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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : TQFP Programming Jig
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| MOBI Guru  Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
Hello all, has anyone on TBS used or made a jig for programming a TQFP chip without soldering the chip onto a board? If not, I'll have a go at it. David M. |
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MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
I use the leads from my 16 port logic analyzer to hook up all the needed pins. It actually worked. 
Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3196 |
I have programmed a TQFP chip using an old Maximite board with the programming header soldered in. I just held the chip in place with my finger while it was being programmed. I have heard of others using a cloths peg. Geoff Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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| MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
I have order one of these and also a 64 and 100 pin version. Not really cheap but i hope very convenient: 
Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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| JohnL Senior Member  Joined: 10/01/2014 Location: SeychellesPosts: 128 |
I have received 3 of these yesterday, look really good, socket is actually made in Japan. Socket is soldered to a wide DIL board and that board plugs into a board with narrower DIL pins. |
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| plasma Guru Joined: 08/04/2012 Location: GermanyPosts: 437 |
not really cheap  |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9308 |
No, not really. But I suppose it depends on how many chips you think you are going to program. If you think that you will need to pre-program 100 chips, then this thing would be well worth the money. If you only need to program-as-you-go, then most people(myself included) would just solder in the virgin chip, then once the board is assembled, program it. 
It all depends on what you need. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3196 |
Perhaps slightly off-topic but if you need to pre-program 100 chips Microchip will do it for you as part of your order. It only adds a little to the cost and a few days to the delivery but it is very convenient. Geoff Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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| MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
I was really only thinking of programming the odd chip for putting in an envelope and posting and was wondering if anyone had built a simple unit for us simple types. I have tossed around a few mental designs on our 7 hour drive home today. It might take a while to come up with something but I'll keep you posted if I succeed or not. I checked the interweb but only came up with elaborate units using pogo pins etc and lots of questions also expensive. I'll see how I go mounting a locating frame to a breakout board and pressing the chip onto the pads. I've got 20 or so B/O boards so I can afford to damage one or two. If I can do it on 100pin TQFP then lower pin counts should be a breeze. David M. |
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| JohnL Senior Member Joined: 10/01/2014 Location: SeychellesPosts: 128 |
David, This is the socket with DIL adapter boards. Socket is high precision Yamaichi brand from Japan with gold plated contacts. http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6015827930.html I bought 3 of them for convenience of programming as well as development. I can pop a chip inside and know that it is going to sit precisely with all contacts made. It is a production grade socket that will last a long time. Time and no frustration is far more important to me than $28. |
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| MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
It is an impressive socket and at a reasonable price and certainly worth it if one was to do production/development work. In my case, it is a challenge to see if it can be done in "the back shed". I had a bit of a play with a break out board and a steel rule to see if I could get the 100 pin TQFP lined up easily and I can. It shouldn't be too difficult to mount a couple of pieces of PCB material at 90deg on one corner of the foot print and "simply" slide the chip into the corner and press down with finger whilst programming. I might have to etch a pad with just the required pins for programming so that I can get a bit more spring in the chip legs. I don't necessarily WANT one, just see if it can be done. Some one else might have a better idea or modify mine. After all, the forum is for swapping ideas. Happy experimenting. David M. |
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