This guide will provide basic information useful to those shopping for (and selling) Data I/O programming equipment, including some pitfalls to watch out for.

I'm assuming that the reader of this guide is already knowledgeable about basic electronics, microprocessor circuits, and terminology such as PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, PAL, PLD, PEEL, FPGA, etc. If not, you will need more info than I have space to provide here.

I have tied Ebay searches to the model numbers and names shown. Click any of the provided links to execute your desired search.

Before I get into the gritty details, know that you can freely download PDF format user's manuals for most of Data I/O's current products at:

www dot dataio dot com slash support slash manuals dot asp

Models 19, 29A, 29B, UniPak, UniPak-2 & 2B, and LogicPak

None of the models and accessories mentioned above have been supported or maintained by Data I/O since at least 1990. They are all very limited in the scope of devices that they can program, and should only be considered if your budget will not allow for a more modern programmer AND you only plan to do EPROMs, EEPROMs, Bipolar PROMs, or simple PALs and PLDs.

If you are limited to one of these models, aim for at least a 29A, preferably a 29B, and make sure it includes at least a UniPak adapter, preferably a UniPak-2 or 2B. The original UniPak and UniPak-2 are black with green sockets, and the 2B is brown with black sockets (and it's larger than the original or the 2).

I would not recommend spending more than about $50-$70 on one of these systems.

'UniFamily' programmers and accessories (2900, 3900, 3980, 3980XPi, UniSite, UniSite-XPi, ChipSite, PinSite, Site40, Site48, Site48-HS).

NOTE: I have received word on 23-Jun-08 that, as of at least a year ago, the entire 'UniFamily' line of programmers has been declared 'Obsolete' by Data I/O!

I was also informed that this change marks the end of Data I/O's production of programmers for through-hole mounted devices. Their new 'FLASHpack' system can only do surface-mount devices.

This marks the end of an era. The Unifamily programmers were Data I/O's flagship products for at least 20 years, and I am truly sorry to see them go.

Software and repair support for the Unifamily will be continued, though I have not been given any indication as to how long it will last.

The entire Unifamily shares a common architecture and several similarities in hardware. They all utilize pin-driver technology, meaning that any pin of the programming socket can be set up, through software, to supply any needed signal including power, address, data, ground, etc.

They are by far the most popular and most widely supported. You would do well to stick to UniFamily systems when shopping, unless you REALLY know what you're doing and know how to make use of older hardware.

BEFORE SHOPPING -- You need to be aware of a major 'Gotcha!' associated with the entire UniFamily line: Operating software and device updates.

Unlike other programmer manufacturers, Data I/O does NOT provide free updates, and the only "legal" way to get such is to set up with them for a software subscription. This will cost you anywhere from $1,900 to $2,200 initially, depending on whether they're running a promotion and what revision your programmer was at when you bought it, and about $1,900 PER YEAR to maintain.

Older versions of software for these programmers have turned up on Ebay before (use the two links above to search for it). Data I/O does not seem to care about this, based on the fact that they have not (in times past, at least) made any attempt to stop the auctions involved.

As of 1-Jul-2008, the current UniFamily software release is 8.7. You can expect between 2-3 new releases per year. The primary differences between releases are in the algorithms for highly complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs, FPGAs, etc.) Memory device algorithms don't change very often, so you should still be able to do a huge number of such devices Out There no matter what version you get.

ACCESSORIES & PRICE GUIDE

No matter which programmer you shop for, try to get one that has at least the DIP socket base unless all you need is spare parts. Most programmers will come with the DIP base. If you do end up needing to buy one new from Data I/O, expect the price to be in the $325 to $400 region.

2900: Expect pricing in the range of $30-$200, depending on condition, software (if any is supplied), and what kinds of accessories are included. The entire Unifamily line has a wide variety of programming bases and socket adapters available, including PLCC, SOIC, PGA, QFP, TQFP, etc. The DIP base for this programmer is part number 29BASE-0101.

Contrary to one particular seller's belief (evidenced by the fact that they've been trying to move a 2900 in average condition for at least the last eight months), these programmers are not worth $400-$500 unless they come with software and a PILE of accessories, and have been tested.

3900: Anywhere from $100-$300, dependent (again) on condition, whether it has the hard drive option, and supplied accessories. This programmer uses DIP base 39BASE-0101.

3980: $200-$400, same conditions as above. 3980's usually had the hard drive option installed, and they use the same DIP base as the 3900.

3980XPi: Last and latest of the 39xx line. Expect a price of $300-$750, same conditions as above. Has the hard drive and parallel-port interface options factory-installed, uses the same DIP base as other 39xx series.

UniSite and UniSite-XPi: The -XPi version was the last and latest before the Unifamily met its maker. Price varies wildly. I've seen them sell for as little as $30, and as high as $700+. In general, expect about $50-$500, depending on the specific model, installed options, and software release (if any) supplied.

