Hi Joe,
I just did a quick search and found that the BP-1600 uses EPP (Enhanced
Parallel Port) protocol on the parallel port rather than using the port
like a GPIO port. Since this is a higher-level bidirectional protocol,
it should be easier to find a USB converter that will work. Look for
one that supports EPP and keep your fingers crossed. :-)
Ed
On 1/13/2013 10:18 PM, J. L. Trantham wrote:
Sorry to take so long to reply to the many great contributions to the
issue/question. Work is really beginning to interfere with my hobbies.
But now, the rest of the story.....
My goal is to connect a BP Micro BP-1600, parallel port connected Universal
Programmer, to a computer using USB. BP Micro makes the BP-1610 which does
just this. It appears to be the same programmer, uses the same software,
but connects via a USB port instead of a parallel port. I have not had a
chance to see the inside of the BP-1610 and would really appreciate some
pictures if anyone has one, particularly the corner of the PCB that connects
to the USB connection.
All I have is an Actel Silicon Sculptor 3, also made by BP Micro, that looks
like the BP-1710 (with the 'START' button) but connects via a USB port. On
the main PCB of the BP-1600 and the SS3 are two, 2 row, 26 pin, connectors,
one toward the back edge of the PCB toward the back panel and the other just
inside the first connector. The inside connector directly connects to the
parallel port on the back of the BP-1600. On the SS3, there is a small PCB
that plugs into the same connector, takes a power input, and also has 6 pin
connections to the other 26 pin connector. This small PCB has a USB
connector that is connected to the back of the SS3 as the USB connection.
These observations lead me to believe that it is possible to do a 'USB to
parallel' adapter to make the connection. Of course, I don't have a clue
about the onboard firmware that might be different to allow the unit to be
recognized as a USB instead of a parallel port connected device.
So, some 'experimenting' seems in order, after first trying to closely
inspect the small PCB and try to reverse engineer it a bit.
In the mean time, I have a collection of laptop's and desktop's with
parallel port connectors so keeping the programmers humming is not a
problem. Just would like to make the 'jump' to the 'modern era'. A project
that has been in the back of my mind. I will probably try one of the
adapters referred to.
Thanks again for all the info.
Joe
_______________________________________________
time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected]
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.
