Cyclone MultiChannel Overview

PEmicro’s Cyclone MultiChannel programmers are production-ready, in-circuit programming systems designed to program multiple target devices simultaneously. They combine the reliability of Cyclone stand-alone programming with a scalable multi-channel architecture that helps reduce programming time, simplify fixture integration, and improve production efficiency.

Each Cyclone MultiChannel unit includes four programming channels on the base unit, with expansion available through QuadPod Channel Expanders. Up to three QuadPods can be connected to a base unit, creating a compact 16-channel programming system.

16-Channel Cyclone MultiChannel FX

Each integrated channel in the programmer is a fully independent programming system with its own processor, memory, and interface electronics. This design maximizes performance and provides dedicated supervision of each target being programmed. All channels are integrated into a single programmer for ease of control—configure what should be programmed on each channel and launch programming. The programmer manages the channels internally, and results are available as an overall pass/fail result and as per-channel results.

Compact, Expandable, and Mountable

Cyclone MultiChannel programmers and QuadPod Channel Expanders are designed for fixture, ATE, benchtop, and production-line integration. Their compact four-channel form factors can be mounted, stacked, or DIN-railed, while the 50-pin connector and optional adapters support direct wiring into test fixtures, pogo-pin systems, debug ribbon cables, or custom interface hardware.

Four-Channel Programmer with Debug Cable Adapter

This makes the system practical for both fixture-based and flexible manufacturing setups.

Extensive Device Support

Cyclone MultiChannel programmers support thousands of devices from many manufacturers.

• The Cyclone MultiChannel LC supports ARM Cortex devices from many manufacturers. Common ARM device families include NXP MCX, Kinetis, LPC, and i.MX devices, as well as STMicroelectronics STM32 devices.
• The Cyclone MultiChannel FX supports the same ARM Cortex device families as the LC model and adds support for additional architectures and device families, including NXP MPC55xx–57xx, S08, S12Z, HC(S)12(X), DSC, S32 Power, and ColdFire V1/V1+ devices. It also supports Infineon TriCore TC1xx/TC2xx/TC3xx devices and STMicroelectronics SPC5 devices.

Device algorithms and ongoing support are included with the programmer—there are no per-device or per-algorithm licensing fees.

Automation Control

Every Cyclone MultiChannel includes the Cyclone Control Suite, a complete set of tools for automating production programming. Use the Cyclone Control GUI for interactive setup, the Cyclone Control Console for script and command-line integration, or the Cyclone Control SDK to embed Cyclone control directly in your production software. All three options support USB and Ethernet connections and provide the same core capabilities: manage programming images on the Cyclone, select active channels, assign images, launch programming, supply dynamic data, and recover overall and per-channel results. Example applications and source code are included for popular languages and toolchains, making it straightforward to integrate the programmer into fixtures, test equipment, and factory automation systems.

Programming Images

Programming images are compiled files in which the data to be programmed, programming steps, descriptive information, configuration details, and programming algorithms have been preprocessed and packaged so they are ready to program the target. They are designed to be corruption-resistant, verifiable, and secure, and they provide a stable snapshot of a production configuration.

The Cyclone MultiChannel programmer stores Stand-Alone Programming (SAP) images in non-volatile encrypted memory. Once an image is loaded onto the Cyclone, it remains available for programming until it is removed. Images can be assigned to individual channels for programming.

Many users create and version a new production image whenever the production programming setup or source binary files change. This makes it easy to return to an earlier production version or program the same image years later, even if the original binary and configuration files used to create it are no longer available.

Per-Device Custom Data

Production often requires data that is not fixed in the programming image—serial numbers, MAC addresses, lot codes, date codes, calibration values, and other board-specific information.

Cyclone MultiChannel supports overlay data provided at launch time, allowing this information to be supplied when programming starts without rebuilding the image. The same value can be applied across a group of channels, or each channel can receive unique data when every target needs its own serial number or identifier. Dynamic data is combined with the static image in the programmer before programming begins.

Galvanic Isolation

Cyclone MultiChannel programmers are designed for safe integration into production environments:

• The included power supply is double-insulated, providing an extra layer of electrical isolation between the AC mains and the programmer.
• The USB port is galvanically isolated from the host computer, helping protect the PC from ground differences and noise on the production floor.
• Ethernet data lines are transformer-isolated using standard Ethernet magnetics, providing natural isolation between the host network and the programmer.

Heterogeneous Targets (FX)

Both the Cyclone MultiChannel LC and FX can program the same image on all active channels simultaneously and can apply unique or shared per-device custom data. This suits high-volume production of identical boards.

The Cyclone MultiChannel FX can also assign a different programming image to each active channel and program them all in parallel. This is ideal for boards that contain multiple microcontrollers or flash devices of different types, where each target needs its own image and programming sequence. On FX models, different images, target power settings, debug protocols, and device types from different manufacturers can run on different channels at the same time.

ProCryption Security (FX)

Cyclone MultiChannel FX programmers include ProCryption Security as a standard feature. Users create their own ImageKeys and encrypt programming images with industry-standard RSA and AES protection. Encrypted images can only be loaded and programmed on Cyclones that have been provisioned with the matching ImageKey, which helps protect your intellectual property even when images are distributed to contract manufacturers or remote production sites. Images can also be configured with programming count limits; on a MultiChannel programmer, those limits are enforced across all channels using the image, so production quotas apply to the image as a whole.

