Contents

• Main Screen
• Register Setup Dialog Box
• Waveform History Strip Chart Dialog Box
• Register Summary Dialog Box
• Calibration Values Dialog Box
• Pop-up Help Message Boxes
• Device Configuration File

Main Screen

Description

• The main display screen contains pull-down lists for DUT (device under test) and register selection, updating as appropriate for the DUT.
• Feedback values are displayed for target levels: either voltage (for 3- or 4-wire DUTs) or current (2-wire DUTs).
• Menu bar provides access to options settings and data displays.
• Closing the Main Screen automatically closes all other open display dialog boxes and terminates the program. ASEK programming software and the DUT are powered off.




Options menu

• Comm Port: Select the computer COM port to use for ASEK Board serial communication. COM1 through COM4 are selectable.
• Auto-Refresh: Sample ADCs and updates the soft meters in the screen every 500 ms.
• Disable Blow Warning: Prevents display of confirmation box when fuse blowing is selected.
• Disable Cal Warning: Prevents display of confirmation box when ASEK board has not been calibrated.

Device List drop-down box

• This is the first step in programming values.
• Allows selection of a device for which data is included in the device configuration file, device.cfg.
• This list is always available for selecting a different DUT type. When a different DUT type is selected in this drop-down box, the DUT Power switch is automatically set to the OFF position.

Register List drop-down box

• This is the second step in programming values.
• A pull-down list of programmable registers in the selected DUT; click an option to open the Register Setup Page.
• The Lock Device option enables the Enable Device Lock check box, starting the final phase, locking the DUT.

DUT Power switch

• Activates the device supply and updates the soft meters displayed in the screen.
• The value displayed below the switch is the level measured on the VCC Sense line on the ASEK Board.
• Clicking this switch again turns off the supply to the DUT and clears the settings in the ASEK programming software to prepare for evaluation of a different DUT.

Analog and digital results meter

• Displays the output pin voltage level for 3- or 4-wire devices, displays the supply current level for 2-wire devices.
• Below the analog meter image, the same value is displayed in digits.

Reset button

• Drops the device supply line voltage to the reset level, allowing DUT registers with intact fuses to decay.
• Restores normal DUT operating voltage after resetting registers.
• Values set in the ASEK software remain, allowing operator to use them with another DUT.

Enable Device Lock check box

• Enabled when the Lock Device option is selected in the Register List drop-down box.
• Click to enable the Lock button.

Lock button

• Enabled after the Lock Device option is selected in the Register List drop-down box, and the Enable Device Lock check box in the Main Screen is selected.
• Click to blow the device-level fuse.
  Warning! This permanently locks the device and prevents any additional programming. Ensure that all bitfield-level programming is completed (using the Register Setup dialog box) before locking the DUT.

Register Setup Dialog Box

Description

• This page displays bitfields and setting status for individual DUT parameter registers.
• White check boxes are not yet set, dimmed check boxes have already had their bitfield-level fuses blown.
• Provides controls for temporary modification of bitfield settings.
• Provides controls for permanently setting bitfields by blowing bitfield-level fuses.
• Not used for device locking, which is performed using controls in the Main Screen.

Activation

• Automatically opens when a register is selected in the Register List drop-down box in the Main Screen.
• Can be reopened by pressing CTRL + R, or by clicking View>Register Page on the Main Screen menu bar.

To program:

1. Observe the Device group to see the values currently in the DUT registers.
2. Set new values in the ASEK programming software:
   • In the Bitfields group, the bit position indicates its binary digit value. Bit 0 is the least significant bit. For example, Bit 3 is the "fours" position in binary notation, so setting Bit 3 is equivalent to adding 4₁₀ (decimal) or 100 ₂ (binary).
     • Select a white check box to set a bitfield (bit value 1).
     • Clear a white check box to unset a bitfield (keep the bit value at 0; 0 is the default after a reset).
   • Alternatively, use the Input group to enter a setting using decimal values.
   • Alternatively, use the INC and DEC buttons to raise and lower the settings to the next available value.

