by Scott Bronstad | Oct 31, 2022 | Events, News
BPM loves Halloween… so we got all the guys and ghouls together for a pizza party and costume contest. The top three costumes will get One Million Dollars… Gift Cards of more appropriate amounts.
We also celebrated a new employee joining us today– Mike Myers.
Because of a clerical error, we inadvertently used the wrong photograph of Mr. Myers. The correct photo is above.
Mike comes to us with extensive experience in Human Resources marketing and will become a special assistant to the Marketing Manager. “Yeah, Baby!” says Mr. Myers.
The top three costumes will get One Million Dollars…
(not really)
- The first prize went to Paul (scawwy skull biker)
- Second to Kathy (the talking Mime)
- The third prize goes to Penny (Ms. Dexter)
- Honorable mention goes to Mr. Long (Woof!)
by Colin Harper | Oct 26, 2022 | Case Study, How To, News, Technology
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noun |
| sä-kət |
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| Definition of socket: |
an opening or hollow that forms a holder for something |
| Source: |
Merriam-Webster |
“Socket” can mean different things depending on the context. Even in just electronics, “sockets” can mean more than one thing.
When BPM uses the term “socket,” it is referring to the electro-mechanical interface between the BPM programmer and the programmable device.
BPM pioneered using socket adapters to increase the usefulness of their programmers. In the “old” days, you had to buy a programmer for each type of device needed (which might mean a new programmer for a different pin count). Socket Adapters are the mechanical “bridge” between the programmer’s programming site and the device to be programmed. A software algorithm is needed as well, which directs where the packets of data go. Most programmers sold in the last 15 years or so use adapters.
There are two main components on an adapter: A circuit board with connector pins that insert into the programmer’s site, and a socket receptacle. The circuit board, due to its structure, is unlikely to fail before millions of insertions. There are no “mechanical” parts, with the exception of the connectors. Not so with the receptacle. The receptacle is “closed” in its resting state. In order to open the receptacle to insert a device, pressure is applied to the top (either by hand, by a lever, or by a pressure plate in an automated system). Some large device sockets utilize a clam-shell top to close. Receptacles, due to their mechanical nature, are subject to failure after a certain number of insertions. For standard socket receptacles, you can expect anywhere from 5,000 to as many as 25,000 insertions. High insertion sockets (HIC) are rated for 250,000 insertions.
BPM does not limit the number of insertions on its sockets (many of our competitors do). We do give the operator a warning that a socket has reached its factory-expected life.
Most BPM sockets come with a receptacle base. Receptacle-base socket modules and socket cards include a receptacle interface between the printed circuit board and the socket. This allows you to replace only the individual consumable socket once it reaches its useful life. This has proven to extend the life of the socket module and socket card, producing higher yields and lowering programming cost per device.
3 Classes of Adapters
BPM designs and produces a variety of socket adapters, and offers three classes of socket adapters:
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Socket Modules (Legacy Adapters)
- 6th Gen programmers: FSM*, FASM*, FXSM*, FXASM*
- 7th Gen model programmers: FSM*, FASM*, FXSM*, FXASM*, FX2SM*, FX4SM*, FXASM*, FX2ASM*, FX4ASM*
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D-Cards (Daughter card replacement assembly)
- LSM*, LASM*, LXSM*, LXASM*, LX2SM*, LX2ASM*, LX4SM*, LX4ASM*
- 6th and 7th Gen programmer socket module daughter card replacement assembly
- In limited cases, D-Cards are compatible with 9th Gen programmers, as specified within the BPWin support list
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Socket Cards
- FVE*, FVE2*, FVE4*, FVEG*
- Socket Cards are used with Flashstream, 8th Gen, 9th Gen, and 10th Gen programmers, where listed in the support list
- Socket cards are not used with Legacy 6 and 7th Gen programmers. See Socket Modules (above)
- FVEG adapters are gang design, meaning there are multiple sockets on a single pc board.
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Gang Adapters
FVXG adapters are gang adapters that are only compatible with 10th Generation programmers.- All sockets share the same pc board on a gang adapter
- FVXG8 is a gang 8 adapter with 8 sockets per board.
- FVXG6 is a gang 6 adapter with 6 sockets per board.
- Similarly, BPM could design FVXG2 (two up), FVXG3 (three up), FVXG4 (four up), or FVXG5 (five up) adapters.
- IMPORTANT: The pressure plates used for 10th Gen automated programmers are heavier gauge stainless steel than the pressure plates used for all other Generation programmers. The pressure required to open up to 8 sockets is double that required for 4-sockets per site automated programmers.
BPM Device Programmers | Socket Modules/Socket Cards | Socket Name Decoder | Extend Socket Life Article | Buy Sockets
by Scott Bronstad | Oct 4, 2022 | Announcements, Automotive, News, Technology
By Stelios Diamantidis, Senior Director, Synopsys Autonomous Design Solutions
There hasn’t been another time in recent memory where semiconductors have become critical to fueling the electronics industry’s economic framework. The global chip shortage has become abundantly clear, which continues to distress industry sectors from automotive to consumer electronics.
In addition to holding back global economic growth and making life difficult for consumers and businesses worldwide, the shortfall in manufacturing capacity is uneven, affecting legacy process nodes far more than mid-performance nodes.
While semiconductor experts have been hard at work on scoping solutions, the situation has looked insoluble- simply put, semiconductors are extremely hard to design and manufacture; supply chain effects are very difficult to absorb due to this lack of flexibility.
