Hands-On Embedded Programming with C++17

Programming MCUs

After we have compiled our code for the target MCU, the binary image needs to be written to a controller memory prior to execution and debugging. In this section we will look at the varied ways in which this can be accomplished. These days only factory-side programming is done with test sockets, or better yet at the wafer level before a known good die is bonded to a leadframe and encapsulated. Surface-mount parts already rule out easy removal of an MCU for (repeated) programming.

A number of (frequently vendor-specific) options for in-circuit programming exist, distinguished by the peripherals they use and the memories they affect.

So a pristine MCU often needs to be programmed using an external programming adapter. These ...