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Programming the FT230 Chip

Has anyone built a product that uses the FT230 chip and requires it to be programmed?

I'm looking at their "self powered configuration" (section 6.2 of the data sheet). It looks easy enough to implement, but it requires that the internal MPT memory be programmed.

Presumably that is done by talking to the chip via USB, which means that it has to work correctly, which won't happen when it is self-powered.

So is this done with a fixture in which you program chips? Is there some clever way to make a board so that this feature is boot-strapped?

TIA -- I need to slap one of these on a board, it needs to work right, and it needs to do so in the hands of a customer that doesn't seem to have a huge amount of experience with wrangling board assembly.

--

Tim Wescott 
Wescott Design Services 
http://www.wescottdesign.com
Reply to
Tim Wescott
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I don't think it matters, bus powered gets allocated default a

100mA unless it asks for more so it will work even if you are self powered and use zero

I think in the only case where 0mA/100mA it would make a difference is if you plugged it into a hub that had already allocated all its power to other devices

so plugging and programming I don't think will be a problem

-Lasse

Reply to
Lasse Langwadt Christensen

In the recommended circuit, the chip gets power from the board, not USB. It only knows that USB has been connected because it sees it happen on an input pin -- which must be configured via USB before it works.

--

Tim Wescott 
Wescott Design Services 
http://www.wescottdesign.com
Reply to
Tim Wescott

but before you program it as self powered it uses Vcc so connect usb then power up should work

-Lasse

Reply to
Lasse Langwadt Christensen

Disclaimer:- PLEASE NOTE - The use of some of these utilities by an end user may result in a device being rendered useless.

FT_PROG is available for download...

Reply to
Spehro Pefhany

I figured that out after I posted. Sometimes in order to figure out the fairly obvious, I need to expose myself to public embarrassment.

I think I'll order some chips and try, though.

--

Tim Wescott 
Wescott Design Services 
http://www.wescottdesign.com
Reply to
Tim Wescott

FWIW, I've been playing with an FT245R breakout; it came preset for operation, plug and go (also, the breakout has connection to USB 5V if needed). Don't know offhand how similar its USB side interface is.

Tim

-- Deep Friar: a very philosophical monk. Website:

formatting link

Reply to
Tim Williams

Hmm, next time you could just take off your pants and run around the block a few times. :^) But seriously, I've started half a dozen postings to SED, only to figure out my problem in the middle of it. The act of trying to explain the problem accurately to a intelligent audience is often enough to show me my mistake.

George H. (I bless SED for being that intelligent audience.)

Reply to
George Herold

Yup. Now that I have a layout hunchback, I have somebody to double-check my schematics, which is also very helpful. It's amazing what you can overlook when you've spent too much time staring at it--mostly transcription errors, i.e. the schematic equivalent of typos.

The alternative is to put it in the drawer for a week and look at it again, but schedule pressure doesn't usually allow that.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs 
Principal Consultant 
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC 
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics 

160 North State Road #203 
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 

hobbs at electrooptical dot net 
http://electrooptical.net
Reply to
Phil Hobbs

I just found one for the FT230, at Mouser -- and ordered it, plus a few extra chips in case I mis-program something in the process of learning.

--

Tim Wescott 
Wescott Design Services 
http://www.wescottdesign.com
Reply to
Tim Wescott

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