                 OPERATION OF THE MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY                       
                       SERIAL EVAL(SEEVAL) BOARD




Software Installation:

If you plan on only using the DOS version of the software, the 
only file you need is the "evaldos.exe" executable file.  Copy 
this file from the disk to the directory of your choice and 
type 'evaldos' at the prompt to run the program.

To install both the Windows and DOS versions of the SEEVAL 
software, you must already have Windows running.  Insert the 
disk and run the 'Setup.exe' program from File Manager.  The 
setup program will prompt you for source and destination 
directories, and load all the required files to the correct 
places.  This will automatically load both the DOS and Windows 
versions. To run the Windows version, run the executable file 
'evalwin.exe' using File Manager or clicking on the icon.

Consult the online HELP in the windows version for information 
on how to use the different functions of the board.

If you have questions about the operation of this board or are
having dificulty using one of Microchip's devices, please contact:

Bruce Negley                            Dick Fisher
Memory Applications Engineer            Memory Applications Manager
Voice: 602-786-7338                     Voice: 602-786-7291             
Fax: 602-786-7277                       Fax: 602-786-7277



1.0) POWERING THE BOARD

        The SEEVAL board requires a +9V supply to operate and 
will draw about 100mA during worst case operations.  Supplied 
with the board is a transformer that will supply the needed 
power to the board.  If you wish to make or purchase an adapter 
to use with a bench supply, make sure that the output is 9V DC 
and it will provide at least 100mA.  ALSO, MAKE SURE THAT THE 
OUTPUT JACK IS THE CORRECT POLARITY! The SEEVAL board requires 
a connector with the inside of the 'barrel' at positive and the 
outside of the 'barrel' at negative polarity.
                                                                                                   
2.0) CONNECTION TO PC

        Connection from the EVAL board to the PC is made 
through a serial port.  The cable required is a 9-pin male to 
9-pin female with the signals passed straight through.  If you 
want to purchase a suitable cable, some places refer to this 
cable as a 'monitor extension cable' as it can also be used to 
extend the cable for your video terminal.  Only pins 2,3 and 5 
are actually used by the board, but all signals can be passed 
through.

        If you choose to make your own cable, keep in mind that 
the pin-out for the male and female connectors are reversed as 
shown below.

        Male 9-pin     Female 9-pin

        1 2 3 4 5       5 4 3 2 1 
         6 7 8 9         9 8 7 6

Make sure that you tie pin 1 on the female side to pin 1 on the 
male side and so forth.

        If connection to a 25-pin connector is required, an 
adapter will be neccessary, obtainable from your local Radio 
Shack Store.  If you choose to make your own 9-pin to 25-pin 
cable, below are the required connections.

      (Computer end)        (Board end)
      Female 25-pin          Male 9-pin

           Pin 2-------------Pin 3    Note that on this cable that pins 2
           Pin 3-------------Pin 2    and 3 are interchanged from one end
           Pin 7-------------Pin 5    to the other


        After the cable is connected to the EVAL board and the 
PC, type 'evaldos.exe' at the DOS prompt, or click on 
'evalwin.exe' if you are running from Windows.  The first 
screen of both versions shows software copyright information 
and software version.  Press <Return> to continue.

        You will then be asked to choose a comm port.  Use the 
right/left arrows to make your selection and press the return 
key.  You will see a message indicating no connection if you 
chose the wrong port.  You might see this message even if the 
port is correct, so press return to retry if you know the port 
is correct.

3.0) Device Selection 
3.1) DOS Version

        After succcessful connection to the board, you will be 
asked to select a device.  Select the correct device by using 
the arrow keys and press return.  You can always come back from 
the main menu and select a different device.  

3.2) Windows version

        When running the program for the first time, a message 
will appear that indicates that no default configuration file 
was found.  Click on the 'OK' box to continue.  To connect to 
the SEEVAL board, use the 'Select' pull down menu to select a 
comm port.  You will see a message in the status box saying 
"comm check ok" if you connected ok.  You now must choose a 
device.  Again, use the 'Select' pull down menu and select the 
device.  After the device buffer has been loaded, go to the 
'Setup' pull down menu and choose 'Save defaults.'  This saves 
the current comm port and device setup configuration and will 
use them automatically the next time you run the program.

3.3) Notes on Microchip devices

        All devices are operated with Vcc set to 5V on the 
board, regardless of what Vcc range they are designed for.  
This includes the 93AAXX and 24AAXX devices that work down to 
1.8V.

        Some of Microchip's obsolete devices are not listed in 
the device selection menu.  However, these devices may be 
supported under the heading of another device.  If you are 
using one of our devices that is not listed, contact your local 
Microchip FAE or one of the factory contacts listed above.   

3.4) Notes on using devices from other manufacturers

	Efforts have been made to make the SEEVAL software as 
universal as possible.  However, some EEPROM vendors offer 
devices that operate differently than devices offered by 
Microchip and are not supported by SEEVAL. If you have 
questions about compatibility differences among vendors please 
contact your local FAE or sales representative.

4.0) Using the Buffer
        
        The buffer is the temporary storage area that is used 
to display and change the contents of the actual array inside 
the device.  When the device is read, the contents of the 
device are loaded into the buffer and displayed.  The buffer 
contents can then be changed and then written to the device.
       
4.1) DOS Version

        After executing a read or write command, the program 
will always take you back to the buffer to show you what was 
read from the device.  You can also get to the buffer by 
selecting the 'Edit Buffer' command from the main menu.

        Besides showing you what the current contents of the 
buffer are, you can also edit the buffer contents and download 
to the device using the 'Write Buffer to device' selection from 
the main menu.  To change specific bytes in the buffer, simply 
move the cursor to the appropriate byte and type the new 
contents.  For changing the entire buffer contents quickly, use 
the ALT-key combinations shown at the bottom of the editor 
screen.  In the upper left-hand corner of the screen you will 
see either Edit Mode or Program Mode.  The mode can be toggled 
by the Alt-M key.  Edit mode allows you to change the edit 
buffer without affecting the contents of the device.  Program 
mode will write the data to the device as you type.

        ALT-P will prompt for data and fill the buffer with that data
        ALT-C fills the buffer with a checkerboard pattern
        ALT-I fills the buffer with a inverse checkerboard pattern
        ALT-F toggles x8/x16 mode (3-wire devices only)
        ALT-M toggles edit/program mode

4.2) Windows version

        The array buffer is always displayed on the screen 
after a device has been displayed.  If the buffer is to large 
to show on one screen, then the vertical scroll bars on the 
right side of the buffer allow you to scroll through the 
buffer.  You can alter any part of the buffer by placing the 
cursor on the desired location and typing over the contents.  
The 'Fill' menu also allows you to change the buffer without 
changing the contents of the device itself.

5.0) Continuous Read/Write Modes

        The continuous read and write functions were developed 
as a troubleshooting tool.  By reading or writing to 1 or more 
bytes with delay times inbetween, the bit streams can be 
observed by connecting an oscilliscope to the test points and 
observing how the individual commands are executed.

6.0) Endurance Testing

        The endurance of an EEPROM device is affected by many 
factors including operating voltage, temperature.  The 
endurance function was added to allow the cycling of the entire 
array with any pattern you choose.  The verify option will read 
the array after each write and display a warning if a failure 
occurs. 
