Programming device including wireless communication device

Abstract

The programming device (300) comprises: a central control device (3) configured to manage programming of a plurality of external devices to be programmed (PD1-PDN) and so to store a plurality of programming data, a plurality of programming processes of the devices to be programmed (PD1-PDN), and a plurality of configuration parameters; a plurality of peripheral control devices (AM1-AMN) each connectable to an associated external device to be programmed (PD1-PDN) and so as to receive from the central control device (3) a corresponding subset of the plurality of programming data, a corresponding subset of the plurality of programming processes and a corresponding subset of the plurality of configuration parameters intended for a corresponding external device to be programmed (PD1-PDN). The device further comprises: a first wireless telecommunications device (4) connected to the central control device (3) and so to radiate wireless signals corresponding to the plurality of programming data and the plurality of configuration parameters; a plurality of second wireless remote communication devices (WM1-WMN), each connected to one of said peripheral control devices (AM1-AMN) and each intended to receive a corresponding subset of a plurality of programming data and a corresponding subset of a plurality of configuration parameters by means of said wireless signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention herein relates to programming apparatus for a programmable apparatus, such as but not limited to an apparatus usable in an In-System Programming (ISP) system. Background Art

[0002] Distributed programming devices for in-system programming (ISP) are known, which provide a coordinating central module arranged in the main part of the device and a plurality of programming peripheral modules arranged in interchangeable parts to operate close to the programmable ISP device. The ISP device is assembled on a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) electronic board.

[0003] Furthermore, the main part of the device is provided with appropriate electrical and electronic components which allow the general functions of the entire system to be implemented: power supply, machine management and other specific functions.

[0004] The interchangeable parts are combined with the main part of the device in such a way as to allow the management of a specific type of electronic board PCBA.

[0005] Generally speaking, the interchangeable part is arranged to manage one or more PCBA boards, which in turn house one or more programmable devices ISP, even different from each other. Once the interchangeable part is connected to the main device from a mechanical, electrical and electronic point of view, it connects this device with the ISP device assembled on the PCBA board by means of a contact system (such as a "bed of nails", "pogo pins" or other) to perform the required programming process.

[0006] The contribution of the interchangeable part can be passive and therefore limited to pure connection to the ISP device via wiring, connectors and contact systems; or it can be active and therefore provide more components in the interchangeable part, giving it functionalities for specific applications or improving the functionality provided by the main part of the available device.

[0007] Typically, the second option represents the application of a distributed module programming system ISP, in which the coordinating central module is installed in the main part of the device and the programming peripheral modules are installed inside the interchangeable parts.

[0008] It is important to note that the arrangement of the peripheral modules inside the interchangeable parts of the machine allows:

[0009] The number and type of peripheral modules installed are selected according to the specific application associated with the corresponding interchangeable parts and therefore according to the number and type of ISP devices assembled on the PCBA board;

[0010] Positioning the programming peripheral module close to the programmable ISP device shortens the connection length and thus significantly improves the signal quality, giving the opportunity to use the highest communication frequencies.

[0011] The connection between the central module of the programming device and the peripheral modules takes place via suitable wiring which, in some cases, provides high-frequency transmission lines (USB, Ethernet LAN, ...) which ensure the possibility of exchanging data and commands at high speed. More specifically, this connection is achieved by a connection consisting of one or more high-frequency differential wired transmission / reception lines.

[0012] Document WO2020250017 describes a programming device for an electrical device of the above-mentioned type.

