Cyclone Control SDK: Automated Flash Programming with Rust
The Cyclone Control SDK is a software development kit with a comprehensive API that allows developers to seamlessly integrate Cyclone LC and Cyclone FX programmers into their applications. They can manipulate SAP images, launch SAP images, retrieve programming results, and update settings. This blog post demonstrates the use of the SDK in a Rust application.
STMicroelectronics: Provisioning/Securing STM32H563 Devices with TrustZone Enabled (Certificate Authentication)
PEmicro's programming tools support provisioning and securing of STMicroelectronics' STM32H563 devices in both TrustZone enabled and TrustZone disabled configurations. This tutorial demonstrates a sequence for programming the device into a secure, TrustZone enabled state. Secure and non-secure code and data images are programmed, Debug Authentication is enabled with certificate access, and the OEM-iRoT is provisioned.
Generating a Programming Image/Job From The Command-Line
Users who are managing production programming may have to work with a large number of stand-alone programming (SAP) image files, and may face the need to continually regenerate these images with new binaries, which can pose problems. PEMicro's Cyclone Control Suite offers a powerful yet flexible set of utilities to automate control of the Cyclones on the production line and help address this type of issue. This article describes how to fully automate the process of generating stand-alone programming (SAP) image files to remove the chance of errors that could occur when the process is done manually.
PEmicro Adds Supports for Infineon 32-bit TRAVEO(tm) T2G ARM® Cortex® Microcontrollers
Update, July 28, 2023: PEmicro now supports entire Traveo T2G family including 32-bit Traveo T2G Arm Cortex for Cluster. PEmicro's development and production tools now support Infineon's 32-bit Traveo(tm) T2G ARM® Cortex® devices. This includes both subfamilies Traveo T2G Arm Cortex for Body and Traveo T2G Arm Cortex for Cluster. T2G microcontrollers are based on ARM Cortex-M4 (Single core) / M7 (Single core/Dual core) and deliver high-performance, enhanced human-machine interfaces, high security, and advanced networking protocols tailored for a broad range of automotive applications such as electrification, body control modules, gateway, and infotainment applications.
Flagchip as Flagship Devices Now Supported by PEmicro Tools
Update, July 20, 2023: PEmicro will be adding support for Flagchip as Flagship's FC7300F devices to those mentioned below. PEmicro's development and production tools now support Flagchip as Flagship devices. The FC4150 device features a Cortex-M4 with FPU/DSP, 8K Cache, with 8MPU region. The Feature List available on the device webpage includes many impressive additional features, including support for 3xCAN with FD and 3xCAN without FD. PEmicro's Cyclone programmers can be used for secure production programming of FC4150 devices, including control and automation. In addition, Multilink debug probes with PROGACMP programmer, and GDB Server Eclipse IDE plug-in are ideally suited for the development process.
PEmicro Tools Add Support for Blue Whale CVM0116 & CVM0118 Devices
PEmicro's development and production tools now support Blue Whale devices. The M01xx devices are designed for automotive electronic control applications, with a focus on high reliability, flexibility, and versatility. PEmicro's Cyclone programmers can be used for secure production programming of M01xx devices, including control and automation. In addition, Multilink debug probes with PROGACMP programmer, and GDB Server Eclipse IDE plug-in are ideally suited for the development process.
PEmicro Displays Latest Tech at NXP Connects 2023
PEmicro is proud to be a sponsor of NXP Connects in Silicon Valley, which takes place Tues., June 13 and Weds., June 14. NXP Connects is NXP's flagship training event that brings together many industry leaders in the embedded systems field. Attendees are encouraged to visit PEmicro's booth at E36 in the Tech Lab area to see Senior Design Engineer Takao Yamada demonstrate some of our latest features and technology.
