Multi-Protocol Programmer

⚠️ IMPORTANT WARNING

Users must load specific firmware according to their needs.

This programmer requires you to load the corresponding firmware for the protocol you want to use:

• AVR Firmware for ATmega/ATtiny devices
• CMSIS-DAP Firmware for ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers
• CPLD Firmware for Intel/Altera MAX II devices

Without the appropriate firmware, the device will not work correctly.

Overview

The Multi-Protocol Programmer is a versatile USB device based on the CH552 microcontroller that supports multiple programming and debugging protocols. Compatible with AVR, ARM Cortex-M, and Intel/Altera MAX II CPLD devices.

Key Features

• 🔌 USB Full-Speed Interface (CDC/HID depending on firmware)
• ⚡ Voltage selector: 3.3V / 5V with switch
• 🔄 Interchangeable firmware for different protocols
• 🛠️ Compatible with industry-standard tools

Resources and Documentation

Resource	Description	Link
📚 Complete Documentation	Detailed programmer guide	View Documentation
🚀 Getting Started	Initial setup tutorial	Start Here
📋 Schematic	Electronic circuit design	View Schematic
🔧 PCB Design	Board design files	View Design
💻 Firmware	Source code and binaries	View Code
🧪 Development SDK	CH55x development tools	View SDK
📦 Main Repository	Complete source code	GitHub

Technical Specifications

Base Hardware

• Microcontroller: CH552G / CH552E / CH552P
• USB Interface: Full-Speed (12 Mbps)
• Power Supply: USB Bus (5V) with internal regulator
• Output Voltage: Selectable 3.3V / 5V via switch
• Connectors: Standard pin headers for programming connections

Supported Protocols

• 🔌 AVR: USBasp, Serial UPDI
• 🛡️ ARM: SWD (CMSIS-DAP)
• ⚙️ CPLD: JTAG (USB-Blaster compatible)

Available Firmware Profiles

📋 Firmware Selection

Each firmware is optimized for a specific type of device. You must load the correct firmware before using the programmer.

1. 🔧 AVR Programmer Firmware

For AVR microcontrollers (ATmega, ATtiny, etc.)

Features:

• Protocols: USBasp
• Target devices: Complete Microchip AVR family
• USB Interface: HID (USBasp) / CDC (Serial UPDI)
• Voltage: Selectable 3.3V or 5V

Compatible tools:

• ✅ avrdude
• ✅ Arduino IDE

Compilation:

# Compile with SDCC 
make all

# Or flash precompiled binary
python3 ./tools/chprog.py build/main.bin 

Example of flashing precompiled binary:

Python3 is native in most Linux distributions, but you can install it on Windows or macOS with limited support.

make flash 
Compilando main.c ...
Compilando src/delay.c ...
Compilando src/isp.c ...
Compilando src/tpi.c ...
Compilando src/updi.c ...
Compilando src/usb_asp.c ...
Compilando src/usb_cdc.c ...
Compilando src/usb_descr.c ...
Compilando src/usb_handler.c ...
Enlazando IHX...
Generando BIN...
------------------
FLASH: 5341 bytes
IRAM:  36 bytes
XRAM:  480 bytes
------------------
Eliminando temporales...
Flasheando a CH55x...
Connecting to device ...
FOUND: CH552 with bootloader v2.5.0.
Erasing chip ...
Flashing build/main.bin to CH552 ...
SUCCESS: 5341 bytes written.
Verifying ...
SUCCESS: 5341 bytes verified.
DONE.

💡 Technical Note

USBasp mode enumerates as HID device, while Serial UPDI uses virtual CDC port.

---

2. 🛡️ ARM Debugger Firmware (CMSIS-DAP)

For ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers

Features:

• Protocols: SWD and JTAG (CMSIS-DAP standard)
• Target devices: STM32, PY32, RP2040, etc.
• USB Interface: HID + optional CDC

Compatible tools:

• ✅ OpenOCD
• ✅ PyOCD
• ✅ Visual Studio Code (PlatformIO Extension)
• ✅ Visual Studio Code (Raspberry Pi Pico Extension)

Drivers:

• Linux/macOS: Native support (no additional drivers)
• Windows: Automatic drivers via WinUSB

⚠️ Compatibility

Some IDEs may require specific configuration to recognize the device as CMSIS-DAP.

---

3. ⚙️ CPLD Programmer Firmware

For Intel/Altera MAX II devices

Features:

• Target devices: EPM240, etc.
• Protocol: JTAG via USB-Blaster emulation
• Compatibility: Intel Quartus Prime (lite version)
• Speed: USB-Blaster specification compliant

Configuration options:

• Safe mode (default): VID:0x16C0 PID:0x05DC
• Compatibility mode: VID:0x09FB PID:0x6001

🚨 Compatibility Mode

Compatibility mode uses Intel VID/PID. Use only for personal development and comply with corresponding licenses.

Installation and Setup

System Requirements

Required software:

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install build-essential sdcc python3 python3-pip git

# Install Python dependencies
pip3 install pyusb

# Verify installation
sdcc --version
python3 --version

For Windows:

• SDCC Compiler
• Python 3.8+
• Git for Windows

CH55x Docker SDK

• CH55x Docker SDK
• Documentation

Firmware Flashing Process

1. Enter Bootloader Mode

📝 Step-by-step procedure:

1. Disconnect the programmer from USB completely
2. Hold down the BOOT button on the board
3. Connect the USB cable while keeping BOOT pressed
4. Release the button - device enters bootloader mode
5. The LED should change state indicating bootloader mode

2. Flash the Firmware

# Method 1: Using chprog.py (Recommended)
python3 ./tools/chprog.py build/main.bin 

# Method 2: Using WCHISPTool (Windows)
# Open WCHISPTool and select the .bin file

3. Verify Installation

# Verify device is recognized
lsusb | grep -i "ch55"

# For Windows, check in Device Manager

Permission Setup (Linux)

# Create udev rules for unprivileged access
echo 'SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="4348", ATTR{idProduct}=="55e0", MODE="666"' | sudo tee /etc/udev/rules.d/99-ch55x.rules

# Reload rules
sudo udevadm control --reload
sudo udevadm trigger

# Add user to dialout group (for serial ports)
sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER

Firmware Compatibility Table

Firmware	Protocols	Target Devices	USB Mode	Main Tools
AVR	USBasp	ATmega, ATtiny, AVR-DA/DB	CDC/HID	avrdude, PlatformIO
CMSIS-DAP	SWD	STM32, RP2040, PY32	HID+CDC	OpenOCD, PyOCD
CPLD	JTAG (USB-Blaster)	EPM240, EPM570, MAX II	HID	Quartus Prime

Common Troubleshooting

❌ Device not recognized

Possible causes and solutions:

1. Wrong firmware loaded

   • Verify firmware corresponds to intended use
   • Re-flash the correct firmware

2. Driver issues (Windows)

   # Install Zadig for libusb drivers
   # Select device and install WinUSB driver

3. Insufficient permissions (Linux)

   # Check udev rules
   sudo udevadm test /sys/bus/usb/devices/[device_path]

❌ Programming error

1. Verify cable connections
2. Check target voltage (3.3V vs 5V)
3. Verify target device is powered
4. Check protocol compatibility

❌ Slow programming speed

1. Reduce JTAG/SWD frequency
2. Verify connection quality
3. Use shorter cables

Licenses and Attributions

This project is distributed under multiple licenses depending on the component:

• Hardware: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
• Base firmware: MIT License
• Derived components: Specific licenses from each base project

📄 Important

Consult the LICENSE file in each firmware directory for specific licensing details.