SMT uC Programming

[MoltenVoltage]

I want to be able to program SMT microcontrollers after they are mounted.

I have a 14 pin narrow clip, but if you want a really compact design, that won't work.

I could obviously put a 5 pin header on the board, but I want to avoid that because I don't want anything extra sticking up and it would really only be fore a single use therefore a waste of parts.

I am imagining 5 pads on the board and some some sort of spring loaded 5 pin probe-type device.  So you would press down the probe and connect to all 5 pads (or vias) and program the uC in circuit.

Is there anything remotely like this, or is a pin header the only answer?

Thanks!

[JKowalski]

If they are factory made boards with plated holes then sticking a header in during programming w/o solder should work fine, it usually provides great contact if the hole are the right size (four square corners digging in)... With homemade boards, perhaps you could even do the same but solder perfboard copper pads onto each header pin so it provides horizontal contact.

You could also look into those board-side connectors (the ones where the contacts are etched on the side of the board, and the header plugs into the board itself...


I know I have seen boards with uC's that have their ICSP connections as simple pads, so I think there must be something out there like what you theorized.

[G. Hoffman]

I'm quite certain that there is a better way to do this, but I've done it like this:









Gabriel

[Ice-9]

Yeah do a search for Pogo/ jtag. I don't have a link but you could use the pogo, your chip doesn't have to be jtag just wire up the pogo anyway that suits you.

many different types available


http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pogo+connector&hl=en&biw=1600&bih=1105&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=VRfeTeXZA8OBhQeG7sjSCg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CCIQ_AUoAQ

[alparent]

One thin you can do is get yourself an old motherboard with ISA expansion slots.....take an ISA slot and cut it down and make yourself a cable....then just provide a simile ISA side to whatever PCB you are making. Don't know if this is clear or make any sense. I wish I could add pictures but I'm at work right now.

This might help a bit? http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/i/isa.htm

[potul]

Something like this?



http://www.tag-connect.com/


BTW, I like the ISA idea, just leave PADs similar to the ISA ones in the PCB, and make a connector cable with an old ISA connector.

[MoltenVoltage]

I really appreciate all the responses.

I took a look at SparkFun and found a terrific tutorial on making pogo jigs:
http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/138