View source for Electronics/TL866A

[[Category:Tools_and_Equipment]]
[[Category:Electronics]]
[[Category:DevelopmentTool]]
{{Equipment
| title = Programmer
| description = Universal USB electronic device programmer
| manufacturer = Autoelectric 
| model = Mini Pro TL866A
| image = TL866A.jpeg
| owner = On loan from Michael Walsh
| induction = No 
| rfid = No
| more_link = 
}}
== The Basics ==

The Autoelectric Mini Pro TL866A is a universal device programmer which allows you to program electronicly programmable devices. Devices include PIC microprocessors, Atmel microprocessors, EPROMs, EEPROMS, Flash etc. This is the A version of the programmer which allows ICSP programming from a header at one end.

The device can program 5V and 3.3V devices in its 40 pin [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_insertion_force ZIF] socket, or on adaptor boards.

== Specification ==

* Connection Type: USB A (computer) to USB B (TL866A)
* Operating System: Windows, for MiniPro 6.85
* Firmware Version: 03.2.86
* Hacks: Do not hack
* Issues: TBD
* Manufacturers website: http://www.autoelectric.cn/
** MiniPro software (choose TL866, not TL88II): http://www.autoelectric.cn/EN/download.html
* Purchased from: http://www.datahardware.co.uk/
* Alternative location of English manual and software: http://www.datahardware.co.uk/

== Installing == 

Note: The programmer requires the same version firmware as Windows software. You will most likely need to use the latest version software due to other users having updated the programmer firmware to the latest version. 

* Download software from the manufacturers or the alternative website 
* Unplug the programmer
* Install the driver
* Plug in the programmer and allow the driver to be fully installed
* Run the programmer software
* When software is first run, you may need to upgrade the firmware in the unit. DO NOT POWER OFF DURING THIS OPERATION 
* If upgrade fails, the software will instruct you to unplug the device 
* The unit is known to operate from a Mac running a Virtual Machine with Windows XP, but at the time of writing, the firmware needed upgrading via a Windows machine.

== Basic Operation ==

[[File:Minipro-reading-pic.png|thumb|MiniPro reading a Microchip PIC]]

* Select the device type
* If the specific device you have is not available, its possible there is a similar part available. Select the nearest fit. Adjust voltages if required in the drop down items
* Load the software which you wish to program
* Blank check the device (if applicable)
* If not blank, erase the device. Electrically erasable device can be erased, UV erasable devices need a seperate eraser
* Program the device
* You can manually verify the device by selecting the verify button
* If the Check ID fails, you can untick this check box.

== Induction ==

None required.  

== Useful References ==

* Discussion: http://minipro.txt.si/
* Reverse engineered schematic: http://minipro.txt.si/