TopJTAG Flash Programmer
A universal in-circuit indirect programmer of parallel NOR flash memories. Programs flash memories connected to any JTAG-compliant device by manipulating the device's pins using boundary-scan technology.
Indirect programming using boundary-scan
By utilizing boundary-scan (JTAG) test logic on a chip connected to flash memory (e.g. CPU, FPGA, CPLD, ASIC), TopJTAG Flash Programmer 'detaches' the chip's core from its pins and manipulates pins signals in order to communicate with flash memory.
No dependence on logic inside JTAG IC
The chip connected to flash memory could be any JTAG-compliant IC. TopJTAG Flash Programmer works independently on any logic inside the JTAG chip. There is no need to load any code or firmware into the JTAG chip.
Most of popular parallel NOR flash memories supported
TopJTAG Flash Programmer can work with any parallel NOR flash memory compatible with AMD or Intel standard or extended command sets. Both CFI (Common Flash Interface) and non-CFI memories are supported.
Common programming functions provided
Read, erase, blank check, program, verify, sector lock/unlock (for Intel memories), get device ID, view CFI info, autodetect command set.
Disadvantage: slow programming
In order to put flash memory pins into certain states, the software needs to shift entire JTAG chain bits (there are usually hundreds of bits to shift). This makes the indirect programming using boundary-scan to be quite slow.
Many popular JTAG cables supported
- Altera USB-Blaster
- USB to JTAG interfaces based on FTDI FT2232 chip, e.g.
- SEGGER J-Link
- Digilent JTAG-USB
- Xilinx Parallel Cable III and IV
- Altera ByteBlaster MV and II
- Lattice Parallel ispDOWNLOAD
- Wiggler
- Embest EasyICE
We aim to extend the supported range of JTAG cables. Send us an e-mail with your proposal for the type of JTAG cable you would like our software to support.
