TOOLSTICK300PP - Silicon Labs

ToolStick Programming Adapter

TOOLSTICK PROGRAMMING ADAPTER USER’S GUIDE

1. Handling Recommendations

The ToolStick Base Adapter and daugh ter cards are distributed without any protective plastics. To prevent damage

to the devices or the host PC, please take into consideration the following recommendations when using the

ToolStick:

Never connect or disconnect a daughter card to or from the ToolStick Base Adapter while the Base Adapter is

connected to a PC.

Always connect and disconnect the ToolStick Base Adapter from the PC by holding the edges of the board.

Figure 1. Proper Method of Holding the ToolStick

Figure 2. Improper Method of Holding the ToolStick

Avoid directly touching any of the components other than the plastic connector or the socket.

2. Kit Contents

The ToolStick Programming Adapter package contains the following items:

ToolStick Base Adapter

ToolStick Programming Adapter Daughter Card

USB extension cable

ToolStick Programming Adapter

2 Rev. 0.3

3. ToolStick Programming Adapter Overview

The ToolStick Programming Adapters are an ideal platform for programming Silicon Labs microcontrollers for

prototypes or for small volume production. Their low cost and ease-of-use make them easy to integrate into any

production flow.

The ToolStick programming platform consists of two components: the ToolStick Base Adapter and the

programming daughter card. The ToolStick Base Adapter provides a USB programming interface between a

Windows PC and the target microcontroller. The socket daughter card includes th e socket that houses the device,

a power LED and an On/Off switch. Figure 3 shows an example daughter card.

Figure 3. Example Programming Daughter Card

Silicon Labs MCUs are available in different packages: QFN (MLP), QFP, TSSOP, and DIP. The daughter cards

use a dif fer ent type of socket for eac h p ackage typ e and each of th ese socke t types is rated for a minimum number

of insertions. Table 1 below shows the minimum guaranteed number of insertions for each socket type:

Check the ToolStick website (www.silabs.com/too lstick) to ensure that the daughter card is the appropriate one for

the device being programmed. Inserting a device into the wrong socket could damage the device.

4. Requirements

The following are required to use the ToolStick programming platform

PC running Windows 2000 or later

Silicon Labs MCU Production Programmer

Tweezers

The Silicon Labs MCU Production Programmer is the PC application that is used to download the code to the

target device. This program is available at: https://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/SoftwareDownloads.aspx.

The source code for this program is available to enable development of custom programming applications.

Table 1. Minimum Guaranteed Device Insertions Per Socket Type

Package Type Minimum Insertions

QFN—Clam-Shell 5,000

QFP—Top-loader 10,000

TSSOP—Top-loader 5,000

DIP - ZIP / ZIF 20,000

ToolStick Programming Adapter

Rev. 0.3 3

5. Software Installation Instructions

This section describes how to download and install the Silicon Labs MCU Production Programmer. This program is

used to download the firmware to the target MCU from a Windows PC.

Step 1. Download the MCU Production Programmer from

https://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/SoftwareDownloads.aspx.

Step 2. Install the program by running the executable and following the on-screen

instructions.

Step 3. Start the program from Start  All Programs  Silicon Laboratories  MCU

Production Programmer.

Step 4. Connect the ToolStick to the socket daughter card, and connect it to the PC.

Step 5. Go to Program Menu  Configure Programming Information.

Step 6. Configure the required programming settings.

The required settings are Part Numb er, Debug Adapter, and Hex File. Configuration of the other,

optional settings should be also done during this step.

Note: The ToolSt ick mi ght no t a ppear as a "De bu g Adapte r" selection until the MCU is inserted into the

socket and the switch on the daughte r card is set to the ON position. See Section 6 for hardwar e usage

instructions.

Figure 4. Configure Programming Settings

Step 7. Save these settings to a file using the "Save Settings" button.

Whenever the pr ogram is started, the settings saved in S t ep 7 can be restored using the "Loa d Settings"

button in this same menu.

ToolStick Programming Adapter

4 Rev. 0.3

6. Usage Instructions

This section describes how to use the ToolStick Programming Adapter. It is recommended to use a clean

workspace that includes a level surface to place the ToolStick.

Step 1. Connect the ToolStick Base Adapter and daughter card to the PC.

The ToolStick Programming Adapter kit includes a USB extension cable that can be used to make it

easier to place the Base Adapter and daughter card on a level surface.

Figure 5. ToolStick Socket Platform Connected to PC

Step 2. Move the switch on the daughter card to the OFF position.

Figure 6. Switch on Daughter Card Moved to the OFF Position

ToolStick Programming Adapter

Rev. 0.3 5

Step 3. Insert the MCU into the socket

Note: The Programming Adapter has a diagram of the MCU that shows the prope r orientation of the MCU in the socket. The

circle in the diagram corresponds to the circle on the top-side of the package. Please check the orientation of the device

before inserting into the socket. Inserting the device incorrectly into the socket could damage the device.

Figure 7. Socket Orientation

The procedure for inserting the device into the socket depends on the type of socket (Clam-Shell, Top-Loader, or

ZIF).

