![2716 eprom programmer 2716 eprom programmer](http://www.qrp.gr/mycomputer/COMPLETE/maneprm.png)
Let’s first have a look at the final result:
#2716 EPROM PROGRAMMER SOFTWARE#
So I was motivated to create something similar to ERMAX 100, but based on modern microcontroller platform, open source, cross platform control software and free of annoying limitations of my old device (more on that later). I have been using it extensively recently and only just discovered a few really annoying “features” of that emulator.
![2716 eprom programmer 2716 eprom programmer](http://www.transistorforum.nl/forum/images/uploaded/2021051612165860a10d3ae2f87.jpg)
Those who follow my blog know that I already have a commercial EPROM emulator (see the ERMAX100 EPROM Emulator Revival post).
![2716 eprom programmer 2716 eprom programmer](https://www.computercollection.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_5505.jpg)
Once you finish testing you can replace the emulator with EPROM chip programmed with the final version of your code. This is where the EPROM emulator comes handy, a device that can temporary “replace” your EPROM chip, it is controlled by a computer and can be reprogrammed in seconds.
#2716 EPROM PROGRAMMER CODE#
The entire process is extremely slow and has to be repeated every time you want to make even a small one bit change! And yes, there are modern EPROM alternatives based on Flash technology, that could save you the 20-30 min erase time, but the rest of the process is still the same and still annoyingly slow if you’re writing code and trying to “debug” it. That means, remove the EPROM from its host computer, subject it to 20-30min of UV light exposure, program it with EPROM programmer, re-install in host computer. Imagine you are developing software (well, firmware more likely) and you need to change the “program” in your EPROM memory. By its nature, this type of memory is “read only” and to change its content you need to erase it with UV light. So, what is the issue and why would one need an EPROM emulator. See below: Example of EPROM chip used in Commodore 64 “test” cartridge. Those EPROMS typically come as ICs in DIP28 package with a “window” in the middle used to “erase” the memory using UV light. And when I say “computers” I refer to the 80s eight bit machines (Commodore, Amiga ZX Spectrum, Tandy etc.), but also other computer like devices, controllers etc. EPROM or Erasable Programmable Read- Only Memory is a type of programmable read-only memory that is used to store program in “computers”. Well, before I explain what an EPROM Emulator is, I should first explain what an EPROM is. I recently posted an article that shows how people ended up using the emulator, check it out there: EPROM emulator NG use cases. As always, all source code and design documents are on my github page: EPROM-EMU-NG on GitHub