Best way to program SMD PICAXE chip

[nitrous2000]

Hi folks,

Is there a "typical" way to upload a program to an SMD PICAXE chip?
The application requires a minimal foot print so point-to-point wiring is my ultimate goal.

Is there a temporary breakout board to use? A chip adapter?

Thanks

Nitrous

 

[srnet]

The best way, by a very long margin, is to build in a programming circuit to your design.

Yes you can get sockets that allow you to clamp a SMT device in place and you could then pre-program that way, but they are not cheap.

Is your layout really so constrained that you cant find space for 3 small pads and the two resistors, thats all you need to build in the programming connection ?

 

[17b]

Take a look here:
http://www.fc00.de/regler.htm

Maybe its possible to modify these adapter to your needs.

 

[tony_g]

i go between a smd soic14 adapter prior to mounting them on the board or use an smd style micro jst 3 pin connector in my circuits for updating my code on them
its reliable so far and works very well

 

[John West]

Tony, it looks like you have the programming resistor circuit mounted off-board. Do you add a pull-down resistor to serial-in after you're done programming?

 

[westaust55]

As there is a need for the SerialIn pin to be pulled to Gnd for normal PICAXE operation at least until a DISCONNECT command, therefore can not a couple of SMD resistors be included and a small 3-pin header which would then provide on board programming access for initial and any future update program downloads.

 

[Adamey]

^ This. I always count on the need to do software updates so include the ability to program in my circuit board design.

 

[tony_g]

Tony, it looks like you have the programming resistor circuit mounted off-board. Do you add a pull-down resistor to serial-in after you're done programming?

for this circuit the serial in pin is also being used as a general purpose input so the resistors are on the download connector, i also have another one just the same minus the on board resistors for a handfull of circuits that dont use the serial in but use the same connector, i seem to be always making smd style boards at the moment lol.

westy, i have done your mentioned method on a few boards using a jumper to select between pulldown/download, im using all the pins on this 14m2 so dont need it this time but when doing smd especially its definately a good idea to have the circuit.

 

[nitrous2000]

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to order an SOIC clip to DIP adapter from eBay.
I looks like the simplest way to go.
Nitrous