The DIP base will be a Site40 (obsolete), Site48, or Site48-HS. The 'HS' version is current, and replaces many of the electromechanical relays in the earlier models with electronic switching. The numeric part of the model code refers to the maximum number of pins the programming socket can handle (40 or 48).

Data I/O says the 'HS' stands for 'High Speed.' However, I've compared both bases, and have not been able to find any difference in speed between the two (at least not in my applications). Perhaps it only applied with CPLD's, or other bit-intensive devices...?

If there is no photo of the model/serial number plate in the auction, ask the seller to provide the programmer's actual part number as read from this plate. It will be along the lines of 901-0058-xxx, where the last three digits are the all-important hardware revision level.

Try to avoid UniSites with revision codes -001 through -011, as they are more likely to have an older type of mainboard that is not compatible with the hard drive option, as well as have fewer pin driver boards installed. UniSites coded -012 and up are almost always safe, and units coded -013 and up are not only a pretty safe bet but are much more likely to have the hard drive option.

Common accessories for the Unisite include the ChipSite (considered obsolete), the SetSite, and the PinSite. The ChipSite is an early multi-socket module for PLCC, LCC, and some SOIC packages. It is still a useful adapter to have, as its individual sockets are much more durable, physically speaking, than the PinSite's elastomer contact pad scheme.

With that said: Be aware that the ChipSite is not very well supported in software for UniFamily releases from about 5.7 and up. You may find, with later releases, that the PinSite with the appropriate base is required.

The SetSite was designed to facilitate the programming of up to eight identical devices with the exact same firmware. In other words, it was designed to allow the UniSite to be a low-volume production line for programmable devices.

The PinSite is the replacement for the ChipSite. It can, through a variety of bases and adapters (often called 'matchbooks'), handle PLCC, LCC, SOIC, PGA, BGA, PCMCIA, QFP, TQFP, and just about any other type of IC package imaginable. Useful to have, but you may need to purchase bases and adapters for it for your specific application (and, as you might guess, these adapters do not come cheaply -- typical price for even a simple PLCC socket adapter was in the $400 range, new).

UNISITE PIN DRIVER  BOARDS

You will see these turn up on Ebay from time to time. They are unique to the UniSite and UniSite-XPi in that they can be individually replaced in case of failure.

Each board supports FOUR pins. A first-generation UniSite will have at least ten (for 40 pins). Later models usually have anywhere from 12 (48 pins) to a full complement of 17 (68 pins). The UniSite XPi should have a full complement of 17 boards by default (unless someone's been scavenging).

A UniSite series programmer equipped with a full complement of such boards can program devices of 68 pins and up (and by 'up,' I mean it's limited only by the programmer socket adapter and programming algorithm). Data I/O takes care of any necessary switching or multiplexing for devices large than 68 pins.

When shopping for a UniSite, you want to get it with as many pin driver boards as you can. 10 is OK, 12 will fit just about any programming application except the more exotic CPLDs and FPGAs. 17, of course, is ideal.

It is fairly easy to tell how many boards are installed. Simply examine the vent slots on the backside of the top housing. You will see a series of small heatsinks, all lined up in a neat row (a flashlight may be of help). Each heatsink indicates the presence of one board.

If you have heatsinks visible all the way across the width of the vent slots, congrats! You've got a full load of pin drivers. If not, count them. As mentioned above, you want a bare minimum of 10, preferably 12 or more.

If you need extras, $20 or so is a good price for the boards.

29xx and 39xx PIN DRIVERS

The 2900 and 3900 series have one or two pin driver boards respectively, with each board handling 44 pins. These boards are electrically and mechanically identical between 2900, 3900, 3980, and 3980XPi, so if you end up with a programmer that has a bad pin driver board (as I recently did), you can swap in a replacement from any of the 29xx or 39xx models and it should work.

I've never seen individual pin driver boards for the 29xx or 39xx on Ebay (which is why I didn't hyperlink a search), so your best source for such if you need them is going to be a 'donor' programmer. Unless the seller wants a ridiculous price for a whole programmer (been known to happen!), it'll probably be less expensive than the $1,750 that Data I/O wants for flat-rate repair!

DOES YOUR PROGRAMMER HAVE A HARD DRIVE?

For the Unisite, it's easy to tell. Simply power it up with NO floppies in the drive(s), and let it sit. What you're looking for is that the 'SELF TEST' light turns OFF, and the 'READY' light on either the left or right programming socket adapter turns ON, after no more than five minutes. If this happens, the programmer has a hard drive installed and it booted correctly.

You can also, if you wish (it's not required for this test), attach a dumb terminal to the TERMINAL port, set at 9600-8-N-1 with XON/XOFF handshake. You can set the programmer's port type on Unisite programmers by using the DCE/DTE pushbutton switches on the back. 

If the Unisite's 'SELF TEST' light remains on after the time specified above, OR the light goes out WITHOUT the 'READY' light on either socket adapter turning on, then either your programmer does NOT have the hard drive option or it's broken or corrupted. The only way to tell for sure, under such conditions, would be to physically open the programmer up and examine its innards.

For the 2900 and 3900 series, you will need to attach a terminal no matter what, same settings as above. Both serial ports on the 2900 and 3900 will automatically sense what you're trying to connect, and will configure themselves as DTE or DCE as needed. If a hard drive is present, and in working condition, you should see a bootup splash screen (with the programmer's series number in nice ASCII art) within no more than four minutes.

One other way to tell if the hard drive option is present in a 2900 or 3900 series is to simply remove the top cover (five screws). The MSM (Mass Storage Module) will be directly on top of the CPU board, near the back, and it will be painfully obvious what it is thanks to the presence of a PCMCIA hard drive.

Any time you see the name UniSite-XPi or 3980-XPi, they will have the hard drive and parallel port interface options as standard equipment (unless someone removed them).

Notes on the MSM (Mass Storage Module) or 'Hard Drive' option

I have recently learned some interesting things about the MSM. First and foremost, there does not appear to be any physical difference between the MSM's used in the Unisite programmers, and those used in the 2900/3900 series. The board itself, and the installed PCMCIA hard drive card, appear to be identical.

The difference appears to be twofold, in the type of electrical connection and (of course) in the type of software loaded. There may be other differences in drive formatting which I haven't found yet.

Where connections are concerned, the Unisite's MSM will be using a 60-position flat cable between the Berg header on the MSM and the matching connector on the left front of the Unisite's main circuit board. The 2900 and 3900 series' MSM will plug directly into a 78-position socket header on the top of the controller board, near the rear panel.

If you want to convert a Unisite's MSM to work in a 2900/3900, it should be as easy as soldering in a standard 78-position 0.100 x 0.100 male pin header, plugging the thing into the programmer (supported with the help of a few standard spacers, of course), and then reformatting the drive and reloading the software.

Going the other way, I don't see any reason why you couldn't adapt a 2900/3900's MSM to a Unisite by, if necessary, soldering in a standard 60-position Berg socket header, fabricating an appropriate interconnecting cable, and doing the same mount, reformat, and reload operation with the board and software. In the case of the Unisite, you may have to fabricate (or buy, if Data I/O can be convinced to sell the necessary parts) a mounting bracket. This is because, in the Unisite, the MSM sits on a couple of brackets just above the cooling fan and below the main board.

And, of course, as mentioned below -- Any time you have a programmer with the MSM, you automatically gain a parallel port as well (the XPi option).

OTHER PROGRAMMERS YOU MIGHT SEE...

...On Ebay, or at electronic swap meets, include models 20, 22, 212, 60, 288, ChipLab, LabSite, ChipWriter, CardPro, etc.

Support for some of these systems, as well as the 19, 29A, and 29B, may be available from:

Memory & Logic Programming Services
41 Logan Drive
Newport, VT 05855-9683
Phone: (802) 334-6088
Contact: Al Marin, E-mail: mlps_vt (at) yahoo.com

Support for the CardPro and CardPro2 systems may be available from:

Card Professionals Limited
CedarMount House, Owlsmoor Rd.
Sandhurst, BerkShire
GU47 0SS, United Kingdom, E-mail: cardpro (at) dial.pipex.com

The ChipLab was interesting in that it was one of Data I/O's few attempts to compete in the world of 'budget' engineering programmers, similar to units from Logical Devices, Advin, BP Microsystems, et al. However, it only lasted 3-4 years, and support for it is long since discontinued.

Programmers bearing the 'Sprint1,' 'Sprint Plus,' and 'Sprint Expert' were made by SMS GMBh, a German company which Data I/O acquired. They were all DISCONTINUED prior to this acquisition, and no support whatsoever is available for them. Unless you have access to software for them, they should be avoided!

In fact, most of these beasties have poor support, and should be avoided unless you really know what you're doing, and have a specific application. If you really want to dig into them, check Data I/O's web site and Google for references, and be VERY careful when you shop!

Remember, despite the occasional difficulties in finding software, it's best to stick with the UniFamily systems.

IN SUMMARY...

Data I/O makes some of the best-built programmers on the planet. It's just a shame they're so greedy about their software updates. If you can get hold of one of these systems, especially something in the UniSite series, you'll have pretty much all you need to read or program nearly any type of programmable memory and logic device.

An interesting side-note: It is possible to DIY the parallel interface (XPi option) on any Unifamily programmer equipped with the hard drive module (MSM). This is, however, a fairly complex operation requiring specialized tools and skill in cable fabrication, as well as some simple sheet-metal work. Please feel free to contact me for further details if you wish.

For device support searches, visit www dot dataio dot com slash device.

Happy shopping.