Programming the SX without a key

Philldapill

I'm a propeller user and would like to learn about the SX a little, yet I know very little at the moment. I know there is a simple circuit you can make to program the SX with an RS232 cable - no need for a prop plug. I ordered some SX chips, but totally forgot the SX key. Can I still program it without the key?

Peter Verkaik

No, you need the key. It generates the required
programming voltage.

regards peter

Philldapill

So there isn't any special decoding or anything with the key? generating the required programming voltage is a simple and easy circuit...

Peter Verkaik

Of course there is.
regards peter

Philldapill

OK, never have seen the key until now. Yikes. Looks complicated. Thanks Peter.

Guenther Daubach

Just for programming (no debugging), you may also use the (cheaper) SX-Blitz.

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Greetings from Germany,

G

PJMonty

Phildapill,

AS Guenther mentioned, the Blitz is a cheap alternative at $29:

www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampModules/tabid/134/ProductID/368/List/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

The only issue is that it will program the chips, but you can't do hardware debugging with it. However, Guenther's SX-Sim simulator program, which comes free with the free SX-Key IDE, will let you debug the code via simulation.

This link is to the SX-Key IDE:

www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/sw/sx/Setup-SX-Key-Editor-v3.2.3lg.exe

Thanks,
PeterM