   Note: Depending on the previously blown bits, some values may no may no longer be available because the corresponding combination cannot be made when a 0 is required in a bitfield that has already been permanently set. Also, if the allowed value range for the register is passed, the software will automatically wrap back and restart at the opposite end of the range. In some cases, a particular bit is blocked for design reasons, and the corresponding bitfield checkbox does not appear. Values requiring that bit to be set (to binary 1) cannot be set for that register.

3. Click the WRITE button to download the new settings to the DUT and latch them temporarily into the DUT registers.
4. Observe the effect on the soft meter in the Main Screen or by using an external test instrument.
5. Adjust settings as necessary, clicking the WRITE button each time, and observing the results.
6. When the results are optimum, click the Enable Fuse Blowing check box.
7. Click the WRITE button to latch the current settings into the DUT registers.
   Note that the WRITE button changes to BLOW.
8. Click the BLOW button to blow the bitfield-level fuses.
   Warning! This blows all of the bitfield-level fuses for the settings shown in the dialog box, permanently setting the bitfields, and preventing any additional programming of those bitfields.
   
9. Click the scroll buttons above the Bitfields group to switch to another register, and repeat the above steps.
10. If programming is complete, click the DONE button to return to the Main Screen.
    
    Note: The values in the dialog box are retained in the ASEK programming software, and the settings temporarily latched into the DUT registers are retained in the DUT, until the DUT Power soft switch is turned off in the Main Screen. (The DUT Power switch is automatically turned off when a different device is selected in the Main Screen and when the ASEK software is closed).

Register Key/Name label

Shows the key code and name of the register currently being programmed.

Bitfields group

• Displays a check box for each bitfield in the register, allowing selection of new setting values directly, effectively by using binary numbers.
• Grayed check boxes have been previously set (setting latched) and the bitfield fuse blown.
  
  Note: Bitfields that are to remain 0 do not have their bitfield-level fuses blown. Instead, they are protected from accidentally being set when the device-level fuse is blown, after all other programming has been completed.
  
  
• White check boxes have intact fuses, and are available for programming. Selecting a check box sets that bit (a value equivalent to 1₂ in that binary digit position) in the ASEK programming software, and clearing a check box clears that bit position (restores that value to 0).

Input group

• Allows selection of new setting values using decimal numbers equivalent to the sum of the white check boxes in the Bitfields group.
• Type or click spinner buttons to change input value.
• Click the CLEAR button to delete settings from the dialog box (clearing the ASEK programming software).
  
  Note: To clear the registers in the DUT, first click the CLEAR button, then click the WRITE button.

Device group

• Set Value: The value already temporarily latched into the DUT register.
• Blown Value: The value permanently set in the DUT register (bitfield fuses blown).
• Total Value: The sum of the temporary and permanent bitfield settings in the DUT register.

Enable Fuse Blowing check box

• After the optimum setting has been determined, select this check box to enable permanent setting of the corresponding bitfields in the DUT register.
• By default, a confirmation box opens.
• This check box enables only when a valid setting has been entered.

Write/Blow button

• When in Write mode, clears the DUT bitfields with intact fuses, and downloads the currently selected value (the value shown in the white check boxes of the Bitfields group) from the ASEK programming software to the DUT register.
• When in Blow mode, clears the DUT bitfields with intact fuses, downloads the currently selected value from the ASEK programming software to the DUT register, and blows the corresponding bitfield-level fuses.

INC and DEC buttons

• Increment or decrement the current settings in the dialog box (in the ASEK programming software) and in the DUT registers to the next available setting.
• Take into account the state of bitfields already set.
• Take into account the bounds of the allowed range of values, and wrap back to the opposite end of the range.

Done button

Closes the Register Setup dialog box without changing the state of the ASEK programming software or in the DUT.

Waveform History Strip Chart Dialog Box

Description

• The strip chart shows a graphical representation of the waveform that is being generated by the ASEK Board for downloading to the DUT.
• The chart shows levels for both the supply terminal (in blue) and any non-supply trim or multiplexor terminal (in red), as appropriate for the selected DUT.
• The chart has a buffer for storing up to 1000 write operations, and can display up to 100 at a time (use the scroll bar in the middle to view additional portions of the waveform).
• The more recently applied operations appear toward the left side of the chart.

