Engineering Technical Laboratory Rev. 2
µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer
User s Guide
© ETL 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PREFACE 3
2. CHECKLIST AND REQUIREMENTS 3
3. INSTALLATION AND USE 4
3.1 PROGRAMMER CHECK AND CONNECTION TO PC 5
3.2 PROGRAMMER FIRMWARE UPDATE 5
4. INTERFACE TYPES 6
4.1 IN-CIRCUIT PROGRAMMING 5
5. WORKING WITH TARGET MCU 7
5.1 In-Circuit EEPROM reading example 7
5.2 In-Circuit EEPROM programming example 7
5.3 Mileage Correction example 8
6. FILE OPERATIONS 12
6.1 LOAD FILE INTO BUFFER 12
6.2 SAVE FILE FROM BUFFER 12
7. ERRORS AND TROUBLESHOOTING 13
8. WARRANTY STATEMENT 15
9. APPENDIX 16
In-Circuit wiring diagram for uPD780973 MCU 16
In-Circuit wiring diagram for uPD78(F)0948/49 MCU 17
In-Circuit wiring diagram for uPD780828A MCU 18
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 2
1. PREFACE
This manual will guide you through the installation and operation of the uPD78 Dashboard
Programmer, referenced hereafter as the uPD78-Programmer.
The uPD78-Programmer has been designed for Reading, Programming of EEPROM
contents of the next NEC Microcontroller Unit (MCU):
uPD780973
uPD780949
uPD78F0949
uPD78F0828A M1
Note: Devices that not mentioned above in list can t be guaranteed of correct
reading, programming by uPD78-Programmer.
2. CHECKLIST AND REQUIREMENTS
The following describes what items are supplied with the uPD78-Programmer:
uPD78-Programmer  supplied
Cable -A DB9  straight-thru cable - supplied
uPD78-Programmer PC software on CD-ROM  Optional Extra
The PC system requirements :
Desktop PC and a free Serial Communication Port (COM1...8)
Memory - Minimum 32 Mbytes
Display - Color SVGA display recommended
Power supply 12 Volt/500 mA linear power supply source
OS -MS-Windows (Win98, Win2000/XP)
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 3
3. INSTALLATION AND USE
The uPD78-Programmer includes two LED s and mode jumper (Figure 1).
Color LED s indicates programmer state and external power supply voltage (Table 1, 2).
GREEN uPD78-Programmer is ready.
GREEN Flashing uPD78-Programmer is busy.
DARK Voltage applied to uPD78-Programmer lower than 6 Volt.
Table 1. LED D2 color meaning
GREEN All signals on In-Circuit Programmer connector are active.
DARK Signals on In-Circuit Programmer connector are deactivated (in three state).
Table 2. LED D3 color meaning
Jumper-1 (JP1) is intended for uPD78-Programmer mode selection (see Table 3).
JP1 Shorted Normal operation. NEC device EEPROM Reading/Programming.
JP1 Opened Service mode. uPD78-Programmer firmware update.
Table 3. uPD78-Programmer operation modes
Firmware In-Circuit
Programmer
Update
Programming
Operation mode
Jumper JP1
Connector
LED (D2)
In-Circuit
Bus activity
LED (D3)
External
Power Supply
Connector (9-12V)
Figure 1. The uPD78-Programmer board layout
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 4
nector
PC Serial Port
Con
3.1 PROGRAMMER CHECK AND CONNECTION TO PC
Connect the power supply source to uPD78-Programmer (an external 12 V DC power
supply source is required).
Attach a COM port cable to the 9-pin connector on the programmer and to a COM port
on the PC.
Insert jumper JP1 (see Figure 1).
Turn On power supply source and make sure that LED D1 appear green.
Start uPD78-Programmer software.
After few seconds you should see on display message:  uPD780973 Programmer Ver-
X.X detected .
