Chip programmers known as device programmers or IC programmers are items of electronic equipment that arrange written software to configure programmable devices. They support a broad range of chip sets such as EPROMs, EEPROMs and flash, ROMs, GALs and microcontrollers. In the case of EPROMs, once they have been programmed, they can be erased with the use of an EPROM UV eraser.
These type of programmer devices configure the device via the socket on the programming equipment or by configuring the device on a PCB (printed circuit board).
Signals are transmitted through the connection pins of the chip programmer into the target device. Some devices require data on the serial pins while others receive the data via a serial interface.
Chip programmers are connected to a computer via a USB, parallel port or Local Area Network (LAN) interface. A software program on the computer transfers data to the chip programmer selects the interface type as well as the device and then begins the process of programming.
Chip programmers eliminate the need for mechanical switches when programming. They have many electronic and industrial applications such as controlling a vehicle's engine output and fuel delivery.