Re: Microprocessor question
From: Gareth Magennis (sound.service_at_btconnect.com)
Date: 10/27/04
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Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 09:59:56 +0000 (UTC)
It is not beyond feasible to build a test jig for each microprocessor
family.
For example, I've been messing about learning the 8051 processor family. I
have an EPROM / Flash programmer I bought new from ebay for about $45 which
will program almost everything. My "Test Jig" consists of a prototyping
breadboard into which I've plugged a simple power supply, the processor
(with onboard flash memory), one crystal and 2 capacitors (for the clock)
and a reset switch. You can write a trivial looping program to output a
square wave, program the processor using your PC, use the maximum crystal
frequency, and see if you get a square wave. For processors without onboard
program space you can add an EPROM to the breadboard and blow that instead.
This jig should work for all processors in the 8051 family of the same
package (number of pins). This will indicate the processor can run a basic
function at maximum rated speed. There could be other faults of course
(falty onboard RAM) but it sounds like this simple test is what you need.
If all this sounds too daunting, get a Microprocessor Programming book and
spend a few evenings reading it, and you may find it's well within your own
capability. This isn't rocket science despite appearances.
Gareth.
"gary s" <gary_s@REMexcite.com> wrote in message
news:qfetn0tohn45q767g4okh70obnol7g9a1f@4ax.com...
>I have a question that I hope someone on here can answer, or give me
> an insight:
>
> 1. Is there any way to do a quick check on a microprocessor to
> determine if it's "alive"? I realize manufacturers use million-dollar
> testers for functional testing, but is there a way to "generically" do
> a quick check on the bench using standard test equipment?
>
> 2. Ditto for speed? How can one determine if a microprocessor will run
> at its marked speed on a bench?
>
> 3. If there is a "generic" feature set that is common to most
> microprocessors, and what might that be?
>
> 4. How can one check for this - as far as hardware and software
> requirements?
>
> I guess I am looking for a "generic" test setup that can do something
> like a bare-bones electrical QC on different microprocessor families.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Gary
>
>
>
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