PEcloud Launches: A Cloud-Based, Production Programming Management Platform
PEmicro has announced the launch of PEcloud, a cutting-edge platform that offers unparalleled control and visibility into users' production programming Jobs which run worldwide on Cyclone programmers. Previously the Cyclone used only SAP (Stand-Alone Programming) Images. Now Cloud-Connected Jobs are a new type of programming image that use a secure connection from the Cyclone to the PEcloud platform to provide additional control, features, and visibility to the user. PEcloud users manage these Jobs in their own Virtual Factories (VFs). Each VF space can be organized as the user sees fit in order to connect specific Cyclones, programming Jobs, and PEcloud users together logistically. Users can upload programming Jobs to PEcloud, which provides an easy-to-use online interface to manage workflow. Or a Job can also be loaded onto a local Cyclone without use of the cloud, but the cloud can still be used to monitor and manage it.
MindMotion Devices Now Supported by Cyclone and Multilink Tools
Note: This blog post was updated on 05 April 2023 to reflect new support for the MindMotion MM32F Series. PEmicro's development and production tools now support MindMotion's MM32 SPIN and MM32F family of microcontrollers. MindMotion products and solutions are widely used in industrial control systems, smart homes, wearable applications, automotive electronics, instrumentations, and many other fields. MM32SPIN is designed for motor drive and control. MM32F is designed for the general purpose and high performance market.
Cyclone Control Suite Supported on Linux/macOS
Watch PEmicro demonstrate a first-look into this new feature at Embedded World 2023, March 14-16 -- Hall 4, Booth 648. Check for updates soon for when this will be publicly released in the cyclone software installer. PEmicro's Cyclone programmers will soon support advanced control and automation features in both Linux and macOS. This support extends to all the three components of the Cyclone Control Suite - the Control GUI, Control Console, and Control SDK - which gives the user a great deal of flexibility when planning a solution. 
PEmicro at ST Technology Tour in Burlington, MA (and Cyclone FX Giveaway)
PEmicro is attending ST Technology Tour 2022 - Burlington on Weds., November 2. Our demonstration will use a Cyclone FX to program and run a series of custom test applications, query a remote server for data and then use the data retrieved to perform key Injection on the target, and program dynamic data. We'll have a booth running this demo at certain points during the day: Please come visit us!
PEmicro at NXP Technology Days in Detroit (and Cyclone FX Giveaway)
PEmicro is attending NXP Technology Days 2022 - Detroit on Tues., October 18 and Weds., October 19. We'll be demonstrating a possible upcoming Cyclone FX feature - the concept that the Cyclone could query a server for dynamic data including private and public keys, install a key and run a test application on the target device, and then if testing is successful, program the final image onto the target. We'll have a booth running this demo during lunch and dinner Tech Labs - please come visit us!
Advanced Automation Features Now Included On All Cyclones (Update Download Available)
Automation features have always been central to PEmicro's Cyclone programmers because of the customization and control they give users over the crucial production programming process. The right features implemented well can result in significant savings of time and money. PEmicro now makes all of our advanced control/automation features standard with every Cyclone. Cyclone LC users (PEmicro part#s Cylcone-LC-UNIV and Cyclone-LC-ARM) can update their Cyclone software now to immediately add these powerful features at no additional cost. The updated software can be downloaded here: Cyclone LC and Cyclone FX Installation Software.
Cyclone Control Suite Adds Windows 64-bit Library
PEmicro has added 64-bit Windows libraries to the Cyclone Control Suite. Now available in the Cyclone LC and Cyclone FX Installation Software. The 32-bit library and other deliverables are located in: C:\PEMicro\cyclone\cycloneControl\controlsdk\deploy\win32 The 64-bit library and other deliverables are located in C:\PEMicro\cyclone\cycloneControl\controlsdk\deploy\win64 In addition, the python example has been updated to automatically load the appropriate DLL depending on your platform. Please note that the CycloneControlGUI and CycloneControlConsole applications remain 32-bit. Please contact technical-info@pemicro.com if you have any questions about our 64 bit support.
Cyclone Programming Overview for STMicroelectronics Devices
The process of setting up Cyclone programmers to perform production programming at a local or remote facility is simple and straightforward. PEmicro's Cyclones support programming of STMicroelectronics' popular STM32 and Bluetooth Low-Energy (BlueNRG) devices, as well as the SPC5 automotive and STM8 8-bit families. In addition, Cyclone programmers leverage PEmicro's ProCryption Security to use industry-standard RSA/AES cryptography to safeguard programming images containing valuable IP. The IP owner also gains added control over factors like when and how many devices can be programmed, and how many errors are allowed. This article will provide an overview of Cyclone programming - what the various components are and how they interact - and then explore the security aspect of the production programming process, in order to show that IP security does not need to be unduly complicated or expensive to be effective.
