.
Click on Save File, pops up window of start & end
addresses of buffer to be saved and save format
selection, shown as below.
In this window, need to fill in start & end addresses
of buffer to be saved. Default start address is 000000,
end address is the start address + capacity of current
device, not necessary to change normally. After select
file save mode, click on OK.

Then the window of Save File pops up as below:

In this window, after select the needed directory and file name to save, click on “save”,

operation of Save File is finished.

 Note
To save JEDEC file, start & end addresses
and file format is not needed.

3.2.3 Exit
Click on “exit”, system will exit the menu.

3.3 Edit function item

Click on Edit item in the menu, pull-down menu of Edit
function will popup, including four operations: edit
buffer, fill buffer, clear buffer, change address.

3.3.1 Edit buffer

This operation is to modify and view buffer.
Click on Edit Buffer, pops up the window of Buffer
Edit, shown as below.
ADDRESS HEX EDIT AREA ASCII EDIT
AREA

At first, select the edit area between All Buffer and

Chip Size.
3.3.1.1 Modify unit by unit
Point the cursor to the position to be modified
(including HEX area and ASCII area), click on left key

of mouse ， the cursor twinkles. At this position, HEX

number or ASCII character could be input by keyboard.
3.3.1.2 Edit function menu
In the edit window, click on right key of mouse,
pops up Edit Function Menu with multi-options.
3.3.1.3 Block modification of specified area
Point the cursor to start position of specified
area (HEX area), keep pressing left key of mouse, drag
to end position of specified area, release left key,
then the selected area will be highlighted.
Alternatively, click on right key of mouse, select
specified area by option Select Block. When the area
specified, click on right key of mouse, pops up options
of Cut, Copy, Delete, Paste, and Fill, which could be
used to perform block modification of specified area.

3.3.2 Fill buffer

This operation is to fill the entire buffer with HEX
number FFH.

3.3.3 Clear buffer

This operation is to fill the entire buffer with HEX
number 00H.
3.3.4 Change address
This operation is to set start & end addresses of
buffer and start address of the device. Default start &
end addresses of buffer are 000000 and 0FFFFF
respectively, default start address of the device is
000000, not necessary to change normally.

3.4 Device function item

Click on Device item in the menu, pops up a pull-down
menu, including device selection operation. Click on
Select Device, pops up the window of Select, shown as
below:

At first, select and click before needed type among

options EPROM, SPROM, EEPROM, PLD, and MPU/MCU.
 Then select the vendor. In the vendor column, find
the right vendor and click.
The next step is to select the device. In the device
column, find the right type and click.
When these steps finished, click on OK to exit Device
Selection. The selected device type, as well as relative
information, will be shown as current type in message
column of main menu.

3.5 Runfunc function item

Click on Runfunc item in the menu, pops up a pull-down
menu of programming function with different options
depending on different selected current device types,
including auto, erase, blank, program, read, verify,
compare, ID code, configuration, display, encryption,
lock, change algorithm, etc.

3.5.1 Erase
This operation is to delete content of electrical
erasable device to blank it.
Click on Erase, pops up the window of Erase. Mount the
device to be erased correctly, click on OK to start erase
operation.

3.5.2 Blank
This operation is to check if the device is blank.
Click on Blank option, pops up the window of Blank
Check. Mount the device to be checked correctly, click on
OK to start blank checking. If the device is blank, gives
the message “Blank check complete”, or else gives the
message “Error at ××××××H!” (××××××H is address of the
first error unit).

3.5.3 Verify
This operation is to verify if content of the device
is identical with that of the buffer.
Click on Verify option, pops up the window of Verify.
Mount the device to be verified correctly, click on OK to
start. If no error found, gives the message “Verify
complete!”, or else gives the message “Error at ××××××H!
Device: ×× Buffer: ××” (××××××H is address of the first
error unit, Device: ×× Buffer: ×× represents content of
device and of buffer at this address respectively).

