(E)PROM, PAL, GAL, CPLD, etc. programming

(E)PROM, PAL, GAL, CPLD, etc. programming Seth Morabito sethm <mailto:cctalk%40classiccmp.org?Subject=%28E%29PROM%2C%20PAL%2C%20GAL%2C%20C PLD%2C%20etc.%20programming&In-Reply-To=> at loomcom.com Thu Jun 5 19:33:59 CDT 2008 * Previous message: MicroVax batteries <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/259065.html> * Next message: (E)PROM, PAL, GAL, CPLD, etc. <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/259026.html> programming * Messages sorted by: [ date ] <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/date.html#259024> [ thread ] <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/thread.html#259024> [ <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/subject.html#259024> subject ] [ author ] <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/author.html#259024> _____ Hey folks, I'd like to get some advice on getting a general-purpose (E)PROM burner. I've never burned a PROM in my life, but as I get more into digital design and home-brewing logic, I'm finding myself wishing I had access to a burner. I am a helpless newbie on this front, so perhaps someone can show me the light. I'd ideally like to be able to dump and burn PROMs, EPROMs, and PALs of various flavors. Bonus points would be GAL and CPLD programming capability, but I don't know how common it is to find both of those in the same box. Is it? Or is programmable logic typically handled by a totally different device? Availability is important -- I'd prefer to find one I can buy soon rather than waiting for just the right one to show up on eBay. And yes, just to prove that this is more or less on topic: I have been given a box of early 80s EPROMs I would like to try to get dumps of! Thanks much, -Seth _____ * Previous message: MicroVax batteries <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/259065.html> * Next message: (E)PROM, PAL, GAL, CPLD, etc. <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/259026.html> programming * Messages sorted by: [ date ] <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/date.html#259024> [ thread ] <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/thread.html#259024> [ <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/subject.html#259024> subject ] [ author ] <http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2008-June/author.html#259024> _____ More information <http://www.classiccmp.org/mailman/listinfo/cctalk> about the cctalk mailing list _____ [apologies in advance for HTML format email but this message contains links] Hi Seth, As you can probably tell from the responses so far your choice in EPROM programmers is a highly personal one. Certainly the Data IO is a nice programmer. I have a Data IO 29B and use it frequently for older EPROMs like 2708s and such. There probably isn't the perfect EPROM programmer that does everything for everybody. I have managed to get several for various needs. For very low cost but limited in that it can only program fairly recent EPROM, Flash, EEPROM, SRAM, etc, I would go with an eBay special Willem programmer. At $20 plus shipping they are hard to beat and are good for the vast bulk of requirements. They do not do GALs, PALs, CPLDs, but do PICs and AVRs. http://search.ebay.com/willem-programmer_W0QQdfspZ32QQfromZR40QQfsooZ1QQfsop Z34QQsbrsrtZd If you need GALs, PALs, CPLDs as well and can spend a little more go with the EasyPro 90B or Top 2007 http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs <http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R40&sati tle=easypro+90B&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=4 5429&sabfmts=1&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=34%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=c ompare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search> &sbrftog=1&from=R40&satitle=easypro+90B&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26sa slc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=45429&sabfmts=1&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop= 34%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search http://search.ebay.com/top2007_W0QQcatrefZC6QQdfspZ32QQfromZR40QQfsooZ1QQfso pZ34QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZQ2d1QQsbrsrtZd You can shop around for various models online but here is a good place to comparison shop. The prices aren't too bad either and pretty convenient: http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/LeftStart.asp?idCategory=27 If all you want to do is get started with EPROM programming and maybe read some old EPROMs, I would just get the Willem and use it until you determine what you really want and need. My guess is the Willem will do practically everything you'll need until you get some specialized requirements like 2708s/1702s/GALs/PALs etc. Thanks and good luck! Andrew Lynch PS, When buying an older EPROM programmer, be sure to check the socket size. Some older programmers only accept up to 28 pin devices. Many newer DIP memories are 32 or 42 pin chips and even larger.