Note: The values displayed in this chart are for reference only, representing the voltage levels that were generated for downloading to the device, but are not actual measured levels or timing. When highly accurate real-time analysis is being performed, use of an oscilloscope is recommended.

Activation

Access by pressing CTRL + C, or by clicking View>Strip Chart on the Main Screen menu bar.

Clear Chart button

Clears the displayed and buffered values and refreshes the chart.

Done button

Hides the strip chart from view without affecting any stored values.

Scroll bar

A slider control located between the Clear Chart button and the Done button activates when more than 100 operations (the maximum that can be displayed at the same time) are stored in the history buffer. Click and drag the slider to left or right to view additional portions of the waveform.

Register Summary Dialog Box

Description

This page shows a brief summary of the current device information.

Activation

Access by pressing CTRL + S, or by clicking View>Summary on the Main Screen menu bar.

Device Name

The identifying name of the DUT (same as shown in Device Selection drop-down box in the Main Screen).

Device Type

The package configuration of the DUT.

Register Info

• This list contains the data for all of the programmable registers within the DUT.
• The register currently selected in the Register Setup dialog box (if any) is highlighted.
• These values are for display only, and cannot be modified in this dialog box.
  • Name: The valid register names for the current DUT.
  • Key: The register firmware key codes for the DUT registers. These codes represent the number of pulses to be generated to address the corresponding register.
  • Max: The total number of bits available for programming in that register.
  • Set: The current temporary setting in each register (if any).
  • Blown: The current permanent setting in each register (if any bitfield-level fuses have already been blown).

Note: If a particular device type does not allow multiple registers to be set at the same time, that will be reflected in this list.

Mode Info

This list contains the data for all of the valid modes for the DUT.

Note: When using the ASEK software, modes are managed automatically by the software. This information is of use primarily for manual programming or when writing test software for use outside of the ASEK software.

• Name: The valid mode names for the current device type.
• Key: The register firmware mode key codes for the DUT mode-setting registers. These codes represent the number of pulses to be generated to address the corresponding register.

Board identification

Displays information about the external programming board being used to control input and output for the DUT. Data is read from the device configuration file, device.cfg, and set when the board is calibrated. (See main PDF manual for calibration procedures; calibration is recommended, but not always necessary, before performing DUT evaluations.)

• Board Name: The name of the controller board; normally, the ASEK Board that is included in the kit.
• Board SN: The serial number of the controller board.
• Revision: The version identifier of the controller board.
• Firmware: The version identifier of the firmware loaded on the controller board.

Level, Volts

Displays information about the external programming parameters being used to operate the DUT during evaluation with the ASEK kit. Data is read from the device configuration file, device.cfg, and set when the board is calibrated. (See main PDF manual for calibration procedures; calibration is recommended, but not always necessary, before performing DUT evaluations.)

• High: The voltage level required to set registers and blow fuses in the DUT.
• Mid: A voltage level uses either for addressing or differentiating pulses, above the minimum level required to maintain the registers.
• Low: A voltage level uses either for addressing or differentiating pulses, above the minimum level required to maintain the registers.
• Vcc: The voltage level required to power the DUT during evaluation.
• Mux or Zener: If "Mux," reserved for Allegro use. If "Zener," (for DUTs programmed on the output pin) indicates the voltage required to offset for the bulk resistance of the Zener diode on the output line during reading of the DUT output.

Done button

Closes the Register Summary dialog box.

Calibration Values Dialog Box

Description

• This page shows the calibrated values used to read, write, and calibrate the A-to-D converters (ADC) and D-to-A converters (DAC) on the ASEK Board.
• Only values that are in blue and in recessed boxes can be modified.

Note: In general, calibration values are best adjusted using the Allegro Calibration Board and software. Adjustments in this window are primarily for making limited adjustments to evaluate the effect of specific values.



Activation

Access by pressing CTRL + V, or by clicking View>Values Page on the Main Screen menu bar.

Done button

Closes the Calibration Values dialog box.

Read/Write button

Reads current ADC values from the ASEK Board and writes changes made in the dialog box to the ASEK Board.

Save button

• Saves values to the initialization file, ASEK.INI, to be applied whenever the ASEK software is opened.
• Device-specific DAC levels are not saved, to prevent inadvertently overwriting standard values. The values are stored in the device configuration file, DEVICE.CFG, and can be updated manually by editing that file.