Launch Cyclone Programming Via The 10-pin Control Port (With a Raspberry Pi Example)
PEmicro Cyclones feature "Cyclone Programming Control Port" functionality via the 10-pin expansion I/O interface on the Cyclone, which allows external signal control of programming operations. The Cyclone Programming Control Port may be used to launch programming as well as read the IDLE/BUSY state of the cyclone and the SUCCESS/ERROR result of the last programming operation. The port I/O operates from 1.6v-5.5v. These signals can be interfaced to by ATE (Automated Test Equipment), external buttons / LEDs, microcontrollers, etc.
PEmicro Adds Support For Nuvoton NuMicro® M45x Devices
PEmicro's tools now support Nuvoton's NuMicro® M45x devices. Nuvoton M45x devices are innovative ARM processors designed for a variety of applications, including Industrial Automation, PLCs, Inverters, Home Automation, Portable Data Collector, USB Accessories, Smart Card Readers, and Motor Control.
PEmicro Hardware Adds Support for Renesas’ RA Family of Arm® Cortex®-M based MCUs
Cyclone and Multilink products from PEmicro now support Renesas’ RA device family. RA processors provide stronger embedded security, superior CoreMark® performance and ultra-low power operation.
Renesas Synergy S1/S3/S5/S7 Devices Now Supported by Cyclone & Multilink
PEmicro's Cyclone in-system programmers and Multilink debug probes now support programming of the Renesas Synergy™ S1, S3, S5 and S7 series of MCUs. Renesas Synergy Platform MCUs offer a variety of performance and feature sets and are ideal for IoT products and mobile devices. The S5 series focuses on high integration and the S7 series focuses on high performance.
PEmicro Not Affected By Log4j Vulnerability
PEmicro's website and our shipped software are not affected by the recent Apache log4j vulnerability. Users with additional questions or concerns may contact us at: technical-info (at) pemicro.com
PEmicro Announces Development Tool Support for NXP’s New S32K3 Automotive MCU Family
PEmicro, an NXP® Semiconductors Gold Partner, has announced a range of development tool support for the S32K3 Automotive MCU family for next generation body, zone, and domain control applications. Tightly integrated with NXP’s evaluation boards and S32 Design Studio IDE, PEmicro tools provide a powerful platform for the evaluation, development, and production programming stages of the product cycle.
PEmicro Legacy Hardware Support Notice (In Effect As of 1 Oct. 2021)
Beginning October 1, 2021 the latest versions of PEmicro software will only be tested against and designed to work with the following PEmicro hardware interfaces: MULTILINK DEBUG PROBES (2015+) CYCLONE PROGRAMMERS (2016+)
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Infineon TriCore™ Devices (DAP only) Now Supported by Cyclone LC/FX Universal Programmers
PEmicro's Cyclone LC Universal and Cyclone FX Universal programmers have added support for Infineon's AUDO™ TC1xx and AURIX™ TC2xx and TC3xx TriCore devices, which are are ideal for optimized motor control applications and signal processing tasks. This makes them a preferred choice for many automotive and industrial applications.
Verify a Programmed Device via Checksum
The most common mechanism for verifying a programmed device is via the Verify Module command which verifies programmed memory against object files on a byte-by-byte basis. PEmicro also has several verification mechanisms which use Checksums/CRCs. The Verify Checksum (VC) command automatically calculates checksum values for all flash memory ranges in a user's object files. The programmer then runs an algorithm to calculate checksums for these device regions and compares it to the ones calculated from the object file. The advantage of this method is that it is faster than byte by byte verification when the debug connection is slow. The Verify Module CRC to Value (VV) command calculates a checksum for the entire device and compares it to a value provided by the user. This is often used as an addition step after byte by byte verification to check the state of the entire flash (even unprogrammed regions).
