Arduino Mega EPROM Programmer Shield

JazzmarazzJazzmarazz
in The Brewery

I am sick and tired of my Willem EPROM burner. I also cannot afford a more expensive one. I have written a bunch of tutorials on making repros and every time someone chimes in with a question, it often has to do with why the burner doesn't work! 


 


I have recently started a project which has given me a lot of experience with the Arduino Mega's Ext. Memory Interface and I believe this would be an excellent opportunity to make a replacement for the Willem and make it a cheaper option at that!


 


My idea is to support all of the 8-bit eprom packages on board, and make a few adapters (or support the Sivava adapters) for any other IC's such as the 16-bit eeproms and maybe even some PICs. 


 


I will need to design an external power supply with GPIO-controlled transistors to enable and disable VPP, and maybe others for example. I want to make this open source too, but I will need help with the PC-side software and some help with the communication from PC-to-arduino. 


 


Lets get started. I will begin by drawing up a simple schematic and board with Eagle, then we can talk about it . I will try to update the OP with all of our progress.  

Comments

  • JazzmarazzJazzmarazz
    Help me figure out the VPP portion guys. We will need to move it around the board depending on the EPROM being programmed. It might be pin 1, it might be pin 22, it may even be another! But only one at a time up and it has to be software controllable.



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  • Jon2887Jon2887
    I love this idea, I'm not very good with board design or Eagle though. Well if you need someone to buy prototypes or help with funding let me know.
  • JazzmarazzJazzmarazz
    Alright, excellent! I am also talking with some folks at other forums and getting better ideas on how to do this. I have changed the board since what I posted above, but only for the better.



    As for changes, i will be using a FET circuit instead of a relay to trigger VPP via software. I may or may not use the DIP switch to move VPP around depending on what chip is inserted. I will also NOT be using the XMEM interface, but rather a more flexible design in which any pin can be reprogrammed to have any purpose, inputs, output, address bit, data bit, etc.



    Doing this will slow down reading and writing, but the thing is running at 16Mhz, so WHO CARES!



    One concern we have is that the voltage regulator may become too hot if connected to a DC source greater than +9v, which it must be to activate the 7812 for VPP. Worst case scenario is taht I have to use a power connector on the shield instead. Not a deal breaker by any means. The other concern is that VPP might be an address or data pin of a different eprom. What that means is VPP could connect directly to the arduino, so I need protection on each pin that has this potential.



    I will update once I figure that part out.



    Thanks for your interest pal!
  • LincolnLincoln
    Just want to say thanks for taking this on and to keep at it. I've been dragging my feet on a gq4x forever because I just don't want to deal with it. Something like this has a lot more appeal.
  • JazzmarazzJazzmarazz
    I would love a GQ-4x, but the price tag ruins it for me. I only read/program something three or four times a year, so I just cannot justify the price tag; however, I have arduino's galore, so a "shield-type" solution is definitely in my price range.
  • GorillazeroGorillazero
    Have you spoke to the guys at assemblergames and/or nesdev?
  • JazzmarazzJazzmarazz
    No, I suppose I ought to register.
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