Enter silicon remastering, a new AI-driven design framework with the potential to transform the global chip supply chain. To understand how we must acknowledge the root of the problem: an imbalance in manufacturing capacity. Process nodes built on legacy silicon technologies are in extremely short supply. With them running out, using past technologies to replenish them is no longer a viable option.
Read the full Embedded Computing Design article here
Automotive Device Shortage Update | Bring Device Programming In-House (Video) |
by Scott Bronstad | Sep 19, 2022 | Announcements, News
BPM is pleased to update the estimated support lead times for a variety of devices
BPM has nearly doubled the engineering staff in Device Support in the past year. We have more resources than we’ve ever had and adding even more team members. This is helping to reduce lead times for new device support requests (DSRs). We’ve also segmented support by device type and complexity. The following chart breaks it down:
| Algo Device Support Request by Device Type |
Algo Lead Time |
| Simple Update: |
5 Days |
| Package Addition: |
2 Weeks |
| NOR Flash, Serial NOR Flash, EEPROM, Serial EEPROM, Parallel EEPROM, Raw NAND, eMMC, HS200 or HS400 eMMC, Simple PLD: |
4 Weeks |
| Simple Microcontroller, Standard Microcontroller: |
4 to 8 Weeks (depends on complexity) |
| Complex PLD, Actel Flash, Actel Antifuse: |
8 Weeks |
| Raw NAND with BBM, Complex Microcontroller, FPGA, BBM Scheme, Complex Xilinx Antifuse: |
Requires Research to Quote |
BPM currently supports over 70,000 devices from over 200 manufacturers. For the supported device search, click here.
Current BPM customers get free Algorithm Support Credits (up to six $500 credits) for new support with a current Software Agreement. Manual production programmers get four algorithm credits; Automated Programmers get six algorithm credits, good for one year. You can learn more here. To request new device support with faster device support lead times, click here.
Support Agreement
BPM’s production level support agreement is designed for those customers who run critical operations and demand the highest level of support possible, and includes the following:
- 24/7 Hotline: +1 832-617-5702
You can report issues with device production outside of normal business hours. The customer will be put into contact with a live Field Service Engineer (for APS-related issues) or Customer Service Engineer (for device-related issues). Engineers will work with customers to collect all data on the issue, provide debug steps to resolve the issue over the phone, and will immediately create a BPM case if the issue requires additional time to resolve. This service is available to any BPM customer located in North America (Canada, the US, and Mexico). Fees apply if not covered by the current service/software contract.
- Spare Parts
Warranty replacement parts can ship from our headquarters in Houston, Texas, or directly from one of our global stock locations. Warranty replacement does not cover consumable parts or damage caused by the customer. In the case of local spare parts, customers have had replacement parts at their facility installed in less than 30 minutes.
- Priority Case Handling
You will receive priority in our new customer relationship management system. All of your incoming cases will receive a special tag that designates you as a full support user and we will prioritize your requests as necessary.
- On-Site Support
On-site support does not require a PO for labor hours when you are under a hardware contract.
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about BPM or have a service or technical-related question, please call +1 (713) 688-4600, toll-free in the US at (855) SELL BPM, or 24/7 Service hotline at +1 (832) 617-5702. You can also email technical support at tech@bpmmicro.com.
How to Program In-House | Device Programmers from BPM
by Scott Bronstad | Sep 19, 2022 | Announcements, News, Technology
On September 15, 2022, during a TV morning show appearance, General Motors CEO Mary Barra predicted the current device shortage will continue through 2023 and possibly beyond. “It’s getting a little better, but I frankly think it’s something that’s going to last into next year, maybe a little beyond,” says Ms. Barra.
GM recently paused Silverado production for a week at the Silao plant where 8,000 people are employed.
In June, GM declared that its Buick-brand vehicles will go fully electric by 2030. Fully Electric Vehicles (EV) have an even higher percentage of microchips than their gasoline-powered cousins, which much be addressed, as well as infrastructure such as recharging stations.
Microchip shortages are more complex than simpler parts. Each programmable device requires a value-added program uploaded to add functionality. Therefore, it’s not as simple as ordering more devices, but also allocating programming services (which can be outsourced or done in-house in a variety of ways– See the top 5 ways here).
To read the full article, click here.
Best ways to Program Devices | Read Article | Bringing Device Programming In-House
by Scott Bronstad | Sep 6, 2022 | Automotive, News
Most automotive companies continue to experience shortages of critical parts and components, driven by supply chain issues since 2020. In an excellent article from Electronics Weekly, titled “Auto chip shortage could be easing,” David Manners points to several signs the shortages of semiconductors may be behind us in the next year.
Causes of the chip shortages
From the article, here are some of the reasons for the global automotive shortages
Automotive manufacturers cut back on semiconductor orders severely at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The auto companies were fearful of being stuck with excess inventories of cars if demand fell significantly due to the pandemic. When the automakers tried to increase orders, they had lost their place in line and were behind other industries such as PCs and smartphones.
Many automakers used a just-in-time ordering system to avoid excess inventories. This left them with almost no buffer inventories. Also, most semiconductors used in automotive are bought by the companies supplying the systems (engine controls, dashboard electronics, etc.) rather than the automakers, leading to a more complex supply chain.
Semiconductors used in automobile production have long design-in cycles and must be qualified; thus, it is difficult for an automaker to change suppliers in the short term.
The article looks at all the big automakers and their prospects for returning to full production; it also highlights what the semi-houses are doing to ramp up to meet demand. Learn more about how BPM manufactures all its systems in their ISO 9001:2015 certified plant located in Houston, Texas; find out how BPM makes device programming easy, fast, and affordable at bpmmicro.com/device-programmers.
Read Electronic Weekly Article
Other links:
