Help! Need to program EPS448 / SAM448 Legacy chips - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GrantM
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 18, 2018, 03:48:04 am
content: Hi Guys,I'm needing to program some EPS448 (from Altera) Microsequencer chips, which I believe are the same as the SAM448 from WSI. This is for a legacy application and these chips are circa early '90's and while I have the blank chips, the datasheet and the program, none of my universal programmers will program them.Data I/O put out a number of universal programmers that will do these chips, but I can't find one that has the right adaptors (DIP) or includes the software.This link shows all of the Data I/O models that support this chip. The models are listed down the left side and if you click on that model it will show the required adaptors and software version in the box near the top.http://www.dataio.com/Support/Device-Search?ca=1455%3BAltera%7CEPS448%27Altera used to put out a 'PLDS-SAM Programming System' for them, but suffice to say they aren't common these days.WSI put out a few versions of their MagicPro programmers, which can be found, but nobody seems to have the Softwareor PC interface cards for these.If you can help it would be greatly appreciated!Thanks

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2018, 07:34:24 pm
content: Hi,What kind of file do you have: .pof, SAM+PLUS source file, jedec (I don't know if jedec is a possible option)I could maybe get the missing hardware to program EPS448 with my Altera hardware, but the main problem is the software: SAM+PLUS or maybe an old version Max+Plus II?In any case, this may be very difficult.Is it for an industrial or a DIY project?Regards,Marc

author: GrantM
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 21, 2018, 11:31:05 am
content: It's a .JED file. The Datasheet only lists the PLDS-SAM system (with SAM+Plus Software) as the programmer/software required. I think maybe the Max+ might be a bit too modern for it, though I don't know. These were listed as to be discontinued with a last shipment date of 31 Dec 1996 and the same newsletter mentions MAX+PlusII, so I they were still around in that sort of era, but that's not to say that Max+PlusII can handle them.It's for a small legacy industrial application.

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2018, 07:17:37 pm
content: Hi,I have an old ISA PC with Altera LP6 board + PLE3-12A, I can have a PLED448 DIP (but unfortunately not for free) -> Programming Hardware OKI also have used EPS448 for the tests.You need to find a working SAM+PLUS software. You will need friends in RussiaHere is what I can offer you.Regards,Marc

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2018, 01:10:09 pm
content: Did you find a solution?

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2018, 12:38:41 am
content: Gidday. There may be a faint hope - I had the complete set of Altera (TI) programming adapters for just about every part they had.Unfortunately, I gave it all away app 3-4 yrs ago at a local Hamfest swap-meet. No idea if the member still kept them, but I'll post on their BBS.It's always a tough call on keeping legacy development systems / programmers. Many of these cost 10s $1,000s $S back then.

author: GrantM
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 05, 2018, 01:39:00 pm
content: Thanks Marc,Sorry, I somehow missed your post.So are you saying you have the hardware, but no Software for it? If so, are you wanting to sell it and if so, how much? I have an old ISA PC, so I don't need the PC. I have the original source that I want to program, just no way of getting it in the chip.Cheers,Grant

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2018, 01:34:10 pm
content: Sorry Grant, but I don't sell this difficult to find hardware, I keep it to service old systems.I know where to buy the EPS448 Adapter because I'm interesting in getting one.The software to program the EPS448 is still missing: SAM+PLUSIf you find me a working copy of SAM+PLUS, I could program your EPS448s for free.In other cases, I will ask you for a small contribution to finance the purchase of these old equipment.Regards,Marc

author: GrantM
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 07, 2018, 07:08:35 am
content: Thanks Digsys, anything you can offer would be greatly appreciated.Marcopolo - I can understand why you want to hold on to the programmer, so no problem. I don't have the software either (the usual problem with buying old programmers!), but I'll try to track it down. I have a very small number of EPS448, but if we can find the software I might be able to spare a couple, I'd just have to check how many I have.

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2018, 07:19:03 am
content: Could you send me your .jed file?It is possible that I could give a try this weekend.

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2018, 04:10:48 pm
content: EPS448 programmed!

author: zmetzing
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2018, 03:11:53 am
content: It's somewhat amazing that, if it ever existed, someone on the Internet knows about it. :-)I happened upon my stash of old Altera parts: EPM5032DC-25, EPS448DC-25, and an oddball that I can't find any information about -- EP6000M883B.Anyone have a data sheet for the latter? What is it?If anyone (hobby) needs an EPS448 programmed, I have a DATA I/O 2900 that claims to be able to program it.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2018, 05:30:08 pm
content: I think you mean EP600DM883B? It's a military version of EP600, information on that can be found here:http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/components/altera/_dataBooks/1990_Altera_Data_Book.pdf

author: zmetzing
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2018, 08:20:36 pm
content: You are absolutely right. The font makes the "D" very difficult to discern from the "0"s.