[0013] The Applicant has observed that achieving the connection between the central module and the peripheral modules results in a complex and expensive process requiring the following elements:

[0014] There is sufficient wiring in the main part of the device to connect the central module to the areas close to the interchangeable modules: the wiring consists of a certain number of cables of appropriate length to support the required transmission speed; the more peripheral modules are added, the more the number of cables increases, and thus the size of the connection and its cost increase;

[0015] Adequate connection systems between the main part of the device and the interchangeable parts: the plug-in connectors that allow the introduction of signals inside the interchangeable parts are becoming increasingly expensive and mechanically cumbersome, with increasingly high performance requirements in terms of the frequency of the signals to be transmitted (which in many cases they may not support) and the minimum number of connection cycles supported by the connection system; moreover, once the connection system is defined and characterized for the main part of the device both in terms of the type of connector and the maximum number of peripheral modules supported, it cannot be extended across all the interchangeable parts assembled in the device;

[0016] There is sufficient wiring inside the interchangeable part to connect the connection system with the peripheral modules: the peripheral modules installed in the interchangeable part must be connected to the connectors via a specific number of cables, which must be of appropriate length to support the required transmission speed; the more peripheral modules are added, the more the number of cables increases, and this leads to an increase in both the connection size and its cost; in many cases, the available space inside the interchangeable part may be limited. Summary of the invention

[0017] The object of the invention here is to propose a programming device of the type which provides a central control device and a plurality of peripheral control devices, the connection mode of which is less complex and cumbersome than the above-mentioned known prior art programming devices.

[0018] The invention is hereby directed to a programming device as defined in claim 1 and to specific embodiments of the programming device as described in the dependent claims 2 to 13. Furthermore, the invention is hereby directed to a programming system as described in claim 14 and to specific embodiments of the programming system as defined in claims 15 and 16. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 An embodiment of a programming system for a device to be programmed is schematically shown;

[0020] Figure 2 An example of a box body of a programming management device that can be used by the programming system is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 An example of the interior of a box of a programming execution device included in the programming system is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of assembling a management device and an execution device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 An embodiment of a programming system 400 is schematically shown, wherein the programming system comprises a programming device 300 and one or more devices to be programmed PD 1 -PD N .

[0024] The programming device 300 comprises a management device 1 (or a coordinating central module) and a programming execution device 2 (also referred to as an interchangeable part). The programming execution device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "execution device 2" for the sake of simplicity) is connected to the management device 1 and the device to be programmed PD in terms of data transmission / reception, information and / or commands. 1 -PD N It should be noted that the programming device 300 may also include a programming execution device in addition to the device 2 (i.e., the interchangeable part) and dedicated to another group of devices to be programmed (i.e., devices to be programmed related to other applications). Therefore, it is possible to provide a method of using more than one programming execution device instead of Figure 1 The programming execution device shown in .

[0025] For example, the programming device 300 may be a distributed programming system of the In-System Programming (ISP) type, i.e. a system in which programming of a component occurs while the component itself is mounted on its own circuit board. As already outlined, the ISP device is assembled on a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) electronic board.

[0026] The programming device 300 can also be used for non-ISP programming, that is, programming an "offline" device that is not assembled on a PCBA. In this case, the device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N Arranged in an associated socket module. A socket module is an interlocking mechanism that clamps the device to be programmed and allows the pins of the device to contact the device performing the programming.

[0027] In addition, the programming system 400 may be integrated with a device that allows the programming device PD to be 1 -PD N And the related PCBA board implementation test function.

[0028] For the purpose of this description, the term "programming a device" refers to programming (writing to a device) and other incidental processes, such as un- / initializing a device, verifying correct un- / initialization of a device, verifying programming (reading from a device), etc. Similarly, the term "device to be programmed" refers to a device that is the subject of programming.

[0029] Device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N Each of the programmable devices PD is an integrated circuit provided with a volatile or non-volatile memory. 1 -PD N It can be one of the following devices: PROM memory (Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM memory (Erasable PROM), EEPROM memory (Electrically Erasable PROM), NOR / NAND flash memory, microprocessor / microcontroller (which may include different types of memory), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0030] Also like Figure 2 As shown, the management device 1 comprises a central control device 3 (CU) and a wireless telecommunication device 4 (WM).

[0031] The central control device 3 includes a processing unit and a memory (volatile and non-volatile), and it can be a computer, a microprocessor, a microcontroller or other configurable processing device, such as an FPGA. For example, the central control device 3 may include one of the following devices: a SOC (system on chip) device, a SOC-FPGA, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or other devices with similar functions and volatile and / or non-volatile storage devices.

