JPH0715663B2 - Microcomputer program evaluation device and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program evaluation device for a microcomputer that evaluates an application program written in a mask ROM (read only memory for writing information in a manufacturing process).

[Prior Art] With the progress of semiconductor technology in recent years, electronic control devices have come to be used in various devices. Microcomputers are widely used to achieve specific functions that do not require large amounts of data processing. For example, in a remote control transmitter for remote control operation of televisions, VTRs, various timers, temperature control devices, etc., the operation is often performed by a microcomputer.

In such a microcomputer, although the basic operation is the same and the hardware configuration is the same, it may be necessary to operate or perform a specific output in accordance with a signal peculiar to the device in which the microcomputer is mounted. Many. In such a case, the application program written in the internal ROM is rewritten so that a predetermined operation can be performed according to various signals.

Here, when writing an application program in such a ROM, it is necessary to develop the application program according to the required specifications and evaluate whether or not the desired operation is actually performed. The evaluation in the state that the application program in the conventional microcomputer is installed is that the evaluation chip (evaluation chip) for evaluation without ROM is mounted on the piggyback or the evaluation board and stored in the piggyback or the evaluation board. An evaluation chip that can operate an evaluation chip using an existing application program and can be written with an application program called one-time, multi-time, etc., was manufactured, and the application program was evaluated using this chip.

That is, by actually performing various operations on the evaluation board, one time, etc., it is possible to debug the program and evaluate whether a predetermined signal is output.

When the application program is developed in this manner, a mask for writing the application program in the mask ROM of the chip is designed and manufactured, and the microcomputer thus manufactured is used for mass production. .

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, the program itself can be debugged and evaluated in the conventional method of evaluating an application program using an everboard, biggie back, one-time, or the like. However, in a microcomputer that is actually mass-produced, various options are often set in a functional unit that performs the processing. That is, depending on a request from a device (set) using a microcomputer, a pull-up resistor may or may not be needed at the output terminal. Therefore, in a mass-produced microcomputer, the operation is performed with the option set. For this reason, there is a demand for this option to be set as specified even when the application program is evaluated. This is because the operation may not be desired depending on the option settings.

On the other hand, in the case of biggie back or one-time, it is impossible to set such options, unless a plurality of types are created according to the settings or the internal circuit is changed. Also,
The evaluation board has a problem in that the device is large and cannot be directly incorporated into a device to be evaluated for evaluation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is easy to set an option, and a program evaluation device for a microcomputer that can be incorporated into a set using the option to perform operation evaluation. The purpose is to provide.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a device for operating a microcomputer by a predetermined application program and evaluating the application program, in which a PROM is fitted and connected. It has a connection socket, an evaluation chip that is connected to this socket and performs processing according to the operation program supplied from the PROM, and multiple contacts. By connecting these contacts, the circuit settings in the evaluation chip are set for options. It is characterized in that it has a jumper and a board on which a socket for connection, an evaluation chip and a jumper for option setting are formed on the front surface, and IC pins for external connection are formed on the back surface.

Further, the program evaluation method according to the present invention includes a step of inserting a rewritable ROM in which an application program to be evaluated is written into the socket for electrical connection, and connecting the contacts in the option jumper for option connection. Depending on the setting process, the process of connecting the IC pin to the actual device, and the operation on the actual device, the evaluation chip operates using the application program written in the rewritable ROM, and the actual device is operated according to the result. And a step of operating.

[Action]

The program evaluation device for a microcomputer according to the present invention has the configuration as described above, and has a rewritable ROM (for example, E
PROM), and fit it into the socket for connection. Next, the contacts of the option setting jumper are connected and desired options are set.

Then, after mounting the PROM and setting options as described above, the IC pin is inserted into the connection hole of the device to be evaluated, and the actual operation is performed. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the application program by causing the actual device to operate with the option set.

[Embodiment] A microcomputer program evaluation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the embodiment, and all members are formed on the substrate 10. The board 10 is made of the same insulating material as a board used for a general printed board such as glass epoxy.

