PROMJet® is a very advanced development tool for embedded systems. It is a memory emulator that eliminates the need for programming FLASH or EPROM memory during an application's development cycle. It replaces the FLASH memory of the system under development allowing the user to load, examine, modify, view and patch the program code directly into the PROMJet's emulation memory. The PROMJet works with a PC or a UNIX workstation via a standard USB, parallel port or a TCP/IP Ethernet adapter (optional). The ultra compact design (1.7" x 0.7" x 2.3") / (43 x 18 x 58mm) that has the same footprint as a 32-pin DIP FLASH memory, high speed RAM (up to 18ns), ultra fast data up/download speed (up to 4 Mb/Sec.) and jumperless configuration by the software facilitate the user firmware development. The target system recognizes the PROMJet as if it were a memory chip plugged into the target socket. Since the PROMJet functions independently of microprocessor type, it may be used to develop code in virtually any target system that uses a standard DIP, PLCC, SOIC, TSOP, PSOP or BGA FLASH memory.

There are multiple ways to connect PROMJet to the target board. The original DIP connector is used to connect PROMJet directly to the target system if it has a DIP or PLCC memory footprint. This connector is used only to support 8-bit memory emulation. It supports both EPROM (up to 27C080) and FLASH (up to 28F040). In the FLASH configuration, pin 31 acts as a write-enable input. For higher memory capacity (up to 4GBit) and 16-bit memory emulation support, PROMJet provides a high-density 50-pin connector (pat. pend.). It is located between the 2 rows of the DIP connector but is pushed back to avoid any physical interference. EmuTec offers more then 60 different adapters that interfaces between this connector and varies footprints such as DIP, PLCC, TSOP, PSOP and BGA. A number of our partners and customers have designed this connector into their circuit board for a rigid emulation connection. Contact EmuTec for the footprint and pin-out of this connector.

A 16-bit PROMJet can emulate both 16-bit and 8-bit devices at FULL capacity. Unlike other 16-bit memory emulators on the market will only emulate 8-bit devices at half their capacity (just by ignoring the higher 8 bits). So for example a 16MBit PROMJet can emulate a 2M x 8bit or a 1M x 16Bit device just by checking a switch box in the host software. There are no external adapters or cards needed to facilitate this feature. The unit will work in either mode at the rated access speed.

Adding the OPT-SPI or OPT-LPC will allow PROMJet to support serial SPI (1-bit) or LPC/FWH (4Bit) FLASH memory. The user can select between 1-bit SPI and for example 16-bit FLASH memory support by simply choosing the appropriate bus format in the software. No external adapters are required for protocol conversion. So a single PROMJet can support 8 and 16 bit as well as SPI or LPC/FWH flash devices without any external adapters. A wiring adapter is only needed to adopt the SPI FLASH 8-pin SOIC footprint to PROMJet 50-pin header. For LPC/FWH FLASH devices, PROMJet supports the 40-pin TSOP as well as the 32-pin PLCC footprints using the appropriate wiring adapters.

The Variable-Voltage option allows PROMJet to operate in any target with a supply voltage between 1.5 and 5Volt. This option is built inside PROMJet and does not require any external adapters. PROMJet measures the target voltage and limits all data and control signals to this voltage level.

 Adding the In-Circuit Emulation (ICE) option to PROMJet enables the host computer to access PROMJet's memory while the target processor is running without arbitration or wait-state signals. This allows the user to dynamically modify process control variables, look-up tables, loop counts, timing constants or force conditions to simulate external stimulus in real time without stopping the target system. It can also be used to establish a communication channel between the host computer and the target system via PROMJet's emulation memory. EmuTec provides software drivers on the host and target side to facilitate this feature.

PROMJet offers the most, if not the only, sold dual-ported memory support in the market. It was introduced in 1994 and has proven itself in thousand of installations worldwide. Some products claim to offer this feature but no other product delivers such a solid support with NO target impact. Some other emulators offer only a small dual-ported memory (2k - 8k byte) to provide a communication path between target and host.

Furthermore, if the target processor cannot use the write signal to modify PROMJet's memory, it may use the Write-By-Reading (WBR) function to write to PROMJet by only reading it in a specific sequence (similar to FLASH programming). This feature allows the target to communicate with the host simply by reading PROMJet. A complete set of device drivers, DLLs and libraries for high level languages is available to enable the integration of PROMJet into any software application.

 The last two options (ICE and WBR) are the key to true non-intrusive and transparent memory-based debugging. It enables the PROMJet to work with software debuggers allowing the user to debug an embedded application from a standard PC or a workstation using parallel or Ethernet connection. PROMJet does not use any system resources (IO-addresses or UART) or any memory outside the monitor area. Using PROMJet instead of a serial port while debugging an application increases debugger data transfer speed. It also frees the serial port for your application eliminating any conflicts between the RTOS and the debugger. The PROMJet also provides the full ROM space during debugging so that your application can be executed from the location as in the final configuration eliminating the need to relocate the code after debugging. PROMJet provides nearly all the functionality of a processor ICE at a fraction of the cost. It supports a variety of processors with no additional probes or pods since it connects to the target's ROM (no need to clip on delicate probes or leads). For target systems with wider data buses (up to 128 bit), only one PROMJet must have the ICE option. To support interrupt-driven debuggers, the PROMJet generates INT and /INT output signals that can be used by the target system.

PROMJet also provides a trigger circuit that allows the user to trigger on CPU memory accesses inside PROMJet address space. The user can specify the type of access to Read, Write or both. Also the trigger circuit can be programmed in single-shot mode or can be activated every time the CPU accesses the memory location. The INT and /INT signals are used to monitor this feature.

PROMJet also provides a Trace module that allows the user to trace CPU accesses using an HP or Tektronix logic analyzer. The module can be plugged between PROMJet and the target board and will interface directly to the logic-analyzer cables. This saves the user the integration of such an interface on the target board or the use of expensive clip-on adapters to probe the CPU directly.

To emulate Serial SPI Flash Memory, PROMJet offers an adapter that plugs into the 50-pin high-density connector and provides the 8-pin serial ROM interface. The adapter supports the 8-pin as well as the 16-pin SOIC pin-out. The entire PROMJet memory space will be available for the serial ROM. This adapter is a plug-in that can be purchased when needed.