8051 ICP Programmer

Nuvoton
8051 ICP Programmer
User Manual

Revision 7.15, 2015/Apr/15

© 2015 Nuvoton Technology Corporation. All Rights Reserved. < Revision 7.15 > 1
 8051 ICP Programmer

Contents
Revision History ...................................................................................................... 3
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 4
2 Hardware ........................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Hardware Connection .................................................................................................................. 5
2.2 ICP Interface ............................................................................................................................... 6
3 Software ............................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Installing the Driver ...................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Installing the Application Program ............................................................................................... 7
3.3 Introduction to the GUI ................................................................................................................ 7
3.4 Auto Synchronization of Buffer Data ............................................................................................ 8
4 Operation Modes ............................................................................................... 9
4.1 On-line Mode ............................................................................................................................... 9
4.2 Download Programmer Mode ...................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Off-line Mode ............................................................................................................................. 10
5 Tool Project File (TPJ) ..................................................................................... 11
6 Programmer Information .................................................................................. 12
7 Advanced Functions ........................................................................................ 13
7.1 Limited Usage Times ................................................................................................................. 13
7.2 Serial Number Programming ..................................................................................................... 15
7.2.1 Off-line Serial Number Programming ..................................................................................................17
7.3 Chip Counter ............................................................................................................................. 18

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 8051 ICP Programmer
Revision History

Revision Description Date

v3.00 The first formal released version. 2010/02/10

(1) Added new parts: N79E234(R)/235(R) and N79E822A/823A/824A/825A.
v4.00 (2) Corrected some GUI errors. 2010/04/01
(3) Updated the document version to v4.00.
(1) Updated the Hardware Connection. (Section 2.1)
v5.00 (2) Updated the PC-site AP to v5.00. (The GUI display for "CONFIG Setting" 2010/08/13
becomes more user-friendly.)
Fixed the HEX-to-BIN conversion error when the hex input file has a binary code
v5.02 2010/11/15
size more than 64K. (The application program is updated to v5.02.)
(1) Supported Tool Project (TPJ) file for GUI setting management.
v5.05 2011/01/18
(2) Released 'FS0' bit in CONFIG1 for W79E8213.
v5.31 Fixed some software bugs. 2011/04/08
(1) Supported N79E855/4/3, N79E845/4/3 and N79E815/4/3.
(2) Supported N79E375/374 and N79A903/902.
v5.50 2011/06/15
(3) Supported an advanced function: Limited Usage Times.
(4) Updated the PC-site AP version to v5.50.
v5.51 Fixed minor bugs in the PC-site AP of v5.50. 2011/07/26
(1) Fixed ICP programming problem of N79E855/4/3, N79E845/4/3 and
N79E815/4/3 when VDD=3.3V.
v5.52 2011/09/28
(2) Changed the maximum „Limited Usage Times‟ from 9,999 to 60,000.
(3) Supported to save the „Limited Usage Times‟ setting in the TPJ file.
v5.60 Supported N79E8432 and N79E8132. 2011/10/20
v5.70 Supported N79A8211A. 2011/11/07
v6.00 Supported chip counter for successfully programmed chips. (cf. Section 7.2) 2011/12/20
v6.02 Fixed some minor software bugs. 2012/02/01
v6.03 Updated the document version to v6.03. 2012/02/13
Fixed ICP programming problem in the following parts:
v6.04 2012/02/29
N79E855/4, N79E845/4, N79E815/4, N79E8432 and N79E8132.
v6.10 Supported the „serial number programming‟ function. (cf. Section 7.2) 2012/03/26
Fixed a software bug that makes “Auto Synchronization of Buffer Data” failed.
v6.12 2012/04/26
(cf. Section 3.4)
(1) Enhanced ICP programmer in the following parts:
N79E855/4, N79E845/4, N79E815/4, N79E8432, N79E8132.
(2) Added ISP_ICP key de-bounce.
(3) Replaced 10 kΩ with 2 kΩ on R13/R14.
v7.10 (4) Removed support for N79A901, N79A902, N79A903, N79E374, N79E375, 2014/01/15
N79E813, N79E843, N79E853, N79E234, N79E234R, N79E235,
N79E235R and N79A8211A.
(5) Supported the „serial number off-line programming‟ function. (cf. Section
7.2.1)
v7.13 Supported N79E715/N76E885. 2015/01/09
v7.14 Fixed some minor software bugs. 2015/01/16
v7.15 Supported N76E616 2015/04/15

© 2015 Nuvoton Technology Corporation. All Rights Reserved. < Revision 7.15 > 3
 8051 ICP Programmer
1 Introduction
ICP is the acronym of In-Circuit Programming, which makes it possible that the user can update the MCU‟s program
memory under hardware control without removing the mounted MCU chip from the actual end product. The USB-
stick-like tool “8051 ICP Programmer”, as shown in the following picture, is used to perform the ICP function. It uses
a serial interface with only five pins for programming, not like the universal programmer, which usually uses a
parallel interface. In addition, since this tool can save the programming data downloaded from the host, it is able to
perform the off-line operation. This feature is especially useful in the field without a host.