Auto-Refresh check box

Enables refreshing of the data in the Calibration Values dialog box during calibration, as if the Read/Write button were clicked every 500 ms.

Pop-up Help Message Boxes

Description

• The Pop-up Help Messages serve as a brief tutorial on using the ASEK kit.
• When the program begins and as each operation is performed, a Pop-up Help Message will describe the next step.
• Each message will only be shown once during a given program session.
• To disable the Pop-up Help Messages for the current session, press CTRL + P or clear the option Help>Popup Help Tips on the Main Screen menu bar.

Activation

If previously disabled, to reenable, press CTRL + P or select the option Help>Popup Help Tips on the Main Screen menu bar.

OK button

Closes the pop-up window temporarily. It will reopen at the next operation.

Next Message button

• Calls up the next pop-up help message.
• If the last message is being shown, clicking this button will take you back to the first message.

Show Popup Tips at Startup check box

If this box is checked, the pop-up help messages will automatically be displayed when the ASEK software is opened.

Device Configuration File

Description

• The DEVICE.CFG text file contains the device-specific configuration information required to access the programming modes and registers of each device type. The file is installed in the same root directory as the ASEK software executable file. The file is set to read-only by default to prevent accidental changes.
• The most current version of this file can be downloaded from the Allegro website On-Line Store and copied to the root directory. Alternatively, if the computer has access to the Internet, save a backup copy of the DEVICE.CFG file, and then, while in the ASEK software, update by pressing CTRL + U or clicking File>Update Cfg File on the Main Screen menu bar.
• To check the issuance date of the currently-installed version of the file, in the Main Screen, press CTRL + A or click Help>About on the menu bar. The entry after Config file: is the issuance date, in the format YY.MM.DD, representing the two-digit year, month, and date of issuance.

Note: Hardware configuration and calibration data is not included in this file.

Format

The basic format of the file is one commonly used for program configuration settings, the Keyword=Value pair, where each keyword plus an equal sign is followed by the appropriate value.

• Variable integer values are represented by the [INT] label.
• Variable real number values are represented by the [REAL] label.
• Variable alphanumeric string values are represented by the [STRING] label.
• Variable byte values (0-255) are represented by the [BYTE] label. These numbers can be entered as decimal or hexidecimal values.

Most of the entries are included in DeviceType= blocks, each of which define a separate DUT type in a DeviceName= block containing configuration data for a single device that can be evaluated using the ASEK kit (check for latest version).

     .
     .
     .
  DeviceType=

     DeviceName=
        .
        .
        .
       ModeName=
           .
           .
           .
       ModeEnd=

       RegisterName=
           .
           .
           .
       RegisterEnd=

  DeviceEnd=
     .
     .
     .
  

Note: There is no closing keyword for the DeviceName= block.

Vocabulary

Following is a list of the currently valid keywords:

Revision=[STRING YY.MM.DD]

Indicates the issuance date of the current file.

• YY is the two-digit year of issuance [00 to 99].
• MM is the calendar month [01 to 12].
• DD is the calendar date [01 to 31].

DeviceType=[STRING]

Begins a device description block for a single instance (DUT) of the device type indicated.

• The end of the device block is signaled by the DeviceEnd= keyword.
• Indicates the number of pins for the DUT.

DeviceEnd=

• Indicates the end of the current DeviceType= block.
• No value is required to the right of equal (=) sign.

The following keywords define a DeviceName= block, and appear as appropriate for the individual device.

DeviceName=[STRING]

The device name displayed in the Device Selection drop-down box.

• Initiates a DeviceName= block, which contains a set of configuration keywords.
• There is no terminating keyword for a DeviceName= block.

DeviceText=[STRING]

Determines the descriptor that appears in the Main Screen, under the Device List drop-down box. This value may be edited to assist operators.

GroundPin=[STRING]

Determines which pin is configured as the device ground.
Valid arguments are Pin2 or Pin4 as appropriate to the device.

ModePin=[STRING]

Determines which pin is used to program device modes, when modes are available.
Valid arguments are Pin1, Pin2, or Pin3 as appropriate to the device.