In case when you should see message:  uPD78 Dashboard Programmer Ver-X.X not
found , change COM port number. To do that select  Tools menu item and than select
 Comm Port Options . Select new COM port number. After pressing  OK button the
new setting will be applied and software reattempts connection with programmer.
Now uPD78-Programmer ready to operate.
Note: Update uPD78-Programmer firmware if required (see Section 3.2).
3.2 PROGRAMMER FIRMWARE UPDATE
This section describes how to update firmware (ATMEGA 16) of uPD78-Programmer.
Remove JP1 (see Figure 1).
Turn On power supply; make sure that LED D1 appears green.
Start uPD78-Programmer software.
Compare firmware version  uPD78 Dashboard Programmer Ver-X.X detected and
version specified in  Help>About menu item.
If versions not coincide, follow next steps to update firmware.
Select menu item  Tools>Firmware Update .
After message box  Firmware Update appeared, press  OK button.
After firmware update completed, turn off power supply, close uPD78-Programmer
software.
Insert JP1.
Turn On power supply. Make sure that LED1 appear green.
Start uPD78-Programmer software on PC. New firmware version  uPD78 Dashboard
Programmer Ver-X.X detected will appear.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 5
4. INTERFACE TYPES
This section describes In-Circuit Programming (ICP) interface, of uPD78-Programmer.
4.1 IN-CIRCUIT PROGRAMMING
In-Circuit programming interface is basic for uPD78-Programmer. With this interface uPD78-
Programmer automatically detects target MCU bus speed. Ceramic resonator connected to NEC
MCU must be in range from 4 MHz to 8.372 MHz. Signals required for communication with target
MCU described in Table 3.
PIN number Programmer Signal Description
1 Communication Pin1
2 Communication Pin2
3 Communication Pin3
4 Communication Pin4
5 Communication Pin5
6 Communication Pin6
7 Communication Pin7
8 Communication Pin8
9 IC Pin(Factory test mode)
10 Reset Pin
11 Communication Pin9
12 Communication Pin10
13 Built-in power supply +5V (Vcc).
14 Signal Ground (Vdd)
Table 3. Pin functions of uPD78-Programmer ICP connector
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 6
5. WORKING WITH TARGET MCU
This section contains overall information about NEC78 MCUs supported by uPD78-
Programmer. When uPD78-Programmer successfully installed (see Section 3) target devices can
be read, program and verify.
5.1 In-Circuit EEPROM reading example
Connect required pins to board with target MCU (see Appendix).
Apply power to uPD78-Programmer. LED D2 became to green light (see Table 1).
Select corresponding device in uPD78-Programmer software ( Device button).
Select  Read Sequence panel in uPD78-Programmer software.
Press  EEPROM button.
Press  Start button.
LED D3 on uPD78-Programmer became to green light. That means that +5 voltage
regulator switched on and VCC applied to target MCU.
Now uPD78-Programmer automatically detects MCU bus speed.
When LED D2 on uPD78-Programmer became permanent green, reading completed.
Target MCU powered off.
After read sequence successfully completed it is necessarily to save memory dump to
file (see Section 6.2).
If some errors appeared during reading process refer to Section 7.
5.2 In-Circuit EEPROM programming example
Connect required pins to board with target MCU (see Appendix).
Apply power to uPD78-Programmer. LED D2 became to green light (see Table 1).
Select corresponding device in uPD78-Programmer software ( Device Button).
Load EEPROM data from file (see Section 6.1) or enter data to Hex Editor.
Select  Program Sequence panel in uPD78-Programmer software.
Press  EEPROM button.
Press  Start button.
LED D3 on uPD78-Programmer became to green light. That means that +5 voltage
regulator switched on and VCC applied to target MCU.
Now uPD78-Programmer automatically detects MCU bus speed.
When LED D2 on uPD78-Programmer became permanent green, programming
completed. Target MCU powered off.
If some errors appeared during programming process refer to Section 7.