Note:
The difference between ICP (In-Circuit Programming) and ISP (In-System Programming) is that ICP is implemented
by hardware control while ISP is implemented by software control of MCU itself. So, before updating the MCU chip,
ISP needs a software code (the ISP-code) pre-programmed in LDROM of the MCU to function as software control
while ICP does not need any software code pre-programmed.

Picture of the “8051 ICP Programmer”

ICP Key
(For off-line operation, press to do 'Update Chip')

5
4
3
2
1

Green/Red LEDs
(To show ICP result)
ICP Interface:
Pin-5: VPP (Programming voltage to 8051 MCU)
Pin-4: CLK (Serial clock to 8051 MCU)
Pin-3: VCC (Power supply from target system)
Pin-2: DTA (Serial data to/from 8051 MCU)
Pin-1: GND (Ground)

The ICP Interface

VPP: Programming voltage to the 8051 MCU. This voltage may be up to +11V for some MCU parts.
CLK: Serial clock to the 8051 MCU.
VCC: Power supply from the target system. In off-line operation, the programmer is powered by the target system.
DTA: Serial data to/from the 8051 MCU.
GND: Ground.

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 8051 ICP Programmer
2 Hardware
2.1 Hardware Connection
The following diagram shows the hardware connection. The DIP-switch is recommended to isolate the ICP interface
signals from the application circuit during ICP programming. Before starting ICP programming, the user should
switch the DIP-switch to OFF state. Note the DTA and CLK signals are always kept at TTL level while the VPP
signal may rise up to +11V for some parts. For the parts with VPP up to +11V, the isolation is especially necessary
to protect the application circuit from being damaged. After ICP programming is finished, disconnect the ICP
Programmer and switch the DIP-switch to ON state for normal operation.

Target System

To internal
application
circuit
ON

DIP Switch
1
2
3

Power ICP
8051 MCU
Interface

VPP Nuvoton 8051 ICP Programmer

(See RST
CLK ICP-Key
Note1) P1.7 VPP
(See
VCC CLK
Note2) VDD VCC
XTAL2 DTA (Less DTA
P1.6 than GND
XTAL1 VSS GND 50cm)

Note:
1: Refer to Section 2.2, 'ICP Interface', for which pins are used.
2: XTAL is not necessary during ICP programming.

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 8051 ICP Programmer
2.2 ICP Interface
See the following table for the pins used as the ICP interface.

Pins Used as the ICP Interface

Part No. +11V for VPP
DTA CLK VPP
W79E2051A P1.6 P1.7 RST NO
W79E2051RA P1.6 P1.7 RST NO
W79E4051A P1.6 P1.7 RST NO
W79E4051RA P1.6 P1.7 RST NO
W79E8213 P0.4 P0.5 P1.5 YES
W79E8213R P0.4 P0.5 P1.5 YES
N79E342 P0.4 P0.5 P1.5 YES
N79E342R P0.4 P0.5 P1.5 YES
N79E352 P1.6 P1.7 RST NO
N79E352R P1.6 P1.7 RST NO
N79E875 P0.4 P0.5 P1.4 YES
N79E875R P0.4 P0.5 P1.4 YES
N79E822A P0.4 P0.5 P1.5 YES
N79E823A P0.4 P0.5 P1.5 YES
N79E824A P0.4 P0.5 P1.5 YES
N79E825A P0.4 P0.5 P1.5 YES
N79E814A P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N79E815A P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N79E844A P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N79E845A P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N79E854A P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N79E855A P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N79E8132A P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N79E8432A P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N79E374A ICPDA ICPCK RST NO
N79E375A ICPDA ICPCK RST NO
N79E715 P1.6 P1.7 /RST NO
N76E885 P0.0 P0.1 P1.2 NO
N76E616 P3.4 P3.5 P3.6 NO

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 8051 ICP Programmer
3 Software
3.1 Installing the Driver
This ICP Programmer has the USB-to-Serial bridge chip (PL-2303) built inside. When connected to host, it will
appear as a USB-to-Serial COM port in the System\Hardware\Device Manager. Before starting to use this
programmer, the user has to install the driver if the PL-2303 driver has never been installed in this host. The user
can also find this driver in the folder [(1) Driver].
Note: Don't plug the ICP Programmer to the host before the driver is installed.

3.2 Installing the Application Program

The application program setup file is stored in the folder [(2) Application Program]. Using the default installation
setting, you will find the item “Nuvoton Tools \ Nuvoton ISP-ICP Utility, v?.??” appears in the Windows START-menu
after the application program is successfully installed.
Note: ISP-ICP means this application program is designed for both the ISP Programmer and the ICP Programmer.

