Hi people,

Which process do you use to industrialize an Electronic Control Unit with 8051 (or other micro) and flash for the code ?

Let's take an example using a 87c591 and a 128Kb flash...

In order to boot and allow IAP, the micro shall read a boot code which isn't included in this chip. It means it should be either in internal rom or in the flash. But how to program the internal ROM and flash for the first time if the chip is soldered ??? Next IAP would be part of the application code.
Does it mean the constructor of the board should program first the chip (flash or 8051) before soldering ?
If yes, it means that you should provide a startup code well debugged. And what happens if you have to modify this startup code or is you've erased inadvertently the startup code from the flash ? The ECU isn't for trash, isn't it ? Can a flash sector be protected against writing ?

Previously, I was used to use the C167 which has a bootstrap mode so there wasn't this problem ...

Regards
Stephane