is it possible to hack the SoFi technology SP8 programmer  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: ali6x944
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 03:13:04 pm
content: HI everyone,is it possible to hack the SoFi technology SP8 programmer to work with 27 series EPROMs?I know it is kind of weird knowing that the SP8 is a serial programmer, i don't need to program them, i only need to read them ...thanks a lot for all the help

author: daveshah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 03:31:32 pm
content: Probably not; parallel devices are so easy to read it'd probably be easier to set up an Arduino Mega or another dev board of your choice with enough IO to do it.

author: ali6x944
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 05:40:10 pm
content: Can I do it with an uno?

author: daveshah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 06:23:35 pm
content: Quote from: ali6x944 on January 14, 2017, 05:40:10 pmThe Uno has 20 I/O pins in total I think; and the EPROM will need A+8 IO lines to read - where A is the number of address lines - as CS can be hardwired low. This means with the Uno alone you could read anything up to and including a 27C32. For larger devices you would need to add hardware such as an IO expander; shift registers; or a counter on the address lines to increase the number of available IO.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 07:58:54 pm
content: I like the IO Expander idea for the address lines. Personally, I prefer SPI but Microchip makes both SPI and I2C 16 bit expandershttp://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/21952b.pdf

author: ali6x944
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2017, 03:02:09 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on January 14, 2017, 07:58:54 pmparallel expansion?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2017, 08:13:21 am
content: 3 octal latches, a latch line for each and recycle the data bus, and you can read anything up to the maximum they ever made EProm in. You just need a /cs line for the prom to read it, and this only needs one port as data bus, and 4 bits off the others to drive the logic. Add in 3 extra lines and a high voltage generator to supply Vpp and you can write to them as well, and it is random read or write as well. Another 2 lines for selecting Vdd and you can verify fully as well, or check for bit rot.

author: ali6x944
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2017, 10:51:59 am
content: I will see in my parts box and see...I think I had an octal D latch, and some of the parts u mentioned...

author: ali6x944
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2017, 11:26:18 am
content: Are 74ls374 ok for the octal latches?For the hi programming voltage l will use a computer psu..Any other things I might add?I also I contacted sofi about and they replied by saying they can't do anything about it...

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2017, 08:04:42 pm
content: Quote from: ali6x944 on January 21, 2017, 11:26:18 amAccording to the datasheet I just read, the logic input 1 voltage for the latch can be as low as 2V. It will also work with the EPROM. So, the 3.3V Arduino can send signals to these devices.Where you might have a problem is the fact that the EPROM output voltage can be higher than a 3.3V Arduino wants to see. You could try putting some resistors in series with the data signals. I don't know what size and I wouldn't recommend it anyway.So, get a 5V Arduino and keep everything at the same level. This Pro Mini is 5V and there are others:https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11113For this board, you need some kind of programming adapter like this:https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9716Notice that the device puts 5V out onto the programming header so it will power the Arduino from USB if you wish. There's a jumper to select that voltage, see the schematic.I might not use that 5V supply working with a box of parts like this. I would rather protect my PC. So, I would cut the jumper (or somehow prevent the adapter from providing +5) and power the project with a 5V wall wart.

author: ali6x944
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2017, 07:38:13 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on January 21, 2017, 08:04:42 pmI have a USB to UART converter but it is not a FTDI, mine is a silicon labs CP2102, I think it will be ok..For the arduino can I use the bare chip?

author: ali6x944
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2017, 04:22:11 am
content: I also bought a clone arduino uno, it could replace both the usb to uart bridge and the chip I guess...

author: ali6x944
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2017, 08:59:21 am
content: Now what is next??