Note: Strongly recommended before EEPROM programming, for a first time,
read EEPROM contents and save it to file.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 7
5.3 Mileage Correction example
This section describes step by step operation with Honda Civic instrument cluster. All steps
must be done in order described below.
Connect uPD78-Programmer board to PC using DB9 cable.
Power-up the uPD78-Programmer. LED D2 (see Figure1) will light green.
Note: Jumper JP1 must be inserted see Table 3, uPD78-Programmer operation
modes.
Start uPD78 Programmer software on PC. Next screen will appear:
Screenshot 1. uPD78 Programmer software after startup
Note: If message "uPD78 Dashboard Programmer not detected" appeared refer
to Section 3.1 for troubleshooting. If after changing the Communication port
number message "Programmer not detected" appeared restart the PC and try
again the procedure described in Section 3.1.
Select Vehicle type from list. To do this press "Vehicle" button (see Screenshot 1).
If required vehicle selected, press "OK" button.
Screenshot 2. Vehicle type selection
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 8
 After "Honda" selected the Graphic Information for connecting uPD78-Programmer to
dashboard is available. To see this information press "View Info" Button.
Screenshot 3. Find graphical wiring information.
Screenshot 4. Graphical wiring information
Solder pins from uPD78-Programmer to Honda dashboard.
Note: The safe way to connect uPD78-Programmer to dashboard is to use
ribbon cable with 14 pin connector. After soldering completed connect it to
programmer. If wires directly connected to uPD78-Programmer, disconnect
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 9
programmer from PC and external power supply during soldering. Also ESD
safe soldering iron must be used to avoid damaging of uPD78-Programmer and
dashboard.
When wiring finished uPD78-Programmer ready to read estimate actual mileage. Press
"Read" button (see Screenshot 5).
Screenshot 5. Start Actual mileage read
Estimate actual mileage appeared in edit box located left from "Read" button (see
Screenshot 6).
Note: If during reading some errors like: "No Echo From Device" or "Pin Tester
Errors" appeared, refer for section 7-Errors and troubleshooting.
Screenshot 6. Actual mileage reading
Note: During reading uPD78-Programmer made a Backup copy of all EEPROM
contents. The Backup copy located in "Dumps Temporary Directory".
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 10
 Note: If after mileage reading message "Mileage Calculation Error: Wrong
EEPROM data" appeared, don't start mileage correction procedure. Possible
calculation algorithm not corresponds with algorithm used in instrument cluster.
Mileage correction procedure similar to mileage read except for new estimate mileage
must be entered before operation (see Screenshot 7)
After new mileage entered press "Correction" button.
Screenshot 7. Mileage correction
Note: During mileage correction uPD78-Programmer made a Backup copy of
all EEPROM contents. The Backup copy located in "Dumps Temporary
Directory".
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 11
6. FILE OPERATIONS
This section describes basic rules working with files. Memory dump from Hex Editor (Buffer)
can be load/save from/to hard disk. Also short descriptions such as project name, MCU type and
memory cell assignment can be done for future fast remind. uPD78-Programmer accepts tree types
of file formats:
BIN (Binary format)
Motorola S-Record (4 byte address)
Motorola S-Record (6 byte address)
EEF (Extended ETL Format)
6.1 LOAD FILE INTO BUFFER
Select  File>Open menu item.
Press  Browse button.
In File Open Dialog window, select file witch need to be open.
Press  Open button.
Than opposite  Auto Format Detected: text, select correct file format. Note that software
try automatically detects file format, but unknown records in file will fail this detection.
 Load Entire file check box must be checked if automatically loading procedures
required.
Than press  OK button.
Sometimes load data from file to specific buffer allocations required. For Example if required
load buffer from $F900 address from binary file beginning from $0000 address follow next steps:
Select  File>Open menu item.
Press  Browse button.
In File Open Dialog window, select file which need to be open.
Press  Open button.