[0032] The wireless telecommunication device 4 comprises a transceiver adapted to receive / send radio signals, i.e. electromagnetic waves providing appropriately coded information at radio frequencies (frequencies between 0 and 300 GHz). For example, the wireless telecommunication device 4 may be adapted to be connected to a non-wired network, and in particular it may use Wi-Fi technology. According to a specific example, a wireless local area network Wi-Fi 802.11ac module may be used, which ensures a transmission speed of up to 400 Mb / s (i.e. 50 MB / s) when the signal propagation environment permits. With this type of communication system, even a large number of units can be managed in a standard, dynamic and flexible manner as part of a wireless network.

[0033] The wireless telecommunication device 4 may be provided with an integrated antenna (not shown in the figure) for communicating with the execution device 2. Another embodiment using an external antenna of the wireless telecommunication device 4 will be described below.

[0034] The central control device 3 and the wireless telecommunication device 4 both communicate with each other via a high-speed connection 5 such as, for example, a USB connection or other connection. According to a particular embodiment, both the central control device 3 and the wireless telecommunication device 4 are housed in the same first box module 6 .

[0035] The management device 1 is also provided with appropriate electrical and electronic components which allow the general functions of the programming system 400 to be implemented: power supply, management from outside the system itself, and other specific functions. These other components are Figure 1 It is schematically represented as an ELTR block.

[0036] Moreover, according to a particular example, the management device 1 is housed in a first box 7 , advantageously a metal box, so as to provide adequate protection for the device itself.

[0037] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in the example, the ELTR block is arranged inside the first box body 7, while the first box body module 6 is arranged on a shelf 11 (such as an upper wall) of the first box body 7; such a shelf 11 can then be covered by a closing element (not shown).

[0038] According to a possible embodiment example, the following components are arranged on the shelf 11 of the first box 7: a partition wall 12 and two parallel guides 13 , which are orthogonal to the partition wall 12 , the function of which will be explained below.

[0039] The execution device 2 includes one or more peripheral control devices AM 1 -AM N Each peripheral control device is associated with the device to be programmed PD 1 -PD NConnected. Peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N The central control device 3 can be implemented similarly to the above-mentioned central control device. In particular, each peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N It can be one of the following devices: SOC, SOC-FPGA, FPGA, ASIC or other devices with similar functions, which are placed next to volatile and / or non-volatile storage devices.

[0040] It should be noted that each peripheral control device AM forming part of the execution device 2 1 -AM N The type is taken into account for the relevant device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N The programming system 400 will be provided with different execution devices 2, which are designed to run on different PCBA boards, which in turn communicate with the device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N Thus, the programming execution device 2 constitutes, for example, an interchangeable part, which is intended to be connected to the device PD to be programmed. 1 -PD N The configuration is replaced.

[0041] Each peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N Via wired connection 8 with corresponding device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N Those skilled in the art can easily guess that it is not excluded from possible embodiments that the peripheral control device concurrently manages more than one device to be programmed.

[0042] Furthermore, the execution device 2 comprises one or more wireless telecommunication peripheral devices WM 1 -WM N , so as to achieve communication with the wireless remote communication device 4 of the management device 1, and each wireless remote communication peripheral device is connected to the corresponding peripheral control device AM via a corresponding high-speed connection 9 (such as a USB connection or other connection) 1 -AM N connect.

[0043] Wireless telecommunication peripherals WM 1 -WM N (hereinafter referred to as "peripheral wireless device" for simplicity) operates according to a telecommunication system compatible with the system used by the wireless telecommunication device 4 of the management device 1.

[0044] In particular, the wireless peripheral device WM1 -WM N Similar to the wireless telecommunication device 4, and therefore according to an example, they may rely on Wi-Fi technology. More specifically, the wireless peripheral device WM 1 -WM N A wireless LAN Wi-Fi 802.11ac module is available and an integrated antenna is also provided.

