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Serial Port "Boot" Programming

Questions about downloading code to flash the microcontroller using a PC with a serial port (RS232).

FAQ overview

How do I program my M16C/R8C/M32C using RS232?
How do I program my H8/H8S/H8SX?
Is there a write-up on M16C serial programming?

How do I program my M16C/R8C/M32C using RS232?

It is possible to use an syncronous serial port from a PC to boot-program any M16C, M32C or R8C device. The program you need is Flash Starter. Future versions of FDT will have this capability built-in.

Here's the home page with documenation on how to use and connect Flash Starter. You can also download it for free.

http://www.renesas.com/fmwk.jsp?cnt=m3a_0806.jsp&fp=/products/tools/flash_prom_programming/flash_programmers/m3a_0806/

Note that RS232 voltage levels must be convereted to logic level voltages.

How do I program my H8/H8S/H8SX?

Async serial programming is built into the Flash Development Toolkit. Download it for free here:

http://www.renesas.com/fmwk.jsp?cnt=flash_development_toolkit_tools_product_landing.jsp&fp=/products/tools/flash_prom_programming/fdt/

Specific H8 chips require certain configurations of the RESET, FWE, MODE and/or NMI pins. Please refer to the hardware manual under Flash Memory.

Also note the RS232 voltage levels need to be converted to logic levels.

Is there a write-up on M16C serial programming?

Yes, it's detailed here (curtesy of our friends at RedHat) Easy R8C, M16C, M32C Flash Programming

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