PEmicro Discusses Cyclone Programmer Security in Embedded Online Conference Presentation
The Embedded Online Conference is a virtual conference for Embedded Systems, DSP, Machine Learning and FPGA Engineers, which is taking place on Weds. May 20 & Thurs. May 21, 2020. PEmicro is offering a presentation that describes the security measures that are used on Cyclone programmers to protect valuable IP. PEmicro president Kevin Perreault discusses Cyclone cryptography, restrictions on programming images, the ease with which a user can implement these security features, and more. Watch the presentation on the Show Floor page.
Comparison of the Classic Automated Control Package and the Cyclone Control SDK
Note: The Classic Automated Control Package is no longer available, neither in its paid nor free editions, as it was tied to the legacy V1 license model. Information on updating to the current Cyclone models, which include free automation and control features for one or more Cyclones, is available on the Legacy Harware Transition page. PEmicro's Classic Automated Control Package is an older product that enables users to to control and automate the production process with PEmicro's legacy Cyclones (Cyclone PRO, Cyclone MAX, Cyclone for Renesas, Cyclone for ARM devices, Cyclone for STMicro). PEmicro most recent control package is the Cyclone Control Suite, which is included with all next generation touchscreen Cyclones (Cyclone LC and Cyclone FX). Like the Classic Automated Control Package, the newer Cyclone Control Suite also includes an SDK (called the Cyclone Control SDK). Those who use the Classic Automated Control Package but are upgrading to a Cyclone LC or Cyclone FX programmer might have questions about the new Cyclone Control SDK, such as:
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3 Upgrades Add Cyclone FX Advanced Features to the Cyclone LC
The Cyclone FX comes standard with many advanced features which aren't available by default on the Cyclone LC series of programmers. PEmicro offers a licensing mechanism to add three of these advanced Cyclone FX features to the Cyclone LC : ProCryption programming protection and encryption, Advanced Automation, and external SD card storage for images.
Cyclone Control SDK: Automated Flash Programming with C#
The Cyclone Control SDK is a software development kit with a comprehensive API that allows custom applications to control multiple Cyclones in stand alone programming operations and to read/update Cyclone settings. This blog post demonstrates the use of the SDK in the Microsoft Visual C# language. NOTE: The examples in this blog are shown in Microsoft Visual C#. The Cyclone Control SDK includes interface code and demo applications for GCC, Microsoft Visual C, Microsoft Visual C#, Delphi/FPC, Labview, Python, Rust, and Microsoft Visual Basic.
Using Automatically Counting Serial Numbers Managed on the Cyclone
PEmicro's Cyclone programmers are able to program and increment sophisticated serial numbers which are automatically shared between programming images though the use of unique serial number IDs. There are several cases where this is very useful. The first is when a user may want to update their firmware for a product to a new version but the serial number to have persistence. The user may also have different products that need to be programmed with different firmware, but still want to have those products draw from the same serialization sequence. Serial numbers are automatically shared by images within a Cyclone and can be easily shared globally across Cyclones if the programming image is cloud connected.
JTAG Daisy Chaining MCUs With PEmicro Multilink & Cyclone
Dec. 2018 - We've updated this blog post with more info about Multilink and Cyclone implementation... The JTAG specification introduced daisy chaining of MCUs in order to reduce the number of headers required to debug and program multiple MCUs. JTAG daisy chaining allows multiple MCU’s (and other JTAG compatible hardware, such as FPGAs) to share a single debug header. PEmicro currently supports daisy chaining of ARM-Cortex MCUs via our Cyclone programmers and Multilink debug probes. The same is true for most PEmicro software, including our Eclipse plugin GDB Server, and our Cyclone automation and control packages.
PEmicro Adds Support for STMicroelectronics' STM8AL Devices
PEmicro has announced the addition of support and features for a new set of STMicroelectronics’ STM8 devices to PEmicro's diverse line of embedded systems tools. STMicroelectronics’ STM8AL ultra-low-power series for automotive applications stresses green energy, application safety and power efficiency with the use of these microcontrollers. PEmicro’s powerful Cyclone Universal and Cyclone Universal FX stand-alone programmers now support these and many other families of STMicroelectronics’ devices. Current users of compatible PEmicro products can update their product firmware to add support for these devices. The corresponding programming algorithms can be downloaded from PEmicro's online support center.