3.5.4 Compare
The operation is to compare content of the device with
that of the buffer unit by unit, and display all the
different units.
Click on Compare option, pops up the window of
Compare. Mount the device to be compared correctly, click
on OK to start. If no difference, gives the message
“Compare complete!”, or else pops up the window of
Compare Device, as shown below, displays all the error
units.
In this window, correct data in buffer and error in
the chip will be displayed alternatively, and marked in
red and blue color respectively. Data in red show error
in the chip, data in blue are correct data in buffer,
other data in grey represent identical comparing results.
Fixed mode as “buffer” or “chip” could be selected, to
display “correct data in buffer” or “error in the chip”.
Here the error data will still be marked in red and blue
color respectively.
3.5.5 Read
This operation is to read content of the device into
buffer.
Click on Read option, pops up the window of Read.
Mount the device to be read correctly, click on OK to
start.

Note
If read content is important, when reading is
finished, suggest exit the window of Read, verify
read data by Verify function to ensure read data
be correct.

3.5.6 Display
 This operation is to display content of the device on
screen for viewing. Click on Display option, pops up the
window of Display Device, shown as below.

Drag the vertical scroll bar to view the display up

and down.

Note
The displayed device content is
just shown on the screen, not in
buffer.

3.5.7 Encryption
This operation is for some devices to set and write in
internal cryptogram section (e.g. 87C51).
 Click on Encryption option, pops up the window of
Encryption, shown as below:

Edit method of encryption is the same with that of

buffer.
Click on Save to save edited encryption.
Click on Load to load disk file into encryption edit
section.
Click on Program to write the encryption into the
device.
Click on OK to save content of encryption edit
section in cryptogram memory section of buffer, and exit
the window.
Click on Cancel will cancel current operation and
exit. Cryptogram memory section of buffer will be
restored to the content before entering the window.

3.5.8 Configuration
This operation is for some devices to set, write in
and read out content of internal configuration memory
(e.g. PIC16C54).
 Click on Configuration option, pops up the window of
Configuration, with different interfaces depending on
device types. Here PIC16C54 is given as an example, shown
as below:

Configuration parameters could be set in the

configuration window.
Click on Program will write set configuration in the
device (only configuration, not program block).
Click on Read will read out content of configuration
memory of the device.
Click on Save Exit will save set configuration and
exit.
Click on Exit will give up set configuration and exit.
Configuration is restored to that before setting.

3.5.9 ID code
This operation is for some devices to set, write in
and read out content of internal ID code (production
code) memory.
Click on Program will write ID code in the device.
Click on Read will load ID code from the device.
Click on Exit will save current ID code and exit.

3.5.10 Security
This operation is to set read/write prohibition （ i.e.
protection） for content in internal memory of single chip
device. For some devices, this memory protection is
implemented in Configuration.
Click on Security option, pops up the window of
Security. Set protection level in the window.
Click on OK to start.

3.5.11 Auto
This operation will automatically carry out (erase),
blank, program, verify, (encryption), (ID code),
(configuration), (security) in sequence, to finish all
writing process for the device.
Note: operations in brackets are available only for devices with corresponding functions.
Click on Auto option, pops up the window of Auto
program, taking AT89C51 as an example, shown as below:
Mount the device to be programmed correctly, select
needed lock bits.
Click on OK to start auto program. The display will
give messages of current operation and progress. The next
operation will be run automatically once the previous one
is done until all completed. If one operation fails,
error message will be displayed, the next operation will
be stopped.
3.5.12 Program
This operation is used for writing and verifying only
main memory section of the device, neither for editing
other auxiliary units (e.g. encryption array,
configuration character, ID code), nor for device blank
checking or erasing before writing.
Click on Program option, pops up the window of
Program. Mount the device to be programmed correctly,
click on OK to start programming. The display will give
progress messages. When programming is done, verifying
will be run automatically. If one operation fails, error
messages will be displayed.

3.5.13 Change algorithm

This operation is for EPROM device only. Normally
when vendor and type of the device are confirmed, the
algorithm will be fixed automatically, not necessary to
modify. In some cases, if the algorithm needs to be
changed, this operation could be used.
Click on Change Algorithm option, pops up the window
of Change Algorithm, shown as below.

