User Manual For CYCLONE
FX
Programmers
99
11
USING A BARCODE SCANNER TO SELECT AN IMAGE & INITIATE
PROGRAMMING
11.1
Introduction
PEmicro’s CYCLONE FX programmers are capable of using a barcode scanner during stand-
alone programming. Scanned barcodes can be used to automatically select and program a
specific SAP (Stand Alone Programmer) image into a target. This means the programming image
does not need to be pre-selected before programming. Also, there is no need to hit the start
button. Simply scan the bar code and programming will be initiated.
The Cyclone FX scans the barcode and checks all resident images for a barcode match. If exactly
one match is found, the image is selected and used to program the target. If no matches are found,
or multiple matches are found, an appropriate error is reported. This reduces manual configuration
errors especially when large numbers of programming images and product types may be
programmed.
Automatic selection and launch of a specific flash programming image based on a scanned
barcode can improve the speed and accuracy of production programming, especially when there is
a varied product mix being programmed. Barcode scanning improves accuracy by making the
process of selecting a programming image fast, automatic, and less vulnerable to user error.
The barcode itself can optionally be programmed into the target device’s memory as part of this
manufacturing process. The information that the barcode makes available to the device can make
it easier to trace products, track product hardware versions, or provide a way to serialize
production. This results in a more efficient manufacturing process.
11.2
Scanning Procedure
After the CYCLONE FX is configured (see
Section 11.4 - Enabling Barcode Scanner In Cyclone
), the barcode scanner is connected to the Cyclone's host USB port. The scanner is used in
Wedge output mode, which emulates a USB keyboard. When the scanner scans a barcode, it
transmits the barcode to the Cyclone. The Cyclone then analyzes the barcode and uses it to select
a programming image.
To perform this analysis, all programming images on the Cyclone, in both internal and external
memory, are reviewed. Each image may contain a set of rules to determine whether a scanned
barcode corresponds to that particular image. This set of barcode analysis rules is referred to as
an image's “barcode test." If the barcode passes the test on one and only one of the programming
images on the Cyclone, that image is automatically selected and programming is initiated.
Otherwise, if the scanned barcode does not pass the barcode test on any image, or if it passes the
test on more than one image, an error will occur.
Barcode test rules include: barcode length, character type, specific characters, and numerical
ranges. Fixed barcodes or barcodes which are unique to an individual product can be properly
analyzed and used to select the appropriate programming image.
A logfile is generated to help the user understand how a scanned barcode auto-selects a specific
image on the Cyclone (or yields an error). See
Section 11.8 - Troubleshooting
for more
information on this logfile.