MuxPin=[STRING]

Determines which pin controls the internal device multiplexor, when a multiplexor is available.
Typically, Pin3 is the only valid argument. The default value is None.

OutputPin=[STRING]

Determines which pin is configured as the device output.

• Valid arguments are Pin2 or Pin3 as appropriate to the device.
• Two-wire devices do not require an output pin statement.

TrimPin=[STRING]

Determines which pin is used to program the device registers.
Valid arguments are Pin1, Pin2 or Pin3 as appropriate to the device.

ModeWrap=[INT]

Sets the value for the mode key, that will wrap the device back to the first mode.
This keyword is omitted for devices that do not have this capability.

RegisterWrap=[INT]

Sets the value for the register key, that will wrap the device back to the first register.
This keyword is omitted for devices that do not have this capability.

VccTestLevel=[REAL]

Sets the static supply level to be held after the programming waveform ends.
This is the V_CC level at which all measurements are taken.

ZenerOffset=[REAL]

(For DUTs programmed on the output pin.) Indicates the voltage required to offset for the bulk resistance of the Zener diode on the output line during reading of the DUT output. Added to sensed output voltage for final display reading.

AutoMode=[STRING]

Determines if the ASEK software automatically manages the transitions between Try Value mode and Blow Fuse mode during programming.

• Default value is True.
• Setting True hides the Mode Select drop-down box in the Main screen of the programming utility.

HoldLevel=[STRING]

Determines if the ASEK software automatically maintains operating voltage levels while changing between registers while in Try mode (for devices with modes).
Default value is True.

ExcludeBlownBits=[STRING]

Determines if the ASEK software automatically grays the check boxes of previously blown bits in the Register Setup dialog box.
Default value is True.

EdgeLogic=[STRING]

Indicates if the device is programmed using rising edge logic or falling edge logic.
Device dependant: Rising or Falling.

MuxHighLevel=[REAL]

Sets the high pulse level for multiplexor toggle pulses.
The low level is assumed to be zero volts.

ProgLowLevel=[REAL]

Sets the lowest pulse level for programming waveforms.
Device dependant.

ProgMidLevel=[REAL]

Sets the middle key pulse level for programming waveforms.
Device dependant.

ProgHighLevel=[REAL]

Sets the high pulse level for programming waveforms.
This level is used for the key pulses as well as the locking pulse.
Device dependant.

The following mode-definition keyword sets appear as appropriate to the device, within a DeviceName= block.

ModeName=[STRING]

Sets the display string to be used in the Register Summary dialog box.

• Marks the beginning of a ModeName= block.
• The end of the ModeName= block is specified by the ModeEnd= keyword.
• Valid entries are: Try Mode, Blow Mode, and Lock Mode.

ModeKey=[BYTE]

Sets the number of pulses required to put the device in the specified mode.

ModeType=[STRING]

• Specifies the type of mode.
• Valid types are: Read, Write, Test, and Lock.
• The default type is Test.

ModeEnd=

• Indicates the end of the current ModeName= block.
• No value is required to the right of the equal (=) sign.

The following register-definition keyword sets appear as appropriate to the device, within a DeviceName= block.

RegisterName=[STRING]

• Sets the display string that appears in the Register List drop-down box in the Main Screen.
• Marks the beginning of a RegisterName= block.
• The end of the RegisterName= block is specified by the RegisterEnd= keyword.

RegisterKey=[BYTE]

Sets the number of key pulses required to select the register.

RegisterMask=[INT]

• Sets the maximum value that can be written to the register.
• This number also represents the bitfield pattern of the register.

RegisterType=[STRING]

• Specifies the register type.
• Valid types are: Test, Lock, and Modal.
• The default type is Test.

WrapCode=[INT]

• Sets the pulse count that will wrap the register back to a zero value.
• This keyword is omitted for registers that do not wrap around.
• This keyword is omitted for large registers that could take quite a long time to wrap around.

SkipCode=[INT]

• Indicates a programming code that exists in the register, but which cannot be used for programming, for design reasons.
• Hides the bitfield check box in the Register Setup dialog box.

RegisterEnd=

• Indicates the end of the register block.
• No value is required to the right of equal (=) sign.

Refer to the PDF user manual or contact your
Allegro field service representative for more information.