Select needed algorithm in the window, click on OK to

exit.

NOTE
For EPROM devices programming voltage
unknown, when select algorithm,
recommend to try from low voltage.

3.6 Test function item

Click on Test item in the menu, pops up a pull-down
menu of test function, including Logic IC Test, Static
RAM Test, Peripheral IC Test, etc.
3.6.1 Logic IC Test
This operation is to test IC of TTL74/54 series,
CMOS40/45 series, and search for unknown IC model of
these series.
Click on Logic IC Test option, pops up the window of
Logic ICs Test, shown as below.

At first, select device series to be tested. Select

the right series in the IC series column and click.
Then select the chip. In the chip column, find the
right chip type and click.
Now mount the device to be tested correctly, click on
Test to perform single test. Test result will be
displayed when test finished. Click on Looptest to
perform multiple tests. Click on Cancel to stop looptest.
When search for unknown type, click on Search
respectively by selecting device series as TTL74,
CMOS4000, CMOS4500 in sequence. If matched types are
found, displays the one or more relative types.
Searching for unknown type could not be performed of
multi-series.
If multiple matched types are found, means these types
of devices are of same logic functions, yet circuit
characters could be different.

3.6.2 Static RAM test

This operation is to test common SRAM 6116, 6264,
62256, 628128, 628512 and their compatible types of
devices.
Click on Static RAM Test option, pops up the window of
Static RAM Test, shown as below.

At first, select device type to be tested. Find the

right type and click.
Mount the device to be tested correctly, click on Test
to perform single test. Test result will be displayed
when test finished. Click on Loop Test to perform
multiple tests. Click on Cancel to stop loop test.

3.6.3 Peripheral IC Test

This operation is to test common I/O chips 8155, 8255,
8253, 6821.
Click on Peripheral IC Test option, pops up the window
of IO Chips Test, shown as below.

At first, select chip type to be tested. Find the

right type and click.
Mount the device to be tested correctly, click on Test
to perform single test. Test result will be displayed
when test finished. Click on LoopTest to perform multiple
tests. Click on Cancel to stop loop test.
 Chapter 4 Other Function Item

（not for RF-910 user）

Other function item involves some additional
functions provided by RF series programmer, including
operations to convert JEDEC of 16V8, 20V8 into logic
expression, to read secured IC of GAL16V8/A/B,
GAL20V8/A/B, PALCE16V8H, PALCE20V8H, to secure
AT89C51/52/1051/2051 unrecoverable by RF2148 and RF3148.

4.1 JED to logic

This operation is to convert JEDEC of 16V8, 20V8,
22V10 to logic expression for analysis and modification.
Firstly select device type. Load the JEDEC file into
buffer, click on JED To Logic option, pops up the window
of JED To Logic, shown as below.

In which * is logic AND, + is logic OR, / is logic NO,

OXX.OE is output hi-impedance control, OXX is output of
flip-latch type.
Click on Save to save the logic expression as disk
file.

4.2 Read secured IC

This operation is to read out secured content of some
devices by special method.
At first, select device type to be read. Click on
Read Secured IC option, pops up the window of Read
Secured IC. Mount the device to be read correctly, click
on OK to start reading. If succeeds, gives message
“Complete! The IC data can be read out”. Otherwise gives
message of failure.

Note:
(1) For GAL device itself, it is still secured after
this reading operation. Its content has been read into
buffer.
(2) For PALCE16V8H/20V8H, at whiles, some times of
reading are needed (less than 10 times). After reading,
the device is unsecured. Its content could be loaded into
buffer by Read operation. It is recommended that, when
the first reading is finished, read its content and save,
then read again the unsecured device. Compare two reading
results. If they are the same, the result is correct.