Than, opposite  Auto Format Detected: select Binary format.
Uncheck  Load Entire File check box.
In field  Offset Value to Place Data to Buffer: enter 0xF900.
Than press  OK button.
Now data placed to Hex Editor Buffer from the beginning of 0x0400 address.
If more complicated operations with files required, for example load Hex Editor Buffer from
many files  Lowest Address From File To Load ,  Highest Address From File To Load and
 Clear Buffer Before Loading File options are available.
6.2 SAVE FILE FROM BUFFER
Select  File>Save menu item.
Press  Browse button.
Select directory in which file will be saved.
Type file name, for example  test1
Press  Save button.
Than select format in which file will be saved*.
Press  OK button.
Note: Use EEF Format for future  Load File Into Buffer automatically
processing. Also, only in EEF Format Project Description, Device Name and
Memory Cells attributes can be saved.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 12
7. ERRORS AND TROUBLESHOOTING
This section describes most recently encountered problems, errors and fixing solutions.
Problem: LED D1 (see Figure 1) Dark.
Causes: This problem can accrue when external power supply connected to uPD78-
Programmer is damaged or connected in wrong polarity.
Solutions: Check voltage on uPD78-Programmer power clamps. It must be 9-12 V.
Error Message: uPD780973 Programmer not found.
Causes: This message can appear when uPD78-Programmer software couldn t
establish connection with uPD78-Programmer board.
Solutions: Check connection of COM port cable from PC to uPD78-Programmer
board. Apply power from external power supply to uPD78-Programmer. In
menu item  Tools>Comm Port Options select correct COM port number.
Error Message: Communication Error.
Causes: This message can appear when Communication between uPD78-
Programmer and PC is broken.
Solutions: Check COM port cable connection to board and PC. If message not
disappear restart the computer.
Error Message: IC Pin must be in 'high' state (line 9).
Causes: This message can appear when MCU IC pin connected to ground through
external components.
Solutions: Cut any component from IC pin.
Error Message: Reset Pin must be in 'high' state (line 10).
Causes: This message can appear when MCU Reset pin connected to ground through
external components.
Solutions: Cut any component and traces from Reset pin.
Error Message: External Reset Occurred. Disconnect Reset pin (line 10) from external
circuit.
Causes: This message can appear when in time on reading/programming reset pulse
appeared on MCU Reset pin from external circuit.
Solutions: Cut any component and traces from Reset pin.
Error Message: Parallel Communication Lines (1-8) Setup Error.
Causes: This message can appear when communication lines 1-8 (see Table 3) pin
connected to ground or Vcc through external components.
Solutions: Cut any component from pins.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 13
 Error Message: Pin Tester Errors.
Causes: This message can appear when NEC MCU pin(s) connected to ground or
Vcc through external components.
Solutions: Cut any component from pin. To find out what pin must to be disconnected
refer to Table 3 and Appendix.
Error Message: Echo Error.
Causes: This message can appear when programmer communication line 11
connected to ground or Vcc through external components. Or ceramic
resonator on NEC MCU has frequency instability.
Solutions: Cut any component from pin. To find out what pin must to be disconnected
refer to Table 3 and Appendix. Or replace ceramic resonator connected to
NEC MCU.
Error Message: No Echo From Device.
Causes: This message can appear when programmer lines connected in wrong way
with NEC MCU or wrong device selected in PC software.
Solutions: Check lines connected to MCU and device selected in Device dialog on PC.
Try to reconnect by pressing "Start" Button
Error Message: Target Device Speed too low.
Causes: This message can appear when ceramic resonator frequency connected to
NEC MCU is too low.
Solutions: Replace ceramic resonator with frequency from 4-8 MHz.
Error Message: Readout time-out Error.
Causes: This message can appear when NEC MCU do not respond long time.
Solutions: Check lines connected to MCU and try to reconnect by pressing "Start"
Button
Error Message: Transmitter time-out Error.
