FYI Xgecu TL866II and T48 can't program FM16W08 FRAM chips - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2022, 03:50:38 am
content: 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/N2z07nJ5GDsI 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.

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2022, 03:24:23 pm
content: 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/

author: Qw3rtzuiop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2022, 04:42:46 pm
content: I programmed a FM16W08 on a T56 without any problems.

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2022, 06:21:52 pm
content: Quote from: Qw3rtzuiop on December 09, 2022, 04:42:46 pmFantastic 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.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2022, 06:50:47 pm
content: http://forums.xgecu.com/redirect.php?tid=19&goto=lastpostyou see some sockets pinoutsnormally soic sockets are 1 to 1 pins in the main socket, in many case you start from the bottom going up

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2022, 07:05:37 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on December 09, 2022, 06:50:47 pmI 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 softwareTried the programmer in direct connect USB3 and USB2 sockets, no dice.Verified Xgecu 28pin SOIC adapter for shorts/opensProgrammed/verified whole AM29LV040B 32 pin PLCC in PLCC to DIP adapter with various different filesMultiple, 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/N2z07nJ5GDsThe programming partially worked, so about 75% of the values were read back correctly during the verify step.

author: Qw3rtzuiop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2022, 08:27:09 pm
content: Quote from: mattaw on December 09, 2022, 06:21:52 pmIt 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.

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2022, 08:57:51 pm
content: 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.

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2022, 10:32:50 pm
content: Log below, but latest firmware and software 12.45 still does not work.No response from tech email 532007590@QQ.com from their websitehttp://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 : T48Device : FM16W08 @SOIC28*************************************************1 Programmer Connected.*************************************************Device 1: T48 [TL866-3G] Ver: 00.01.20USB POWER VOLTAGE: 04.93VUSB SPEED MODE: HS 480MHZ*************************************************FM16W08 @SOIC28Memory Size : 0x00002000

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2023, 03:22:59 am
content: [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.

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2023, 03:32:06 pm
content: Quote from: Qw3rtzuiop on December 09, 2022, 04:42:46 pmFYI 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.]

author: Qw3rtzuiop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2023, 06:09:32 pm
content: Quote from: mattaw on January 04, 2023, 03:32:06 pmNo external psu was used. The software version was probably 11.10. But i think you cant downgrade the firmware on the device itself.

author: mattaw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2023, 04:12:01 pm
content: 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.

author: Fractal
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2023, 02:41:39 pm
content: 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

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2024, 08:18:04 pm
content: 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?

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2024, 11:20:26 pm
content: 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.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2024, 12:50:25 pm
content: 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.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2024, 01:37:38 pm
content: I have been able to program FM16W08 chips in my TL866II.I useadapters I designedand use them to replace DS1225Y NVRAM and they program and work fine.

author: MiDi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 04:49:26 pm
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on January 26, 2024, 01:37:38 pmCould you please give a bit more details?Did you use the TL866II or the TL866II-Plus?Did you program it as DS1225Y or FM16W08?With my TL866II-Plus with latest FW 4.2.132 & XGecu 12.67 had same error as reported, first and last byte always wrong, rest fine.Edit:The error was due to using adapter board for DS1220 with an adapter back to FM16W08 pinout, but adress lines A11/12 still tied to GND (e.g. Ians adapter).Solution in following post.

author: MiDi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2024, 12:47:21 am
content: To answer the question myself, at least TL866II-Plus with latest FW (FW 4.2.132 & XGecu 12.67) can program at least FM16W08 & FM18W08 w/o errors.Programming e.g. FM16W08 as a DS1220 (Adapter board) does not work:Quote from: Tektron on January 11, 2017, 06:12:07 pmIf there is additional space on the board, there is the option to make a hybrid adapter to switch between FM16W08 and DS1220 Pinout:

author: DH7DN
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2024, 11:33:09 am
content: Hello MiDi,thanks alot for your posts. I've ran into same issues a while ago. I couldn't program the already adapted FM16W08 with my TL866II-Plus. Your workaround will fix this issueI bought a SOIC28 fixture froman auction siteso I could program the FM16W08 and FM18W08 directly. After programming and testing of the FRAM, I'd solder it to the adapter PCB.Just for the sake of completion, I've added some pictures and a screenshot to confirm that the FM16W08 FRAMcanbe programmed by a TL866II-Plus (XGecu v12.50, TL866II-Plus Firmware 4.02.132).

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2024, 05:58:09 pm
content: Hi all,When I was looking to use an FM16W08 on my 3458A I realized once the SMD FRAM IC was soldered to my custom Pcb I then wouldn't be able to program it again without removing the SMD IC from my adaptor board, so I created an adaptor-adaptor PCB that can be used.Per the photo below, the red Pcb just plugs into the yellow one and can therefore be used with a programmer......subject you can't address the full capacity of the FM16W08.......but I wasn't using it anyways.Info here:https://www.ianjohnston.com/index.php/videos/160-video-blog-132-3458ahttps://youtu.be/cAA1TCvwhuw?t=483Ian.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2025, 04:11:46 pm
content: I'm currently having trouble using the adapter-adapter board. My T48 programmer is able to program the FM16W08 and FM18W08 directly no problem, but when using the FM16W08 - DS1220 adapter and the programming adapter adapter, nothing works. No data is written to the FRAM at all. (I tried programming as an FM16W08 and DS1220, both don't work at all).Is there any trick to get this to program correctly?

author: MiDi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 10:07:22 pm
content: Had the same issue with TL866II using the FM16W08 - DS1220 adapter and the programming adapter, so no clue how Ian did it.So i made a hybrid adapter where one can switch between DS1220 and FM16W08 pinout:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/fyi-xgecu-tl866ii-and-t48-cant-program-fm16w08-fram-chips/msg5716707/#msg5716707

author: F1GWR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2025, 10:00:59 pm
content: Hi,As an update, I'm using a T48 with XGPRO 12.90.I can read an DS1225 and program an FM16W08.HTH