[0045] It should be noted that, according to a particular embodiment, each peripheral wireless device WM 1 -WM N and corresponding peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N are all accommodated in the corresponding second box module BX 1 -BX N middle.

[0046] Furthermore, the components of the actuator device 2 are advantageously arranged in a second housing 10 , which is preferably realized in metal in order to provide adequate protection for the components arranged therein.

[0047] In the case where the programming system 400 provides a plurality of execution devices 2, each execution device is advantageously arranged in a corresponding second cartridge (similar to the second cartridge 10). Advantageously, each of these second cartridges can completely replace the relevant contents.

[0048] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the second box body 10 (exemplarily having a drawer shape) can be arranged above the shelf 11 so as to lean against the partition wall 12 and be blocked between the guides 13.

[0049] According to the above, the wireless telecommunication device 4 of the management device 1 is provided with an integrated antenna, but it can be an embodiment (as shown in the accompanying drawings) in which at least an antenna 14 is provided outside the wireless telecommunication device 4 (preferably also outside the first box module 6 and the first box 7). According to a particular embodiment, the antenna 14 has the shape of a rod, but the antenna can also present other shapes compatible with the process described below.

[0050] For example, as also presented in the attached drawings, an antenna 14 connected to the wireless telecommunication device 4 by means of a cable 15, such as a radio frequency cable, protrudes towards the outside of the first housing module 6. In particular, the antenna 14 can be oriented so that when the second housing 10 is inserted between the guides 13, it passes through a slot 16 present in the second housing 10, thus extending to the interior of such a second housing. The slot 16 has dimensions such that damage and / or contact is avoided during the introduction phase of the antenna 14.

[0051] The embodiment in which the antenna 14 is arranged to extend into the second housing 10 prevents the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the antenna 14 from being shielded (completely or partially) by the metal material of the second housing 10, which may occur if the antenna 14 is located outside such a second housing.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the antenna 14 is arranged outside the second housing 10 (but inside or outside the first housing 7), but close to and facing the slot 16 (or another suitable opening) so as to allow the antenna 14 to be directed toward the wireless peripheral device WM. 1 -WM N In this case, the size of the opening is determined in consideration of the length of the signal wave radiated by the antenna 14.

[0053] It should be noted that the wireless device 4 and the wireless peripheral device WM 1 -WM N The remote communication technology used allows to automatically and dynamically manage the communication when replacing the execution device 2 and thus to automatically and dynamically manage the communication when the device to be programmed PD is replaced. 1 -PD N After all or part of the technical changes of the peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N The number and / or type of

[0054] Wireless LAN Wi-Fi 802.11ac wireless devices 4 and wireless peripherals WM 1 -WM N Transmission power can be adaptively minimized to optimize data transfer speed. The best situation occurs when the devices communicating with each other are in close range and in an environment where electromagnetic waves propagate without interference.

[0055] It should be noted that when the antenna 14 extends to the inside of the second box body 10, the distance from the wireless peripheral device WM 1 -WM N The distance is very short. Moreover, in this case, the occasional noise / interfering external signal is completely or at least partially shielded by the wall of the second box 10, which, if it is metallic, acts as a "Faraday cage". Advantageously, the second metal box 10 is electrically connected to the ground.

[0056] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the inner wall of the second housing 10 (for example, if it is metal) is covered or partially covered with an anti-reflection film 17 ( Figure 3), the anti-reflection film being in the frequency band in which the wireless technology is operated. Such a film 17 allows minimizing the reflected electromagnetic waves (i.e., signal echoes) from the walls of the second box 10, which otherwise might overlap with a certain amplitude and different phases (i.e., destructive interference), causing distortion of the signal of interest and degradation of the signals received by the different components.

[0057] By the same token, it is not excluded to use such a non-reflective film to also cover other areas of the management device 1 and / or the associated first box 7. With an optimized electromagnetic signal propagation environment, it is possible to minimize the transmission power and therefore minimize the electromagnetic interference with other devices, as well as maximize the performance in terms of data transmission frequency.