Causes: This message can appear when NEC MCU do not respond long time.
Solutions: Check lines connected to MCU and try to reconnect by pressing "Start"
Button
Error Message: Programming time-out Error.
Causes: This message can appear when NEC MCU do not respond long time.
Solutions: Check lines connected to MCU and try to reconnect by pressing "Start"
Button
Error Message: Programming Error.
Causes: This message can appear when programming of EEPROM completed with
errors.
Solutions: Try to repeat programming sequence. If error still exists replace ceramic
resonator to 8MHz frequency.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 14
 Error Message: External Power Supply Error, Current Protection.
Causes: This message can appear when current consumption from built-in power
supply grater than 250 mA.
Solutions: Check target MCU power pins on short circuit.
Error Message: WRONG SUBROUTINE CALL
WRONG DEVICE TYPE
Causes: These messages can appear when fatal problems with UPD78-Programmer
hardware/firmware accrued.
Solutions: Contact ETL technical support.
Note: uPD78-Programmer has Log Window which can be stored to file. To
perform this operation right clicks on Log Window. Than click on  Save to
uPD78prog.log file menu item. Now this file can be found in the same
directory as UPD78-Programmer software. Log File can be send by E-mail to
[e-mail] for non described problem solution.
8. WARRANTY STATEMENT
ETL warrants that Product delivered shall conform to applicable. Report any defects for a 45
days period, from the applicable data on invoice.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 15
9. APPENDIX
80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65
P87/S13 1 64 COM0
P86/S14 2 63 VLCD
P85/S15 3 62 SMVSS
P84/S16 4 61 SMVDD
P83/S17 5 60 SM11/P20
P82/S18 6 59 SM12/P21
TPO/P81/S19 7 58 SM13/P22
IC (VPP) 8 57 SM14/P23
9
X1 9 56 SM21/P24
X2 10 55 SM22/P25
VSS 11 54 SM23/P26
14
µ PD780973GF(A), 78F0974GF
VDD 12 53 SM24/P27
13
RESET 13 52 SM31/P30
80-pin plastic QFP
10
P07 14 51 SM32/P31
P06 15 50 SM33/P32
P05 16 49 SM34/P33
P04 17 48 SM41/P34
P03 18 47 SM42/P35
INTP2/P02 19 46 SM43/P36
INTP1/P01 20 45 SM44/P37
INTP0/P00 21 44 SMVDD
AVREF 22 43 SMVSS
P14/ANI4 23 42 SGO/SGOF/P61
P13/ANI3 24 41 SGOA/PCL/P60
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Figure 2. In-Circuit wiring diagram for uPD780973 MCU
Note: In RED color denoted lines from UPD78-Programmer that must be
connected to target MCU.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 16
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
S12/P90
S11/P91
S10/P92
S9/P93
S8/P94
S7/P95
S6/P96
S5/P97
S4
S3
S2
S1
S0
COM3
COM2
COM1
V
SS
V
DD
AV
SS
SI/P52
SO/P51
TxD/P54
RxD/P53
TI00/P40
TI01/P41
TI02/P42
SCK/P50
ANI2/P12
ANI1/P11
ANI0/P10
TIO2/P43
TIO3/P44
