FT2232SPI Programmer

Recent versions of flashrom support the -p ft2232spi option which allows you to use a FTDI FT2232H/FT4232H based device as external SPI programmer.

This is made possible by using libftdi. flashrom autodetects the presence of libftdi headers and enables FT2232H/FT4232H support if they are available.

DLP Design DLP-USB1232H

The DLP Design DLP-USB1232H (datasheet) can be used with flashrom for programming SPI chips.

Where to buy: Digikey, Mouser, Saelig

Setup

DLP-USB1232H based SPI programmer schematics

In order to use the DLP-USB1232H device as SPI programmer you have to setup a small circuit (e.g. on a breadboard). See the schematics for details (you can also download the schematics as PDF for easier printing).

• You must connect pins 8 and 9, which configures the device to be powered by USB. Without this connection it will not be powered, and thus not be detected by your OS (e.g. it will not appear in the lsusb output).
• You need a 3.3V voltage regulator and two capacitors (e.g. 100nF and 10uF, but slightly different values should also work) to convert the 5V from USB to 3.3V, so you can power the 3.3V SPI BIOS chip.
  • TODO: Details
• Connect the following pins from the DLP-USB1232H to the SPI BIOS chip:
  • 18 (SK) to SCLK
  • 16 (DO) to SI
  • 2 (DI) to SO
  • 5 (CS) to CS#
  • The WP# and HOLD# pins should be tied to VCC.
  • All GND pins should be connected together (pins 1 and 10 on the DLP-USB1232H, pin 8 on the SPI chip, pin 1 on the voltage regulator)

You have to invoke flashrom with the following parameters:

$ flashrom -p ft2232spi:ft2232_type=2232:port=A

Photos

• File:Dlp usb1232h top.jpg
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FTDI FT2232H Mini-Module

The FTDI FT2232H Mini-Module Evaluation Kit (datasheet) can be used with flashrom for programming SPI chips.

Where to buy: FTDI

FTDI FT4232H Mini-Module

The FTDI FT4232H Mini-Module Evaluation Kit (datasheet) can be used with flashrom for programming SPI chips.

Where to buy: FTDI