3.3 Introduction to the GUI

Select 'ICP' Load file for APROM buffer

for the ICP Programmer Select wanted Part No. and DataFlash buffer (See Note)

Two things included:

(1) Download Programmer
(2) Update the MCU chip

Compare the MCU chip's

contents with the loaded
data in the buffers

Select Show the MCU chip's

updated items Set CONFIG bits contents
when
'Update Chip'
is clicked
Download the current GUI
Click to show setting and buffer data into
APROM buffer the programmer

Click to show Show the programming

DataFlash buffer data downloaded in the
programmer

Information of
the loaded file

Processing
status
S/N to be Chip counter
programmed
Note:
To load code file, click 'APROM Buffer', then click 'Load File'
To load data file, click 'DataFlash Buffer', then click 'Load File'

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 8051 ICP Programmer
3.4 Auto Synchronization of Buffer Data
The buffer contents will be automatically synchronized with the physical file in the hard disk when the function
buttons 'Download Programmer', 'Update Chip' or 'Verify Chip' is clicked, as shown below. Thus, the user does not
need to manually reload the files for APROM buffer and DataFlash buffer when the physical files are updated
externally.

These function buttons will

make the buffers synchronized.

Buffer contents

Physical file in
the hard disk

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 8051 ICP Programmer
4 Operation Modes
4.1 On-line Mode
The system diagram for On-line Mode is shown below. In this mode, both the host and MCU chip are connected.
The user may directly update the MCU chip or download the programming data into the programmer for use in
Off-line Mode. After updating the MCU chip, the user may disconnect the programmer and send a reset signal to the
MCU chip to make it re-start to run the new application code.

4.2 Download Programmer Mode

The system diagram for Download Programmer Mode is shown below. In this mode, only the host is connected.
The user may download the programming data into the programmer for use in Off-line Mode.

PC

Nuvoton 8051 ICP Programmer

ICP-Key
VPP
CLK USB
VCC
DTA
GND

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 8051 ICP Programmer
4.3 Off-line Mode
The system diagram for Off-line Mode is shown below. In this mode, only the MCU chip is connected. This mode is
especially useful in the field without a PC. After the programmer has been downloaded, it can perform the off-line
operation. Press the ICP-Key to start an ICP operation to update the MCU chip. After updating the MCU chip, the
user may disconnect the programmer and send a reset signal to the MCU chip to make it run the new application
code.

Power
8051 MCU
ICP Interface
VPP Nuvoton 8051 ICP Programmer
CLK ICP-Key
VPP
VCC CLK
VCC
DTA DTA
GND
GND

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 8051 ICP Programmer
5 Tool Project File (TPJ)
The user may save all the GUI settings to the Tool Project (TPJ) file, and retrieve the GUI setting by loading the TPJ
file previously saved. It is much helpful to the user to manage a variety of programming data by the „project‟ type.

The GUI settings or the contents of the TPJ file include:

(1) Programmer type
(2) Part number
(3) Items to be updated
(4) APROM buffer data if APROM is one of the updated items
(5) Data Flash buffer data if DataFlash is one of the updated items
(6) LDROM buffer data if LDROM is one of the updated items
(7) CONFIG settings if CONFIG is one of the updated items
(8) Advanced functions setting

Save GUI setting

to a TPJ file
Restore GUI setting
from a TPJ file

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 8051 ICP Programmer
6 Programmer Information
To check the programming data downloaded in the programmer, click the „Programmer Information‟ button when the
programmer is connected to PC. Note the „CONFIG Setting‟ dialog box appears only when the CONFIG bits are to
be updated.

The programming data saved in the

programmer.

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 8051 ICP Programmer
7 Advanced Functions
7.1 Limited Usage Times
An advanced function, Limited Usage Times, is supported for the customer who wants to limit the usage times of the
ICP Programmer. Once this function is enabled and the wanted times value is filled, as shown below, the usage
times of this programmer will be limited after finishing „Download Programmer‟. Provided that 100 is filled, then the
programmer will be no longer available when reaching 100 times of successful programming. That is to say, only
100 times of successful programming are available.

Right-click the Title Bar

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 8051 ICP Programmer
Check the Left Available Times

To check the left available times of the programmer, which was previously downloaded with Limit Usage Times
enabled, click the „Programmer Information‟ button when the programmer is connected to PC, as shown below.

The left available times

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 8051 ICP Programmer
7.2 Serial Number Programming
The serial number programming is supported when the programmer operates in On-line mode. The serial number is
BCD coded and 8 bytes long, which supports 16 decimal digits. Only APROM area can be programmed with the
serial number. The following figure shows how to open the configuration dialog box for serial number programming.

Right-click the Title Bar

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 8051 ICP Programmer
As shown in the above figure, „2468000012345678‟ is to be programmed at address 0x3FF8 in APROM area. The
BCD-coded serial number programmed in the chip has a „what you see is what you get‟ format, as shown below.

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 8051 ICP Programmer
7.2.1 Off-line Serial Number Programming

The serial number programming is also supported when the programmer operates in Off-line mode. Before using the
off-line serial number programming, do the same setting described in Section 7.2, and then click the „Download
Programmer‟ button to download all the programming data including the serial number setting to the programmer.

How to check the serial number stored in the programmer? Click the „Programmer Information‟ button when the
programmer is connected to PC, as shown below.

The serial number to be programmed

into the target MCU chip.

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 8051 ICP Programmer
7.3 Chip Counter
The chip counter is used to calculate the successfully programmed chips. The user may configure the counter as up
counter or down counter, and set the initial counter value. The following figure shows how to enable the chip counter
and its various configurations.

Right-click the Title Bar

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