11
12
10099 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81
CTxD 1 80 P70/S31
P00/INTP0 2 79 P71/S30
P01/INTP1 3 78 P72/S29
P02/INTP2 4 77 P73/S28
P03/INTP3/T2PO 5 76 P74/S27
P04/INTP4/TI01 6 75 P75/S26
P05/TI00/TO0 7 74 P76/S25
P06/TI50/TO50 8 73 P77/S24
P07/TI51/TO51 9 72 P120/S23
µPD780948GF(A)
P20/SI0 10 71 P121/S22
µPD780949GF(A)
P21/SO0 11 70 P122/S21
µPD78F0948GF
P22/SCK0 12 69 P123/S20
µPD78F0949GF
P23/SI1/SO1 13 68 P124/S19
P24/SCK1 14 67 P125/S18
P25/RxD 15 P126/S17
66
P26/TxD 16 65 P127/S16
11
RESET 17 100-pin plastic QFP P130/S15
64
10
X1 18 63 P131/S14
X2 19 62 P132/S13
VPP(/IC) 20 61 P133/S12
9
CL1/CCLK 21 60 P134/S11
CL2 22 59 P135/S10
VSS2 23 58 P136/S9
14
VDD2 24 57 P137/S8
13
AVDD 25 56 P140/S7
P10/ANI0 26 55 P141/S6
P11/ANI1 27 54 P142/S5
P12/ANI2 28 53 P143/S4
P13/ANI3 29 52 P144/S3
P14/ANI4 30 51 P145/S2
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Figure 3. In-Circuit wiring diagram for uPD78(F)0948/49 MCU
Note: In RED color denoted lines from UPD78-Programmer that must be
connected to target MCU.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 17
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
CRxD
P64/RD
P65/WR
P67/ASTB
P40/AD0
P41/AD1
P42/AD2
P43/AD3
P44/AD4
P45/AD5
P46/AD6
P47/AD7
P50/A8/S39
P51/A9/S38
P52/A10/S37
P53/A11/S36
P54/A12/S35
P55/A13/S34
P56/A14/S33
P57/A15/S32
V
SS
1
AV
SS
V
DD
1
VLC0
VLC1
VLC2
COM0
COM1
COM2
COM3
P147/S0
P146/S1
P30/TI20
P31/TI21
P32/TI22
P15/ANI5
P16/ANI6
P17/ANI7
P33/PCL/SGOA
P34/SGO/SGOF
80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61
60 SMVSS
/P80 1
S15
MVDD
59 S
S16/P97 2
SM11/P20
3 58
S17/P96
57 SM12/P21
S18/SI31/P95 4
56 SM13/P22
5
S19/SO31/SIO31/P94
5 SM14/P23
5
S20/SCK31/P93 6
PD780824AGC(A) 54 SM21/P24
7
S21/TPO/P92
PD78F0826AGC(A)
53 SM22/P25
8
S22/TIO51/P91
PD780828AGC(A)
52 SM23/P26
S23/TI22/P90 9
PD78F0828AGC(A)
SM24/P27
10 51
S24/SI30/P37
11
50 SM31/P50
36 11
S25/SO30/P
80-pin plastic QFP
1
49 SM32/P5
S26/SCK30/P35 12
SM33/P52
48
S27/TIO50/P34 13
47 SM34/P53
IC/Vpp 14
9
46 SM41/P54
X1 15
45 SM42/P55
16
X2
SM43/P56
17 44
VSS0
14
43 SM44/P57
VDD0 18
13
SMVDD
9 42
CTXD 1
41
SMVSS
CRXD 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Figure 4. In-Circuit wiring diagram for uPD78(F)0828A MCU
Note: In RED color denoted lines from UPD78-Programmer that must be
connected to target MCU.
©ETL 2004 µPD78 series Dashboard Programmer User s Guide 18
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
S7
/S4
COM3
COM2
COM1
COM0
VLCD
P81/S14
P82/S13
P83/S12
P84/S11
P85/S10
P86/S9
P87/S8
P40/
P41/S6
P42/S5
P43
P44/S3
P46/S1
P47/S0
8
P45/S2
01
V
SS
1
V
DD
1
AVss
0/P64
L/P61
RESET
TI21/P65
TI2
ANI3/P13
DD
/AV
REF
ANI0/P10
ANI1/P11
ANI2/P12
ANI4/P14
TxD0/P63
RxD0/P62
CCLK/P03
INTP0/P00
INTP1/P
INTP2/P02
AV
SGOA/PC
0
SGO/SGOF/P60
1
12