FYI Xgecu TL866II and T48 can't program FM16W08 FRAM chips

[mattaw]

Just a heads up, the FM16W08 is listed as compatible with the Xgecu programmers TL866II plus and T48 (probably T56 too).

A helpful video of the TL866II Plus failing to program them: https://youtu.be/N2z07nJ5GDs

I have the T48. Both of us have FM16W08 that have programmed correctly on other programmers, he used GQ4x4 on the same chips and I used borrowed Dataman 40pro (they are so expensive!). Both his TL866II plus and my T48 pass self-test and have successfully program other chips (in my case the latest was some 32 pin AM29LV040B).

I have reached out to xgecupro@gmail.com, and I hope they will issue an update to fix this. Luckily the chip is simple, very similar to DS1225, but needs 10ms after power-on, and CE strobe for both read and write.

I'll update this thread if anything happens.

[mattaw]

Also, if anyone could cross post this thread to the Xgecu forum that would be great - I am afraid I don't read/write Chinese to be able to register: http://forums.xgecu.com/

[Qw3rtzuiop]

I programmed a FM16W08 on a T56 without any problems.

[mattaw]

I programmed a FM16W08 on a T56 without any problems.

Fantastic extra information! Could you share software and firmware version, as well as any adapter details? I was using the official ZIF SOIC holder, Y had a SOIC soldered to DIP.

[coromonadalix]

http://forums.xgecu.com/redirect.php?tid=19&goto=lastpost


you see some sockets pinouts

normally  soic sockets are 1 to 1  pins in the main socket, in many case you start from the bottom going up

[mattaw]

http://forums.xgecu.com/redirect.php?tid=19&goto=lastpost
... soic sockets are 1 to 1  pins in the main socket, in many case you start from the bottom going up

I used the Xgecu supplied 28pin SOIC that came with the programmer. I beeped it through from FM16W08 leg to pin looking for continuity and shorts and it was 1:1 as you say.

Debugging at my end:

• T48 self test passed(screenshot)
• Xgpro latest firmware and software
• Tried the programmer in direct connect USB3 and USB2 sockets, no dice.
• Verified Xgecu 28pin SOIC adapter for shorts/opens
• Programmed/verified whole AM29LV040B 32 pin PLCC in PLCC to DIP adapter with various different files
• Multiple, known good FM16W08's programmed via Dataman 40Pro I borrowed (I wish it was not so crazy expensive) did not work in T48 (screenshot)
• Errors are the same as in this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/N2z07nJ5GDs

The programming partially worked, so about 75% of the values were read back correctly during the verify step.

[Qw3rtzuiop]

Fantastic extra information! Could you share software and firmware version, as well as any adapter details? I was using the official ZIF SOIC holder, Y had a SOIC soldered to DIP.

It was last year. But i used one of the suplied zif sockets. Dont know which firmware version though. But the IC was a Cypress FM16W08 from Mouser and no old stock/counterfeit ramtron.

[mattaw]

Idle speculation, but the T48/TL866II plus could be clocking the FM16W08 just a bit too fast (i.e. not quite holding long enough before strobing CE), giving rise to the corruption but not complete failure.

If the data packets for the T56 are slightly larger to account for the extra pins vs. T48/TL866II plus, that could fix the timing errors in the T48/TL866II plus!

I'll try freezing and warming the FM16W08 to see if that can fix it temporarily.

[mattaw]

Log below, but latest firmware and software 12.45 still does not work.
No response from tech email 532007590@QQ.com from their website http://www.xgecu.com/en/.
Edit: They responded, see below.

Can someone else think of a way to reach out? I am sure they would want to eliminate this regression, especially as the T56 works properly. They have a forum but it is in Chinese and I can't figure out enough to register.



APP Version : 12.45   Model : T48

     Device : FM16W08 @SOIC28



*************************************************

 1 Programmer Connected.

*************************************************

  Device 1: T48 [TL866-3G] Ver: 00.01.20

       USB POWER VOLTAGE: 04.93V

       USB SPEED MODE: HS 480MHZ

*************************************************

 

FM16W08 @SOIC28

  Memory Size : 0x00002000

[mattaw]

[Just a documenting for the future]

Xgecu responded from their 532007590@QQ.com email address letting me know they are purchasing a couple of chips to debug this, which is excellent news.

[mattaw]

I programmed a FM16W08 on a T56 without any problems.

FYI I have tested a new T56 (without AC adapter in case that matters) with the latest Xgecu software and it failed to program the FM16W08 with the same symptoms as the T48. Do you happen to have the date or version numbers of the software by any chance so I can try to reproduce it? Did you use an external PSU perhaps?

[The T56 self-tested fine, same adapter etc. transferred directly from the Dataman 40Pro.]

[Qw3rtzuiop]

Do you happen to have the date or version numbers of the software by any chance so I can try to reproduce it? Did you use an external PSU perhaps?

No external psu was used. The software version was probably 11.10. But i think you cant downgrade the firmware on the device itself.

[mattaw]

I have not found a way to downgrade the firmware, and I don't want to risk blanking the micro or similar onboard. Also I guess upgrades could be to the FPGA too, which I am guessing the micro programs either flash or on every boot. Its a really complex device at an awesome price IMHO.

Last thought, was it the newer FM16W08 or the older FM1608? They were pin compatible however the W version needs an extra 10ms on power-up, which would cover a large percentage of the programming time on the Xgecu. I am guessing that there is a charge pump/internal cap that is being charged to supply the power for reading/writing at the lower voltages.

[Fractal]

Any update on this?

I just got me a T48 and am facing the same issue; reads off the DS1225Y fine, but won't write on the FM16W08

[Rax]

I've just ran into this thread, and would appreciate an update. Is this still an issue? Or maybe there's a firmware update addressing it?

I am currently having adapter boards made to use FM16W08 chips instead of DS1220. I also do have a XGecu T48 programmer. Can this write BIN files ripped from a DS1220Y onto an FM16W08 fitted on an adapter board?

[Rax]

I seem to be able to at least "see" (through the programmer) the same data I transplanted from a DS1220Y onto an FM16W08 with my T48 XGecu. So it looks like I was able to do this.

I'm not sure yet the FRAM works with the fresh data as intended, but have no reason to think it won't. But verification through the programmer is successful.

[Rax]

Further progress (or regress?...) with my switching to FM16W08s instead of DS1220Y hit a roadblock.

Once I placed my FM16W08 on a "Bonetti Dynamics" adapter, I'm unable to write successfully the BIN extracted from the DS1220Y onto the FM16W08 - "seen" as a DS1220Y by the programmer - as the data verification fails every time.

[TERRA Operative]

I have been able to program FM16W08 chips in my TL866II.

I use adapters I designed and use them to replace DS1225Y NVRAM and they program and work fine.