The PCB assembly process has advanced in matters of technology leading to great maturity that has triggered its extremely encouraging application range. It has a great role to play in modern days electronic and intelligent devices. To make such boards comprehend the functionality of the hardware and the design, there is a need to ensure that we have a matching program, software, and the same hardware. This matching process will be achieved through a process of programming whereby a program is fed into the IC to deliver the expected functionality.  The PCB design process also involves several components that are required to achieve several functions. These components must be tested to ensure that they achieve the required goals. In this article, we are going to emphasize the different types of Integrated circuit (IC) programming, the steps of IC programming, and why IC programming is essential in the area of PCB and electronic design.

Let us jump into the definition of IC programming:

Definition of IC programming

This is a process where a computer program is loaded into an IC circuit to run its functionality. In other words, it is a process that involves shifting a code that is coded in a computer into an IC. This process will utilize the serial communication protocol available in a device to achieve its target. In most cases, it is considered the core of the most important modern-day electronic circuits.

Why does IC need to be programmed?

From the data available, the need for IC programming was triggered by the introduction of too large electrical circuits. The large electrical circuits were a load on the side of designers and manufacturers and to solve this, there was the need to introduce compact and miniature circuits which could still maintain the intended function. To meet this idea of compactness, designers came up with an integrated circuit idea.

After the IC had been introduced, the designer should make sure that the IC communicated to the other components which surrounded it either as outputs or inputs, and this gave birth to the rise of the IC programming process that we see today.

Let us have a look at the types of IC programming that are available today.

Types of IC programming

IC programming is currently classified into two that is offline and online programming. These are the only methods that are currently available to transfer programs into the IC. We shall look in detail at what the two methods entail below:

Offline programming: this involves programming of chips that are indifferent packages by the use of different adapters. Here the adapter is used together with the chip so that program burning can be achieved. The adapter is a precision fixture will mean that different packages and chips will utilize different adapters.

• Packages and chips will utilize different adapters.
  

  

• Sometimes you realize there is an error during the manufacturing process test of your PCB, here you just have to remove the IC from the adaptor and do the programming as is required in the prescribed process.

• This process is accompanied by time-wasting, additional costs, and energy consumption.

• Online programming: Here the process makes use of the chip’s communication protocols that are standard such as the JTAG, USB, SWD, UART, SPI, etc. The method makes use of the fixed interface that has very few pins for connection.

• The method makes utilization of the general cables with less consumption since the rate of communication is not that high.

• Since this method utilizes a wire connection, any faulty chip can be tracked and get corrected without disassembling the whole chip.

• This will end up saving production costs and increase programming efficiency.

Equipment necessary for IC programming

• IC programming devices from data I/O, Microchip, Dataman, System General, and BP Microsystems.

• Automatic marking devices such as laser, ink, poly label, and Kapton.

     

  Let us now have a look at the IC chip programming methods and procedures below:

  
  

Preparation of the tools

Before you start programming any IC, ensure that you have set up the following tools;

• Pen

• Wired electrostatic ring

• Programmer- GAME8 and ALL-11

• Computer

The tips for programming IC chip

• You should be very keen while placing the IC chip to prevent programming kit socket damage and sometimes IC pins damage.

• Make sure the IC is placed correctly. Ensure there are no short circuits on the pins of the dismantled IC otherwise you might end up damaging the programming socket.

• Ensure that you train your workers before the start of programming and that they don’t have to use other software on the work computer.

• Any fault that occurs must be reported to the manager for immediate action.

Steps of programming an IC chip

• First, connect the programmer cable followed by installing the IC socket into the writer socket, and finally turn on your computer and system programmer.

• Programming software running: Double click GANG 08 using your mouse (for me am using the GANG 08 socket for my programming. We have so many other types available in the market.)

• Choosing the IC brand: search on the device menu and there you will come across the IC brand table, select the corresponding brand and click OK

• Select the part number of the IC

• Load the software that is supposed to be burned.

• Check your software using the four-digit checksum that will appear.

• Hoover over the program button to load the IC into the IC socket. Press the burn button located on the burning socket to initiate the start of the burning process.

• If successful, there will be programming in the successful display, and if not successful an error red will alert you.

• At the end of every process putting a sticker on the IC to display burning was successful. If burning fails, put the IC on another socket and repeat the procedure above.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is good to note that IC programming is about programming and loading codes into an integrated circuit and it can be done in two ways, that is, offline and online programming. It is done following a given procedure and using special tools as discussed in this article.

If you require more information about the IC programming and functional testing then get in touch with the PCBgogo team which is well known for super services and turnaround.