Run Test Code in Targets (FX)

Cyclone MultiChannel FX programmers support the Run Test feature, which lets you program and execute custom test applications on the target before final programming is allowed to proceed.

User-written test code can verify that target hardware is working correctly, read barcode or operator input from the Cyclone, gather calibration or fingerprint data from the device, and pass results back into the final programmed image. If any test fails, programming stops before the production image is written. Run Test is configured as part of the programming image and runs automatically during each production cycle.

Ultra-Fast Performance (FX)

Cyclone MultiChannel FX programmers support extremely high shift rates for programming and verification, delivering ultra-fast flash programming performance on every channel. The LC model is also fast, but on production lines where every second counts, the FX delivers higher throughput that saves time on every programming cycle.

Providing Target Power (FX)

Both the LC and FX programmers work with targets that supply their own power. Each channel auto-senses the connected target’s voltage level and adjusts I/O voltage accordingly.

The Cyclone MultiChannel FX can also power targets directly, either feeding the target processor the appropriate Vcc level or providing a Vsys voltage to the input of the target’s regulator.

Ground and debug I/O wiring stay the same in all three power modes—only the power routing changes. See Channel Target-Powering Options in the user manual for connection diagrams and details.

Why you should consider buying the Cyclone MultiChannel over other options:

The Cyclone MultiChannel has two base models: the LC and the FX. They share the same physical footprint but come with different feature sets. Each is available in 4-, 8-, 12-, or 16-channel configurations. They include a standard warranty against manufacturing defects and an optional two-year advanced protection plan.

16-Channel Kit Contents

• 1 Cyclone MultiChannel unit (LC or FX)
• 3 QuadPod 4-channel Expanders
• 3 right-angle compact USB-C cables
• 1 15 V, 2.4 A regulated power supply
• 1 CAT-5e Ethernet control cable
• 1 USB-C control cable

12-Channel Kit Contents

• 1 Cyclone MultiChannel unit (LC or FX)
• 2 QuadPod 4-channel Expanders
• 2 right-angle compact USB-C cables
• 1 15 V, 2.4 A regulated power supply
• 1 CAT-5e Ethernet control cable
• 1 USB-C control cable

8-Channel Kit Contents

• 1 Cyclone MultiChannel unit (LC or FX)
• 1 QuadPod 4-channel Expander
• 1 right-angle compact USB-C cable
• 1 15 V, 2.4 A regulated power supply
• 1 CAT-5e Ethernet control cable
• 1 USB-C control cable

4-Channel Kit Contents

• 1 Cyclone MultiChannel unit (LC or FX)
• 1 15 V, 2.4 A regulated power supply
• 1 CAT-5e Ethernet control cable
• 1 USB-C control cable

Need more than 16 channels?

Each Cyclone MultiChannel programmer supports programming of up to 16 target devices simultaneously. For higher channel counts, the Cyclone Control SDK can operate multiple MultiChannel programmers in parallel.

Included Software

The Cyclone is accompanied by the following software and utilities:

• Image Creation Utility: Allows you to create stand-alone programming images via a configuration GUI (using CSAP Image Compiler)
• CSAP Image Compiler: Used by the Image Creation Utility, or directly on the command line, to create SAP Programming Images (or SAPOBJ archives) from binaries, scripts, algorithms, etc.
• Cyclone Control Suite: Suite of tools for Cyclone control and automation. Includes the Cyclone Control GUI, Cyclone Control Console (command-line), and the Cyclone Control SDK examples and libraries.
• Other Stand-Alone Programmer Utilities:
  • Serial Number Creation Utility: Create shared auto-counting serial numbers
  • Secure Boot Utility: Configure images for Secure Boot on NXP i.MX RT and LPC55xx devices
• Interactive Programming Software:Allows manually controlled programming for all supported architectures. Useful for diagnosing problems when creating a programming image.
  • PROG: In-circuit flash programming software for both internal memory and external flash devices
  • CPROG: Command-line scripted in-circuit flash programming software for both internal memory and external flash devices

Windows 10 and Windows 11 are supported; the SDK also supports Linux and macOS.

Electrical Specifications

Input voltage: DC 6 V to 20 V, center positive

Quad-Channel Connector Specifications

See connector details in the accompanying tab.

Mechanical Specifications

Dimensions (in millimeters):

Compliances and Standards

RoHS compliant, CE certified, FCC certified

The Cyclone MultiChannel Programmers (FX and LC) and the QuadPod Channel Expanders each have 50-pin connectors that carry signals for four independent programming channels. These 2.54 mm, 2×25 standard connectors can be connected using readily available ribbon cables, custom wiring, or adapters from PEmicro. PEmicro’s adapters can be mounted in a fixture or test setup, allowing easy removal of the programming units without disturbing test or fixture wiring.

50-Pin Cyclone MultiChannel / QuadPod Connector

Currently available adapters include:

50-Pin Wire-Wrap Adapter

MCP-ADPT-50-PIN-WW

10/20-Pin Mini Adapter

MCP-ADPT-1020-PIN-MINI

20-Pin Standard Adapter

MCP-ADPT-20-PIN