Cyclone Control SDK: Automated Flash Programming with LabVIEW®
April 2021 - We've updated this blog post with more information about gang operation. PEmicro is excited to announce the release of a library of LabVIEW VI components as well as a sample project as part of the Cyclone Control Suite. This new feature facilitates easy integration of Cyclone stand-alone programmers into production applications developed in LabVIEW®.
Gang Programming with Cyclone Programmers
A volume production solution often relies on simultaneous gang programming of different target boards to meet speed and throughput requirements. This programming scenario may integrate Cyclone programmers into a fixture which interfaces to a panel of boards to be programmed. Programming is commonly controlled and monitored from a local computer, especially when customized dynamic data is being added to the main binary image that is being programmed into each target. PEmicro’s gang programming solution is to control many Cyclone programmers simultaneously via the Cyclone Control Suite. A mix of programming images, targets, and data can be simultaneously programmed into many devices while maintaining a high level of performance because each Cyclone is itself an independently operating programmer.
Cyclone Control Suite: Cyclone Control Console
The Cyclone Control Console is a powerful command-line application that allows simultaneous control of one or more Cyclones. Programming images can be added/removed, settings read/set, programming operations launched, and dynamic data programmed. The command-line application displays comprehensive status messages and also returns an error code indicating success or failure. The application can be launched from a script, a console, or another application. It is one of the three main components of the Cyclone Control Suite including: the Cyclone Control Console, the Cyclone Control GUI, and the Cyclone Control SDK.
Overview: Cyclone Control and Automation
PEmicro's Cyclones all include a powerful set of automated control software, the Cyclone Control Suite, which supports PC based control of the popular Cyclone LC and Cyclone FX stand-alone programmers. The suite provides comprehensive control of one or more Cyclones from the PC via the following components: the Cyclone Control GUI application, the Cyclone Control Console application, and via custom PC applications built using the Cyclone Control SDK. Ways to control the Cyclone include programming launch, recovering results, managing images resident on a Cyclone, adding unique programming data for each target, as well as recovering descriptive errors.
Cyclone Control SDK: Automated Flash Programming with C
PEmicro’s product line of Cyclone stand-alone programmers provides a fast, robust, and automated solution for production-scale programming of microprocessors. However, production facilities may desire an even higher level of automation than the single-button touch capability that is offered by the Cyclone. In this article, we discuss using the PEmicro's Cyclone Control SDK to automate programmer control, and the levels of flexibility and scalability that it offers.
Using the Cyclone Control GUI To Load Images Onto Cyclones, And More
Note: This blog post was updated in July 2019 with new information regarding Cyclone image encryption (part of the ProCryption Security feature). As part of the Cyclone Control Suite, PEmicro includes a graphical application called the Cyclone Control GUI that allows the user to add and remove images, access Cyclone settings, read Programming Image properties and statistics, and remote access a Cyclone's display. It also provides the user with tools to manage ImageKeys (for encrypted images), serial files, and optional Cyclone licenses.
Insight Into Barcode Driven Flash Programming with Cyclone FX
The Cyclone FX has the capability to automatically select and launch a programming image based upon a scanned barcode. This can generate an error if more than one image corresponds to the barcode or no images correspond to the barcode. The CYCLONE FX includes a way to quickly gain insight into the issue. A log file is created every time the barcode scanner operates and it details the scanned barcode as well as the analysis process used to select the appropriate programming image.
Expert's Corner: Cyclone Automated Control Package
NOTE: For CYCLONE and CYCLONE FX programmers, the Cyclone Automated Control Package has been replaced by the Cyclone Control Suite. The Classic Cyclone Automated Control Package will remain available but not updated. PEmicro’s product line of Cyclone stand-alone programmers provides a fast, robust, and automated solution for production-scale programming of microprocessors. However, production facilities may desire an even higher level of automation than the single-button touch capability that is offered by the Cyclone. PEmicro offers several means of automating control, including a command-line executable, UDP/Serial communications, or the .DLL included in PEmicro's new Cyclone Automated Control Software Package. In this article, we discuss automated control using the automated control package and the unprecedented level of power and flexibility that it offers. 