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EXA-PROG
USB programming adapter for AVR-ISP, AVR-UPDI, STM32, LPC, ESP8266, ESP32
EXA = EXAMINE
EXA-PROG – derived from the originally Latin term "to examine". EXA-PROG has
a built-in function to self-check all signals on the programming lines with the asso-
ciated Exa-Tool.
EXA-PROG stands for the new generation of ISP programmers that are not just
limited to a certain microcontroller type but support several different controller ar-
chitectures and programming interfaces.
These Microcontrollers Can Be Programmed with EXA-PROG:
ATMEL/microchip AVR, MegaAVR, TinyAVR controller with ISP interface (MISO, MOSI, SCK, RESET) or alterna-
tively (PDI, PDO, SCK, RESET).
ATMEL/microchip TinyAVR, AVR-DA controller with UPDI interface. With high-voltage function for controllers with
deactivated UPDI pin.
STM32 32 bit ARM-Cortex-M controller that has an internal UART bootloader.
NXP LPC 32 bit ARM-Cortex-M controller that has an internal UART bootloader.
ESP8266, ESP32, ESP32-S2 controllers and modules via the internal UART bootloader.
Functions:
Select functions via the DIP switch.
Signal level switchable.
Integrated high-voltage generator for UPDI programming.
Automatic bit rate adjustment in the AVR ISP mode
Clock generator for AVR controller with wrong fused oscillator.
Button for reset of the connected microcontroller.
10 pin standard ISP port. Optional equipment: 10-pin to 6-pin adapter, ESP01 adapter.
Mini USB port for power supply and connection to PC.
Firmware updateable via USB.
Windows PC tool for testing the signal levels at the programming port.
Techncal Data:
Current consumption without connected microcontroller: approx. 30mA
Signal level at programming connector: 5V (USB level) or 3.3V
Power supply for external circuit: max. 300mA (3.3V), max. 500mA (5V)
UPDI high voltage: approx. 12.3V
Case size approx. 55 x 40 x 10mm, weight approx. 25g
Supported Software:
AVR/Microchip Studio v7.x or higher (only AVR-ISP: STK500).
AVRDUDE v6.3 or higher (AVR-ISP: STK500, AVR-UPDI: jtag2updi).
Development environments that are based on AVRDUDE as a programming interface, e.g. Arduino, Bascom.
ESPTOOL (esptool.py, esptool.exe) and all programs that use ESPTOOL as a programming interface.
Notice: In the current firmware version EXA-PROG cannot be used for programming AVR controllers with a UPDI interface
with ATMEL/MICROCHIP Studio. However, you can use the Studio as an editor and compiler. The HEX files that are
created need to be transferred externally via AVRDUDE to the microcontroller. You can find out how this works in a link at
the end of this guide.
Page 1
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Summary of Contents for DIAMEX EXA-PROG
- Page 1 ESPTOOL (esptool.py, esptool.exe) and all programs that use ESPTOOL as a programming interface. Notice: In the current firmware version EXA-PROG cannot be used for programming AVR controllers with a UPDI interface with ATMEL/MICROCHIP Studio. However, you can use the Studio as an editor and compiler. The HEX files that are created need to be transferred externally via AVRDUDE to the microcontroller.
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Page 2: Installation
Windows 7 and 8.x EXA-PROG uses a virtual COM port. With Windows 7 and 8.x the driver file needs to be installed first. Click on the respective entry in the device manager of Windows, in the "Driver" tab click on "update driver". Then select the file prog-isp.inf of the EXA-PROG program package. - Page 3 NEGATIVE: In case the test is negative, first check if the right voltage was selected and if the DIP switches on the EXA-PROG agree with the switch position which gets displayed. Are there really no external components connected to the programming port? Also check the USB voltage with a multimeter by setting DIP switch 1 to ON and measuring the voltage between PIN2 (plus) and PIN10 (minus) at the programming port.
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Page 4: Reset Button
RESET BUTTON The button on the EXA-PROG triggers a manual reset of the connected microcontroller. That is often needed when the boot of a freshly programmed controller is supposed to be tested several times. The function of the button depends on the selected programming mode. -
Page 5: Dip Switch
SPI bus (Notice: There are a few controllers that have separate PDI/PDO pins). In addition to SCK, MISO, MOSI a reset line is also necessary. EXA-PROG emu- lates a STK500 programmer and is hereby compatible to ATMEL/MICROCHIP Studio and AVR- DUDE. - Page 6 EXA-PROG USB programming adapter for AVR-ISP, AVR-UPDI, STM32, LPC, ESP8266, ESP32 2 = ON, 3 = ON, 4 = OFF Programmer for ESP8266 and ESP32 with ESPTOOL The ESP8266 and ESP32 are programmed via the integrated bootloader via the lines TXD0 and RXD0.
- Page 7 AVR controller is not recognized. The rule says that the SPI bit rate can be a maximum of a quarter of the clock rate of the controller. If no connection can be established with the set bit rate EXA-PROG automatically switches to lower bit rates until the controller responds.
- Page 8 EXA-PROG. In the UPDI mode the software interface of the EXA-PROG emulates a jtag2updi interface. This is not supported by ATMEL/MICROCHIP Studio. Instead, please use the tool AVRDUDE for programming. This is used in various devel- opment environments like Arduino or Bascom.
- Page 9 To program the STM32, it must be supplied with 3.3 volts. If the power consumption is no higher than 300mA the controller (including the circuit) can also be supplied by the EXA-PROG. Programming does not need a crystal connected to the STM32. The bootloader of the STM32 uses the internal RC oscillator (HSI clock) to generate the system clock.
- Page 10 If you develop your own programming tool, the BOOT and RESET lines can be controlled via the DTR (!BOOT) and RTS (!RESET) signals. This can also be done manually using the reset button on the EXA-PROG. This programmer does not support 8-bit controllers (LPC9xx) and NXP controllers without an ARM Cortex core.
- Page 11 In order to program the ESP8266 or ESP32, it must be supplied with 3.3 volts. If the current consumption is not higher than 300mA, then the controller, including the circuitry, can also be supplied from the EXA-PROG. When using ESPTOOL, the control lines GPIO0 and RESET are activated automatically. A manual activation of the bootloader is therefore not necessary.
- Page 12 DISCLAIMER The manufacturer assumes no liability for damage that may result from the use of the EXA-PROG. The English version of this manual is a translation. For legal issues the authoritative version of these instructions is the German one.
- Page 13 EXA-PROG USB programming adapter for AVR-ISP, AVR-UPDI, STM32, LPC, ESP8266, ESP32 Page 13...
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