May 19, 2008 - The universal, standalone in-system programmer specifically designed for the production environment (FlashRunner) has now been enriched with a set of security features that make the contents of the binary file to be programmed to the target device not readable (and not duplicable) by non-authorized people. Additionally, the protection system extends to the programming cycle, preventing production personnel from tampering with the programming flow.

With the FlashRunner Data Protection System:

• Binary image files cannot be read/modified by unauthorized people;
• The production operator cannot alter the programming cycle as set up by the production engineer.

The Data Protection System works by encrypting the FlashRunner SD card with an administrator password; without the administrator password, FlashRunner usage is limited, allowing the production personnel to only execute a pre-set programming flow, without being able to read, copy or modify the binary code. In a typical scenario, the production engineer sets up a FlashRunner SD card, by copying there the binary code to be programmed together with the desired programming flow. The SD card is then encrypted and handed to the production facility.

FlashRunner is a high-performance, standalone in-system programmer specific for Flash-based microcontrollers and serial memories. FlashRunner is targeted at production environments, easily integrates into your programming system or Automatic Test Equipment (ATE), and can work either in full standalone mode or controlled by a host system.

FlashRunner features state-of-the-art electronics to provide you with high integration flexibility in a compact footprint. The following are FlashRunner's main features:

• Fastest programming algorithms (as fast as target device's memory technology limit), approved by silicon manufacturers;
• Easy ATE integration;
• Standalone operations (projects and code images stored on a memory card);
• Also controllable by any host system via RS-232 or Ethernet;
• Supports most ISP protocols (BDM, JTAG, SPI, I2C, MON, ICC, SCI, etc.);
• Flexible, fully configurable;
• Compact and robust design for production environments (optoisolated control signals);
• Data integrity guaranteed (every data transfer to/from the host system or Secure Digital card is CRC tagged).

Moreover, FlashRunner's open architecture makes its firmware easily upgradable to support both new devices and new features.