[0058] It should be noted that according to the example of using wireless LAN telecommunication technology, the wireless peripheral device WM can be used. 1 -WM N The maximum number is equal to 255.

[0059] According to the operation example of the programming system 400, in the first stage, the central control device 3 stores information about each device to be programmed PD. 1 -PD N The identification and type of information, the information may be of different types.

[0060] Additionally, further identification information is stored in the central control device 3, which allows each wireless peripheral device WM 1 -WM N The corresponding device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N In the central control device 3, the data associated with the device to be programmed PD is stored. 1 -PD N Related data to be stored and programming process.

[0061] Furthermore, in such a first stage, each peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N Configuration parameters and device PD to be programmed 1 -PD N All configuration parameters are stored.

[0062] In the second phase, the central control device 3 sends a wireless signal via the wireless telecommunication device 4 and the antenna 14, which transmits data for programming, programming process, peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N Parameters of the device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N Configuration parameters.

[0063] Each peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N Via the corresponding wireless peripheral device WM 1 -WM N Receives data / parameters of interest and can use the data / parameters of interest or send them to the corresponding device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N Previously, the data / parameters of interest were partially or completely stored.

[0064] During the third phase, each peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N According to the programming process and taking into account the relevant configuration parameters, the device PD to be programmed is oriented in the corresponding direction. 1 -PD N The management of programming data transfer is handled.

[0065] For example, the phases may occur in immediate succession or in a delayed manner, or the phases may partially overlap. 1 -PD N The programming occurs during at least partially overlapping time intervals.

[0066] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, all or part of the peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N At least one volatile and / or non-volatile large-scale memory is provided, whose read / write speed performance is suitable for the device PD to be programmed 1 -PD N Required programming / verification speed.

[0067] In this way, a large amount of data to be programmed / verified can be sent to the device to be programmed PD assembled on the PCBA board 1 -PD N Since these data usually remain unchanged over multiple programming cycles, they can be stored in the peripheral control device AM 1 -AM N In this way, the data will not be repeatedly transmitted in the wireless telecommunication system, thereby reducing the data traffic and the execution time of the programming process.

[0068] As described above, both the programming system and the device exhibit a central control device 3 and a peripheral control device AM. 1 -AM N A connection mode between the two which is not based on the use of cables and is less complex, expensive and cumbersome than the connection modes of the prior art.

[0069] In addition, the wireless telecommunication device 4 and the wireless telecommunication peripheral device WM are used. 1 -WM N This allows the use of communication standards that maintain high performance in terms of data transmission speed. Another advantage is that it is easier to install additional peripheral control devices in the actuator 2 without having to modify the entire connection system. In fact, the device allows avoiding the limitations caused by the connectors mounted on the main part of the machine being of a known type, as far as the maximum number of connections that can be connected to the central device and therefore the peripheral devices is concerned.

[0070] The described programming device also avoids the limitations imposed by the connector regarding the guaranteed number of coupling cycles, which would result in a limited utilization of the host computer and the different interchangeable parts.

[0071] Reference numerals list

[0072] Programming System 400

[0073] Programming device 300

[0074] Device to be programmed PD 1 -PD N

[0075] Management device 1

[0076] Programming execution device 2

[0077] Central control unit 3

[0078] Wireless telecommunication device 4

[0079] Connect 5

[0080] First box module 6

[0081] ELTR Block

[0082] First box body 7

[0083] Wired connection8

[0084] High-speed connection 9

[0085] Second box body 10

[0086] Shelf 11

[0087] Partition wall 12

[0088] Guide 13

[0089] Wireless telecommunication peripherals WM 1 -WM N

[0090] Peripheral control device AM1 -AM N

[0091] Second box module BX 1 -BX N

[0092] Antenna 14

[0093] Cable 15

[0094] Slot 16

Claims

1. A programming device (300), comprising: The central control device (3) is configured to manage a plurality of external devices to be programmed (PD1-PD N ) and so as to store a plurality of programming data, a plurality of programming processes and a plurality of configuration parameters; Multiple peripheral control devices (AM1-AM N ), each peripheral control device can be connected to the corresponding external device to be programmed (PD1-PD N ), and thus receive from the central control device (3) the data intended for the corresponding external device to be programmed (PD1-PD N ) of the corresponding subset of multiple programming data, the corresponding external programming device (PD1-PD N ) corresponding subsets of multiple programming processes, and corresponding external devices to be programmed (PD1-PD N ) and the corresponding peripheral control device (AM1-AM N )'s corresponding subset of multiple configuration parameters; It is characterized by further comprising: a first wireless telecommunication device (4) connected to the central control device (3) and so as to radiate wireless signals corresponding to a plurality of programming data, a plurality of programming processes and a plurality of configuration parameters; A plurality of second wireless telecommunication devices (WM1-WM N ), each second wireless remote communication device is connected to the peripheral control device (AM1-AM N ) in one of the plurality of wireless remote communication devices, and each second wireless remote communication device is intended for receiving, by means of the wireless signal, a corresponding subset of the plurality of programming data, a corresponding subset of the plurality of programming processes and a corresponding subset of the plurality of configuration parameters.

2. The device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless telecommunication device (4) and the second wireless telecommunication device (WM1-WM N ) in order to receive / send signals with frequencies comprised between 0 and 300 GHz.

3. The device (300) according to claim 2, wherein the first wireless telecommunication device (4) and the second wireless telecommunication device (WM1-WM N ) in order to work based on Wi-Fi technology.

4. The device (300) according to claim 1, wherein: The central control device (3) and the first wireless remote communication device (4) are accommodated in a first box body (6; 7); The plurality of peripheral control devices (AM1-AM N ) and the plurality of second wireless remote communication devices (WM1-WM N ) is accommodated in a second box body (10) which is separate from the first box body (6, 7).

5. The device (300) according to claim 4, wherein the second housing (10) comprises a metal wall.

6. The device (300) according to claim 4, further comprising an antenna (14) connected to the first wireless telecommunication device (4) by means of a cable (15) and in such a way as to radiate the wireless signal.

7. The device (300) according to claim 6, wherein the antenna extends into the second housing (10).

8. The device (300) according to claims 5 to 7, wherein the second housing (10) comprises a wall provided with an opening (16) for introducing the antenna (14) into the second housing.

9. The device (300) according to claim 6, wherein: The antenna (14) is arranged outside the second box body (10), close to the outer part of the second box body (10); The second box body (10) is provided with a crack so as to allow the radiation of wireless signals inside the second box body (10) so as to be transmitted by the plurality of second wireless telecommunication devices (WM1-WM N ) receives the wireless signal.

10. The device (300) according to claim 5, further comprising: An anti-reflection film (17) is arranged on the inner side of the metal wall of the second box body (10) to at least partially cover it; the anti-reflection film (17) is used to reduce the reflection of the wireless signal inside the second box body (10).

11. The device (300) according to claim 1, wherein: The central control device (3) and each of the peripheral control devices (AM1-AM N ) each include a corresponding processing unit and corresponding volatile and non-volatile memory.

12. The apparatus (300) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (300) is operable in a distributed programming system of a programming-in-system type.

13. The device (300) according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of peripheral control devices (AM1-AM N ) and the second box body (10) of the second wireless remote communication device (WM1-WMN) are detachable and replaceable.

14. A programming system (400), comprising: A programming device (300) implemented according to at least one of the preceding claims; Multiple devices to be programmed (PD1-PD N ), each device to be programmed receives a subset of multiple programming data and a subset of multiple configuration parameters.

15. The programming system (400) of claim 14, wherein: The programming system is of the in-system programming type; The device to be programmed (PD1-PD N ) is mounted on a printed circuit board assembly.

16. The programming system (400) according to claim 15, wherein the system is configured to program the device to be programmed (PD1-PD2) as a device under test. N ) to perform functional testing.

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