Production Chip

After creating a working project using the netduino, how do I create a production chip? I found the IC for a reasonable price listed below. I'm assuming a separate hardware component with a ZIF will be required. Essentially I want to create a standalone prod unit identical to my 'duino chip. Has anyone done this before? IC @ http://www.alibaba.c...1/SAM7X512.html

Hi aareedy, You can program the chip via a fast-flash programmer, via the first serial port, or via USB. Many commercial Netduino-derived products have USB ports on them...which makes them easy to program "fresh from the factory." Chris P.S. A note on chips: I would highly recommend ordering your Atmel chips from an authorized Atmel distributor. Much of the chip stock you find on the Internet is: (a) old or mishandled chips; ( relabeled chips.

Chris, Thanks a lot for the information. Do you have a fast-flash programmer that you recommend? Looking for something on a budget (i.e., cheapest I can get by with). Also thanks for the tip on the chips.

Hi aareedy, We custom-build our programmers, but perhaps someone else here (or Atmel tech support) can recommend an off-the-shelf one for you... Chris

Looking for something on a budget (i.e., cheapest I can get by with).

If you are designing a custom board with SAM7X chip, the easiest way to flash it is via SAM-BA - if there is no USB connection, SAM-BA switches to serial interface, so you'd just need to have two DBGU pins broken out (or for example accessible via test pads and pogo pins). Another option is to expose JTAG pins (you may need to use custom connector to reduce the number of pins, which is up to 20 by a standard), there are numerous JTAG programmers available...

If you are designing a custom board with SAM7X chip, the easiest way to flash it is via SAM-BA - if there is no USB connection, SAM-BA switches to serial interface, so you'd just need to have two DBGU pins broken out (or for example accessible via test pads and pogo pins). Another option is to expose JTAG pins (you may need to use custom connector to reduce the number of pins, which is up to 20 by a standard), there are numerous JTAG programmers available...

I'm pretty lost here. Do you know of any tutorials that describe this process in more detail?
I found what I was looking for in the Arduino on this video, but would like to stay with the Netduino. Does anyone know of a comparable process?

I'm pretty lost here. Do you know of any tutorials that describe this process in more detail?
I found what I was looking for in the Arduino on this video, but would like to stay with the Netduino. Does anyone know of a comparable process?

SAM-BA via USB should work something like:
http://wiki.netduino...ep-by-step.ashx

Chris

SAM-BA via USB should work something like:
http://wiki.netduino...ep-by-step.ashx

Chris

It seems like this is for getting a new version of the netduino firmware onto the development board. Is there a specialty piece of hardware that I can build to make this process work for a generic chip sitting in a ZIF socket? I understand that I won't get the full power of all the features built into the development board.

It seems like this is for getting a new version of the netduino firmware onto the development board. Is there a specialty piece of hardware that I can build to make this process work for a generic chip sitting in a ZIF socket? I understand that I won't get the full power of all the features built into the development board.

Yes, absolutely. If you pull the circuitry from the Netduino schematics, so that the chip boots and the USB is live, you'll effectively have a "Netduino-style MCU programmer" board.

In a ZIF socket there are some other flashing techniques possible...Atmel can provide full details on those for you (in the datasheet or their technical reps).

Chris

Chris, So if I understand this correctly, I would need to do the following: 1. Use the Netduino schematics to build a duplicate board for the USB to IC circuitry. I/O Ports, LEDs, etc would not be needed. 2. Have a breadboard insert or some sort of ZIF socket to insert the Atmel IC. This links the pins of the Atmel chip to the proper pins of the USB interface. This creates basically a new netduino, minus the cool packaging, I/O, LEDs, etc. 3. Use the SAM-BA procedures to flash the chip with the desired program. Is this correct?

Yes, that should work!