The programming adapter can communicate with and control the target using various settings. The most of important of these is selecting the communication interface, such as JTAG, cJTAG, or SWD. Furthermore, the parameters of the reset pulse can be configured as well as a custom final action after programming that is useful for testing. Finally, there are some Preferences options that affect the functioning of the software in general across different MCUs.

8.1 Interface and Communication Speed

The programming adapter can use the JTAG, cJTAG, or SWD communication protocol to control the target device (see Figure 8.1 and 8.2).

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Figure 8.1: Interface & Speed selector

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Figure 8.2: Interface drop-down selector

On the XStream-Iso (XS) and XStreamPro-Iso (X2S) adapter, in fast mode, the communication frequency can be selected to be up to 20MHz. Faster communication speeds allow the programmer to read and write data faster to the target, although generally maximum performance can already be achieved at 10MHz or less. Higher frequencies require a better hardware connection, and a higher operating frequency in the target MCU to avoid communication errors (see Figure 8.3). Under some conditions, for example when the cable between FPA and target device is long or some protection components are installed in the debug interface, fast communication cannot be used. In this case the slow speed of 0.2 Mb/s can be used to establish communication between FPA and target device.

Figure 8.3: A custom communication frequency can be selected. In addition a communication integrity test can be run by the adapter. Select a frequency with 0.00 ppm errors.

8.2 Reset Dialog Screen

The Target's Reset Options dialog screen enables the user to configure the programming adapter’s reset pulse characteristics and the reset line state at the end of the programming process (see Figure 8.4).

8.2.1 Reset pulse duration

The reset pulse allows the adapter to initiate communication with the MCU using the debug interface. In most cases a pulse duration of 10ms is sufficient to initiate communication; however, if there is additional load on the reset line a longer pulse might be required. Therefore, four additional settings, 100, 200, 500 ms and custom, are available. When a RESET IC circuit is used then the custom defined reset pulse duration should be used. Two parameters of the custom reset pulse are defined - initialization reset pulse time (typically very short - 1 ms) and an idle reset time. Idle reset time must be set at least to the duration of the reset time generated by the RESET circuit. If a reset line cannot be connected, the adapter can attempt to reset the target using only software resets by writing to the internal ARM registers. Software only resets cannot recover from all faults.

Figure 8.4: Use this dialog window to configure reset options.

8.2.2 Final Target Device action

• Every device action, like "AUTO PROG.” or "READ / COPY" starts with the activation of the RESET line (active low). When the device programming action begins the RESET line is raised high. When device action is finished, the RESET line is again asserted, protecting the target device from running the application program. This method is commonly used to protect the programming adapter from DC overload. However, when target device is supplied from its own power supply, or a battery, then overload protection of the programming adapter is no longer necessary. Also, the XStream-Iso (XS) and XStreamPro-Iso (X2S) adapters contain galvanic isolation that can protect the adapter.

• For testing purposes, the target device can be set to run an application immediately after the target device is programmed. This permits verification of the programmed device if required. To do this check the Hardware Reset (RST line) and start the application program option. Application run time can be unlimited (enter 0) or limited up to 120 seconds. Limited time is specified in the "Application Program RUN time" box.

• The final state of the JTAG/SWD lines can be configured to High or Low, or Tri-stated to enable various current measurement tests. Similarly, the RESET line can also be tri-stated.

  • The USB-FPA adapter uses a 1M Ohm pull-up for the tri-state buffer

  • The XStream-Iso (XS) adapter uses a 1M Ohm pull-up for the tri-state buffer

  • The XStreamPro-Iso (X2S) uses an infinite pull-up for the tri-state buffer

8.3 Preferences Dialog Screen

The Preferences Dialog screen allows the user to select multiple features, including the option to view history in the report window and to log messages to a file (see Figure 8.5). The Report History Display Enable check-box when clicked will allow report history to be displayed for up to 8 kB worth of characters (approximately 20 last communication messages). When disabled, then only last programming report is displayed. Enabling the log file will save history messages to a log file, preserving it for later analysis if necessary. To control the size of each log file, the user can choose to create a new log file every day, or every month.
All programming actions at the end can generate the Beep OK tone. When a lot of units are programmed then the beeping can become a nuisance and therefore it can be disabled. However, the error programming tone is enabled permanently and cannot be disabled because it should not be ignored.
It is also possible to disable multiple warning messages for a single programmer operation, which is useful when the user is aware of the problem and simply wishes to proceed. This can normally happen when attempting to read protected memory pages, at which point the programmer will give a warning message indicating a read error per page. Enabling this option will configure the programmer to only display the first warning message.

Figure 8.5: Use this dialog window to configure your preferences.