For programming of the mass production stage, download and install Nuvoton’s ICP programming software and use simple hardware settings to perform programming. The programming methods include Online ICP, which is connected to the computer, Offline ICP, which does not need to connect to the laptop; and the one-to-four mass programming; these can all be completed using the same ICP programming software. This article will introduce how to use Nuvoton’s ICP programming software to execute online ICP; follow the steps below on the simple GUI interface (Fig. 1) to complete online ICP.

Fig. 1 Online ICP setting steps

0. Hardware preparation

Connect the PCB board to the computer through the Nu-Link programming debugger, and the hardware preparation is completed.

1. Connect the chip

Open the ICP programming software, select the language and chip series, then press the connect button to connect to the target chip.

2. Programming setting
   1. Load the file to the program: You can choose to load an APROM, data Flash, LDROM, or SPROM file.
   2. Set configuration bits: For example, clock source or under-voltage voltage value, etc., or you can choose to perform secure encryption.
   3. Programming: Choose according to the loading position.
   4. Programming options: Preset erase, program, and restart the chip after programming; they can be selected as needed.
   5. Export: Select export under the project menu to save the settings into an ICP project file for future production use.

You can also choose not to execute export and skip directly to 3-3 to perform online ICP.

3. Online ICP

(Steps 1 and 2 only need to be executed when using the ICP file previously exported)

1. Import: Select import under the project menu and select the ICP file to use.
2. Reconnect chip: Press the connect button to connect to the target chip.
3. Start programming: Press start and confirm the information in the next window.
4. Change chip: Select batch programming mode in the confirmation window, and it will program automatically when a new chip is connected.

Nuvoton understands that customers may need to provide the designed coding and Nu-Link programming debugger to third parties to execute programming during the mass production stage. Therefore, Nuvoton ICP programming software provides the function to program Nu-Link Certification to perform binding protection for the coding and programmer. For detailed instructions, please refer to Chapter 5 (Online ICP coding protection) and Chapter 6 (Offline ICP coding protection) of the ICP programming software user guide.