Out in Front: December 7, 1995

Data I/O’s new single-socket, 44-pin engineering programmer for field-programmable gate arrays, PLDs, µ, and memory devices addresses several drawbacks of more conventional designs. The $3400 model 2700 handles DIPs and PLCCs; it uses the DIP socket only when programming DIP devices. The company also offers a $595 option that adds a proven, high-reliability package-and-pinout interface for LCCs, SOICs, QFPs, and TSOPs. In contrast, conventional programmers have DIP sockets, requiring users who want to program ICs in surface-mount packages to plug adapters into these DIP sockets. Adapters add lead inductance, which can cause programming errors. Repeatedly inserting and removing adapters, even with zero-insertion-force sockets, can shorten a programmer’s life.

“Matchbook” carriers accommodate 20-, 28-, 32-, and 44-pin PLCCs. The 2700 can program more than 2200 device types. Unlike some competitors, Data I/O calls devices “different” only if they use different programming algorithms. Another unusual feature of the new programmer is an MS-Windows-based user interface that makes programmer operation easier for infrequent users than do DOS-based interfaces. -- by Dan Strassberg

Data I/O Corp, Redmond, WA. (800) 332-8246.