4.3 Special protect (OTP)

This operation is to perform special processing for
microchip unit AT89C5X/X051, to enhance its security
degree.
Firstly select right type of the device to be
protected. Click on Special Protect option, pops up the
window of Special Protect.
Without adaptor: (not available for RF3148)
To perform OTP security for AT89C5X, adaptor is not
necessary. Place the programmed and 3-level secured chip
on lock seat of the programmer in reverse direction

(notch of chip away from the lock seat handle)， click on

OK to start.
Note: The chip must be 3-level secured!!! The OTP
secured chip could not be erased and modified again! OTP
secured chip will not kill data bus, have no influence on
extending function.
With adaptor:
If K51 security adaptor (optional) is used, it is
possible to perform OTP security for AT89C5X, as well as
to kill idle pins of data line P0.0—P0.7 of AT89C5X or
P1.2—P1.7 of AT89CX051, to enhance security degree.
Killed pins could not be used normally.
The way to use K51 security adaptor is to put it on
mainframe of the programmer. There are two kinds of
security operations:
(1) OTP security
This is applicable to only AT89C5X. Connect jumpers on
the circuit board of K51 adaptor according to software
prompts, place the programmed and 3-level secured chip on
lock seat of K51 adaptor normally, click on OK to start.
(2) Data line killing. Place the programmed chip
AT89C5X/X051 on lock seat of K51 adaptor normally, select
data line to be killed among P0.0—P0.7 of AT89C5X or P1.2
—P1.7 of AT89CX051 by jumpers according to software
prompts, click on OK to start.
 Chapter 5 Precaution

5.1 Before any operation, check if the device to be

programmed or tested has been placed on lock seat of
programmer correctly. The device is commonly placed as
below illustrated unless otherwise directed. Check if
selected device is of the same type with that on the
seat. Incorrect placement or type selection may cause
damage of the device and/or programmer.

5.2 It is not allowed to insert or draw the device in

process of operation; otherwise the device and/or
programmer will be damaged.

5.3 Before and after operation, it is allowed to insert

or draw the device, not necessary to power off the
programmer at this moment.

5.4 The programmer should be powered off while not in

use.
5.5 Clean up inside of lock seat of the programmer
mainframe, lest fault device writing occur caused by bad
contact due to dusty sediment.
 Introduction of User Vector Test Function

The user could define the test vector of a device to

test it.
In menu of Windows version software, click on Test. In
the popup pull-down menu, click on User Vector Test to
access interface of Vector Test.

A. Create a test vector table of the new device (74LS138

as an example)
1． Click on File, click on New, pops up the window of
Pin Selection. Since 74LS138 is of 16 pins, select
16Pin, click on OK.
2． Now the vector edit section appears. Edit the
test vector table according to need. Vector table of
74LS138 is as follows:

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 （pin
number）
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
V001 0 0 0 0 0 1 H G H H H H H H L E
V002 1 0 0 N N N H G H H H H H L H E
V003 0 1 0 N N N H G H H H H L H H E
V004 1 1 0 N N N H G H H H L H H H E
V005 0 0 1 N N N H G H H L H H H H E
V006 1 0 1 N N N H G H L H H H H H E
V007 0 1 1 N N N H G L H H H H H H E
V008 1 1 1 N N N L G H H H H H H H E

In which:
0 ： represents that the programmer supplies low voltage to
tested device
1 ： represents that the programmer supplies high voltage to
tested device
L：represents that the device outputs low voltage
H：represents that the device outputs low voltage
N：represents that keeps previous state
X：represents that this pin is not involved in the test
E：represents 5V power supply
G：represents earthing

3 ． Click on Edit to select tools such as Cut, Copy, Paste,

 Delete, Insert, and Append.
4 ． Click on File, select Save or Save As to save the edited
vector table as a file.

B. Test
1． When the test vector table is edited, place the device to
be tested on lock seat of programmer.
2． Click on Test or T to implement single test.
3． Click on Loop Test or L to implement continuous test.
4． If any error found during test, the error message window
will pop up to compare the vector table with test result.

C. Remarks
1． Not all pins could supply 5V electrical source (E) or
ground (G). If a pin is not able to be input E or G during
vector editing, that means this pin could not supply 5V or
ground.
2． Pins not involved in test (X) are drawn up to 5V by 4K
resistance inside the programmer.