To o l St i c k P r o g r a m m i n g A d a p t e r
2
Rev. 0.3
3. ToolStick Programming Adapter Overview
The ToolStick Programming Adapters are an ideal platform for programming Silicon Labs microcontrollers for
prototypes or for small volume production. Their low cost and ease-of-use make them easy to integrate into any
production flow.
The ToolStick programming platform consists of two components: the ToolStick Base Adapter and the
programming daughter card. The ToolStick Base Adapter provides a USB programming interface between a
Windows PC and the target microcontroller. The socket daughter card includes the socket that houses the device,
a power LED and an On/Off switch. Figure 3 shows an example daughter card.
Figure 3. Example Programming Daughter Card
Silicon Labs MCUs are available in different packages: QFN (MLP), QFP, TSSOP, and DIP. The daughter cards
use a different type of socket for each package type and each of these socket types is rated for a minimum number
of insertions. Table 1 below shows the minimum guaranteed number of insertions for each socket type:
Check the ToolStick website (www.silabs.com/toolstick) to ensure that the daughter card is the appropriate one for
the device being programmed. Inserting a device into the wrong socket could damage the device.
4. Requirements
The following are required to use the ToolStick programming platform
PC running Windows 2000 or later
Silicon Labs MCU Production Programmer
Tweezers
The Silicon Labs MCU Production Programmer is the PC application that is used to download the code to the
target device. This program is available at:
https://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/SoftwareDownloads.aspx
.
The source code for this program is available to enable development of custom programming applications.
Table 1. Minimum Guaranteed Device Insertions Per Socket Type
Package Type
Minimum Insertions
QFN—Clam-Shell
5,000
QFP—Top-loader
10,000
TSSOP—Top-loader
5,000
DIP - ZIP / ZIF
20,000