A socket 12 is formed on the left side of the board 10 in the drawing. The socket 12 is made of an insulating material and includes a support frame 12a bonded to the substrate 10 and a plurality of connection terminals 12b formed on the inner surface of the support frame. Here, the inner peripheral portion of the support frame 12a is an EPROM fitted here.
It corresponds to the outer shape (not shown). Also, the connection terminal 12
b are formed at the positions corresponding to the connection terminals formed on the outer peripheral portion of the EPROM. Therefore, when the EPROM is fitted and connected to the socket, the EPROM and the microcomputer program evaluation device are electrically connected.

Next, the evaluation chip 20 is mounted on the central portion of the substrate 10. This evaluation chip 20 removes the mask ROM for writing the application program, and operates according to the data from the EPROM fitted in the ROM socket 12, and only the mask ROM has been removed. The part has the same function as that of a mass-produced microcomputer.

Then, in this example, the evaluation chip 20 is attached to the substrate 10 by a wire bonding method, a TAB technique, or the like. Therefore, the wiring pattern formed on the surface of the substrate 10 and the evaluation chip are directly electrically connected.

An option setting jumper 30 is formed on the right side of the substrate 10. This optional jumper
In the substrate 30, a plurality of conductive terminals (pads) 30a are exposed and formed on the substrate 10, and by connecting these pads 30a to each other, an optional setting in the evaluation chip 20 can be performed. That is, by connecting the pad 30a with, for example, solder or the like, it is possible to set options such as connecting a pull-up resistor to a desired circuit that operates the evaluation chip. Therefore, the pads 30a are provided corresponding to the number of options required depending on the type of the evaluation chip 20.

On the other hand, on the bottom surface side of the substrate 10, a plurality of IC pins 40 are aligned and arranged. That is, the microcomputer is usually inserted into the connection hole of the device for electrical connection with the device, and the IC pin 40 is formed so as to correspond to the connection hole provided in the device.

When using such a program evaluation device for a microcomputer, first, a desired application program is written in the EPROM. Then, the option setting based on the specification is performed by connecting the pad 30a of the option setting jumper 30. Then place the EPROM in socket 12
The IC pin 40 is inserted and connected to the target device in this state. Then, various operations are performed on the target set, and a test is performed as to whether or not desired processing can be performed.

Therefore, the application program can be evaluated depending on whether or not the target set performs a desired operation. In addition, in this embodiment, since the program can be evaluated with the option setting according to the specifications, the program can be evaluated under the same conditions as the microcomputer actually mass-produced, and the reliability of the evaluation can be increased.

Further, since the option can be set by the option setting jumper 30, it is possible to deal with various options with a single microcomputer program evaluation device, and quick program evaluation can be achieved. Furthermore, according to this example, since various members are installed on the substrate, it is possible to manufacture without the need for a dedicated die unlike a biggie back, the development cost is low, and the development period can be shortened.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the program evaluation device for a microcomputer of the present invention, various options can be set by the option setting jumper, and various options can be dealt with by a simple operation, and An inexpensive device can be provided. Further, even when the number of IC pins 40 is small, it is possible to provide the evaluation device with the same configuration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a microcomputer program evaluation device according to the present invention. 10 …… Board 12 …… ROM socket 20 …… EVA chip 30 …… Option setting jumper 40 …… IC pin

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A device for operating a microcomputer by a predetermined application program to evaluate the application program, comprising a connection socket to which a rewritable ROM is fitted and connected, and a rewritable ROM connected to this socket. An EVA chip that performs processing according to the operation program supplied from the product, and multiple contact points.By connecting these contact points, an option setting jumper that sets the circuit in the evaluation chip, and sockets for these connection, the EVA chip, and the option setting A program evaluation device for a microcomputer, comprising: a substrate on which a semiconductor jumper is formed on the front surface, and an IC pin for external connection is formed on the rear surface. 2. A rewritable ROM socket, an evaluation chip that operates according to a supplied application program, and an option jumper that has a plurality of contacts and that sets options by connecting the contacts. A program evaluation method using a microcomputer program evaluation device having an IC pin for connecting to an actual device that actually operates, wherein a rewritable ROM in which an application program to be evaluated is written is stored in the socket. The plug-in electrical connection step, the step of connecting the contacts in the above option jumper to set the option, the step of connecting the IC pin to the actual device, and the rewriting of the evaluation chip according to the operation in the actual device Operates using the application program written in ROM Evaluation method of a program, which comprises the step of operating the actual device in accordance with the result.