Multi-channel Flash Programmer
for Production Line
NETIMPRESS acorde

Overview (Programmers expected to meet diversifying demands and manufacturing a wider variety of products）

Until now, the manufacturing sites of "Embedded Systems" have aimed to improve QCD (quality, cost, delivery) by mass-producing small-quantity varieties with high quality and low cost and putting them on the market as soon as possible.In the current age of maturity, customer needs are diversifying, and the "Manufacturing" demanded by the market is changing to small-volume production of multi-product products.The problem to be solved in the changing production site is to improve the QCD in the manufacturing of diversified and multi-variety products. Embedded system manufacturing lines adopt a production method for improving productivity and reducing costs in mass production of a small number of products and small-lot production of many products. It is popular to manufacture multi-piece PCB assemblies, such as "single type multiple PCB mounting" and "mixed type PCB mounting" on one PCB. (PCB: Printed circuit board)

The NETIMPRESS acorde is a multi-flash programmer that can flexibly handle manufacturing from high-mix low-volume production to low-mix high-volume production.The product configuration is a programmer system equipped with communication and power supply to the base unit (AFX200) and capable of adding up to 9 units of programmer unit (AFX210) and Digital I/O unit (AFX220).
In the production of multiple on-chip flash MCUs mounted on a multi-piece PCB assembly, it is possible to perform batch programming of the same object file, or batch programming of different MCU types with different object files. A maintenance unit (AFX230) is available as an offline setting tool for speeding up the setup change when the production lot is changed and the start-up confirmation of the production line.

Enhanced unit expansion : Supports programming up to 18 MCUs

The unit configuration mounted on the base unit is a system that can be flexibly changed according to the requirements of the manufacturing site of the production line.Up to 9 units can be mounted.
The programmer unit has been upgraded to a unit specification equipped with a 2ch probe cable connection.Up to 18 Flash MCUs can be programmed.（However, the programming operation of the programmer unit is a switching operation for each 1CH probe）Digital I/O unit can monitor and control 32 channels of digital input signals and 32 channels of digital output signals with a single unit.It is a comfortable facility for manufacturing with a high production load, such as PCB assembly with multiple on chip flash MCUs.

How to Make Effective Use of the Programmer Unit (AFX210)

In a production-line programmer application, there are many cases in which two on chip flash MCUs are programmed, which are the main MCU and sub-MCU.Since the conventional product could connect only one channel of the probe cable, it was necessary to prepare two programmer units to support two MCUs. Also, switching the probe cable connected to the target MCU required adding an electromagnetic relay circuit to prevent electrical interference between the two programmers.
The programmer unit (AFX210) has made it possible to connect two channels of probe cables in one unit in order to eliminate the problems of productivity and manufacturing costs.An SD card is mounted for each programmer unit (AFX210), and the MCU programming environment for each probe can be saved independently. Even if the type of MCU is different, the AFX210 can program each MCU with a single unit, thus expanding the use of programming at the manufacturing site.

In order to make effective use of the programmer unit (AFX210), the following is an example of a use case in which two MCUs are mounted on a PCB.

Batch Simultaneous Programming Reduces Cycle Time, Improves Tact Time and Productivity

Multi-piece PCB assembly (PCB panel), in which multiple electronic circuit arrays are laid out on a PCB of a manufacturable work size, is standard on the assembly line of electronic component products for mass production.In the automation of production lines, PCB panel assembly is an effective means of improving QCD, such as reducing manufacturing costs and improving productivity.In the programming of on-chip flash MCU mounted on multi-piece PCB (PCB panel) in the production line, batch simultaneous programming of NETIMPRESS accorde shortens the operation time and greatly contributes to the improvement of tact time according to production.
As an example of programming for multi-piece PCB (PCB panel) assembly manufacturing with 16 on-chip flash MCUs, the following is an image diagram of the NETIMPRESS accorde system configuration and batch simultaneous programming production line.

How to link the programming manufacturing process with the customer's manufacturing equipment

Over the years, the NETIMPRESS series has built up a track record of linking with many production equipment, such as PCB assembly inspection fixtures and ICT (In-circuit Testers). NETIMPRESS acorde has added a new Digital I/O unit (AFX220) product to its lineup for interlocking with manufacturing equipment on the production line.Digital I/O unit (AFX220) is a unit for the input/output interface of 32 digital signal inputs and 32 digital signal outputs.This is a unit product for input monitoring and control of equipment for coordination of other equipment.

To incorporate "Flash Programming Execution Procedure" into the manufacturing sequence of customer manufacturing facility application, customer can easily control it by using Digital I/O unit and the dedicated remote control software (SWX630/SWX640). Digital I/O control software (SWX630) sample software is also available for starting up new manufacturing equipment, on-site adjustment of test fixtures, and checking signal output operations on a trial basis.After checking the on-site adjustments and linkage operation, use the DLL (SWX640) of Digital I/O control package to develop the customer's manufacturing application (manufacturing execution system, equipment control, production management system) implementation.

Product Specifications of NETIMPRESS acorde Series

NETIMPRESS acorde series-product specifi cations are introduced below.

NETIMPRESS avant/acorde　Common Accessory Product Specifications

【Probe Logic License】

Probe logic (firmware corresponding to the physical interface) is licensed.
It is possible to support the probe interface by installing the license on the purchased probe.

・PLX410 : Serial probe logic license（Standard installation on PHX400）
・PLX420 : JTAG probe logic license（Paid license） For PHX400
・PLX430 : SWD probe logic license （Paid license） For PHX400
・PLX440 : QSPI probe logic license （Paid license） For PHX400
・PLX460：BDM probe logic license （Paid license） For PHX400 用
・PLX450 : CAN/CANFD probe logic license （Standard installation on PHX410）

NETIMPRESS avant/acorde　Common Product Specifications

High-Speed Programming and File Download Performance

To realize high-speed programming, the target communication baud rate, PC communication baud rate, and internal processing are accelerated.
The communication baud rate with the target is max. 40Mbps, communication with the PC is connected by Gigabit Ethernet, and 8Mbyte binary files can be downloaded in 6 seconds.

Comparing Time Required for Programming

Communication Speed Between PC and Programmer