Inserting a device into a Clam-Shell socket

Figure 8. Clam-Shell Socket

A. Ensure that the ToolStick Base Adapter and the daughter card are on a level surface.

B. Press the latch to open th e socket.

C. Using the tweezers, carefully insert the device into the socket in the same orientation that is shown in the orientation

diagram on the daughter card.

D. Slowly close the socket so that the device does not move during th e process.

ToolStick Programming Adapter

6 Rev. 0.3

Inserting a Device into a Top-loading Socket

Figure 9. Top-loading Socket

A. Ensure that the ToolStick Base Adapter and the daughter card are on a level surface.

B. Using one hand, press the socket downward to open the space for the device. Use tweezers to carefully put the device into

the socket in the same orientation that is shown in the orientation diagram on the daughter card. Release the downward

pressure once the device is properly situated.

C. Examine the socket and confirm that the device is properly aligned.

Inserting a Device into a ZIF Socket

Figure 10. ZIF Socket

A. Ensure that the ToolStick Base Adapter and the daughter card are on a level surface.

B. Move the lever to the open position

C. Use tweezers to carefully put the device into the socket in the same orientation that is shown in the orientation diagram on

the daughter card.

D. Move the lever to the closed position.

E. Examine the socket and confirm that the device is properly aligned

BCD

ToolStick Programming Adapter

Rev. 0.3 7

Step 4. Move the Switch to the ON position.

Figure 11. Switch in the ON Position

Step 5. Download the firmware to the MCU using the MCU Programming Utility

Note: this step assumes that the MCU Programming Utility has been configured using the instructions provided in

Section 5. "Software Installation Instructions".

A. Verify that the settings are cor rect in the "Current Configuration."

Figure 12. Current Configuration

B. Click the "Program Device" button to program the MCU.

Figure 13. Program Device Button

ToolStick Programming Adapter

8 Rev. 0.3

C. Verify that the MCU is programmed correctly by checking the Status Log.

Figure 14. Status Log

Step 6. Turn the switch to the OFF position.

Figure 15. Switch in the OFF Position

Step 7. Remove the device.

Note: Removing the device befo re power has been removed from the daughter card could damage the device.

ToolStick Programming Adapter

Rev. 0.3 9

Removing the Device from a Clam-Shell Socket

Figure 16. Removing a Device from a Clam-Shell Socket

A. Ensure that the ToolStick Base Adapter and the daughter card are on a level surface.

B. Press the latch to open th e socket.

C. Using the tweezers, carefully remove the device from the socket.

Removing the Device from a Top-loading Socket

Figure 17. Removing a Device from a Top-loading Socket

A. Ensure that the ToolStick Base Adapter and the daughter card are on a level surface.

B. Using one hand, press the socket downward to open the space for the device. Use tweezers to carefully remove the device

from the socket. Release the downward pressure once the device is removed.

ToolStick Programming Adapter

10 Rev. 0.3

Removing the Device from a ZIF Socket

Figure 18. Removing a Device from a ZIF Socket

A. Ensure that the ToolStick Base Adapter and the daughter card are on a level surface.

B. Move the lever to the open position

C. Use tweezers to carefully remove th e device from the socket.

To program another device, return to Step 3.

ToolStick Programming Adapter

Rev. 0.3 11

DOCUMENT CHANGE LIST:

Revision 0.2 to Revision 0.3

Added documentation for ZIF sockets.

Updated scree ns h ots for new versio n of th e MCU

Production Progra mmer.

Disclaimer

Silicon Laboratories intends to provide customers with the latest, accurate, and in-depth documentation of all peripherals and modules available for system and software implementers

using or intending to use the Silicon Laboratories products. Characterization data, available modules and peripherals, memory sizes and memory addresses refer to each specific

device, and "Typical" parameters provided can and do vary in different applications. Application examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Silicon Laboratories

reserves the right to make changes without further notice and limitation to product information, specifications, and descriptions herein, and does not give warranties as to the accuracy

or completeness of the included information. Silicon Laboratories shall have no liability for the consequences of use of the information supplied herein. This document does not imply

or express copyright licenses granted hereunder to design or fabricate any integrated circuits. The products must not be used within any Life Support System without the specific

written consent of Silicon Laboratories. A "Life Support System" is any product or system intended to support or sustain life and/or health, which, if it fails, can be reasonably expected

to result in significant personal injury or death. Silicon Laboratories products are generally not intended for military applications. Silicon Laboratories products shall under no

circumstances be used in weapons of mass destruction including (but not limited to) nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or missiles capable of delivering such weapons.

Trademark Information

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thereof, "the world’s most energy friendly microcontrollers", Ember®, EZLink®, EZMac®, EZRadio®, EZRadioPRO®, DSPLL®, ISOmodem ®, Precision32®, ProSLIC®, SiPHY®,

USBXpress® and others are trademarks or registered trademarks of Silicon Laboratories Inc. ARM, CORTEX, Cortex-M3 and THUMB are trademarks or registered trademarks of

ARM Holdings. Keil is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. All other products or brand names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

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