NXP In-System Programming (ISP) Devices

The .NET Software Download includes libraries and demo applications for creating custom .NET applications that communicate with NXP In-System Programming (ISP) interface devices.

Supported Boards

The following boards have the UART for ISP operations accessible for demonstration purposes.

• NXP LPC1769 (OM13085)
• NXP LPC1788 (OM13001)
• NXP LPC1857 (OM13039)

DZX.Devices.dll Library

The devices library contains the ISPDevice class for communicating with NXP In-System Programming (ISP) microcontroller devices. The ISP interface uses a serial port that is provided by an OEM bootloader that is installed by NXP.

Connecting to a Device

The ISPDevice class supports connecting to a device using either the FTDI driver or the standard serial port driver. The code snippet below shows how to establish a connection using either driver.

using DZX.Devices.ISP;

private void FTDIExample()
{
    // Probe for available FTDI devices
    FTD2XX_NET.FTDI.FT_DEVICE_INFO_NODE[] nodes = ISPDevice.GetAttachedAsFTDI();

    // Any FTDI devices attached?
    if (nodes.Length > 0)
    {
        // Connect to the first available device

        ISPDevice device = new ISPDevice();

        device.Connect(nodes[0]);
    }
}

private void COMExample()
{
    // Probe for available serial port devices
    string[] ports = ISPDevice.GetAttachedAsCOM();

    // Any available ports
    if (ports.Length > 0)
    {
        // Connect to the first available port

        ISPDevice device = new ISPDevice();

        device.Connect(ports[0]);
    }
}

Invoking ISP Mode

The ISP interface requires that the host software knows the memory sector layout of the target device. The ISPDevice has the ability to automatically detect the type of device and use the appropriate settings if the device is supported. If the device isn't supported for automatic detection, the target information can be provided using the ISPTarget class.

The code snippet below shows how to invoke the ISP mode within the device.

using DZX.Devices.ISP;

private void Example()
{
    // Specify the function of DTR (default shown)
    device.DTRFunction = ISPSignalFunction.ResetActiveLow;
    
    // Specify the function of RTS (default shown)
    device.RTSFunction = ISPSignalFunction.ISPEnableActiveLow;

    // Specify to use DTR and RTS (true by default)
    device.UseSignals = true;
    

    try
    {
        // Attempt to enter ISP mode
        device.InvokeISP();
    }
    catch (ISPException)
    {
        // The device failed to enter ISP mode
    }
}

Data can be downloaded to the device once the device is in ISP mode. The code snippet below shows how to open a hex file and download the contents to the attached ISP device.

using DZX.DataFiles;
using DZX.Devices.ISP;


private void Example()
{
    // Open a hex file that contains the data to be downloaded to the device
    DataFile file = DataFile.FromFile("C:\\DZX\\some-file.hex");


    // Hook some events to notify users of the download progress
    device.SectorErasing += device_SectorErasing;
    device.SectorErased += device_SectorErased;
    device.SectorProgramming += device_SectorProgramming;
    device.SectorProgrammed += device_SectorProgrammed;


    // Download the data
    device.Download(file.Address, file.GetBytes());
}

void device_SectorProgramming(object sender, SectorEventArgs e)
{
    Console.WriteLine(string.Format("Programming sector {0}... ", e.SectorNumber));
}

void device_SectorProgrammed(object sender, SectorEventArgs e)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Done.");
}

void device_SectorErasing(object sender, SectorEventArgs e)
{
    Console.WriteLine(string.Format("Erasing sector {0}... ", e.SectorNumber));
}

void device_SectorErased(object sender, SectorEventArgs e)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Done.");
}

Demo Application

The In System Programming (ISP) demo application provides a demonstration of using the DZX.Devices.dll library to update an NXP microcontroller.

Begin by selecting a device from the drop down list. Use the 'Port Settings' button to edit the settings of the port used to communicate with the device.

Browse and select a data file to be downloaded to the device. Use the 'Download' button to start the download. The results of the operation are displayed on the lower portion of the dialog.