Programmer classification:
The classification that I have used here, is based on the purpose the programmers are designed for:
- Universal Card Programmers, will program all different card types
- Other Programmers, will program 1 or more (but not all) different card types
- Copy Stations, they are not really programmers and can only be used to copy cards

One exceptional category is formed by the Phoenix and the Smartmouse interfaces. I have put them in the category of Universal Chip Programmers here. They are not really programmers, but they act as computer interfaces to your smart card. They are needed to program the eeprom on your card through the use of a loader file in the processor on the card. For that reason, every universal programmer will support a Phoenix- and/or Smartmouse compatible mode.

About programming in general:
As described in the Smart Card chapter, your card is to be regarded as a tiny computer. A computer with only 2 components:
- the processor (PIC or Atmel)
- the external memory (the eeprom)

The external memory on the card can be programmed directly if the card has direct programming lines, or by using a technique called "through pic programming". In that case, a special loader file is programmed to the processor first. Then the eeprom data is programmed into the eeprom via the loader file. Through pic programming is the more common technique. More and more software programs come equipped with their own internal loaders built into the software.

The Phoenix mode:
Through pic programming requires the use of a so called Phoenix interface to program the eeprom. On some universal programmers, the modes are not called by their compatibility mode however. The MasterCRD programmers for instance talk about "Modus 0" for the 6 MHz Smartmouse mode and "Modus 1" for the 3.58 MHz Phoenix mode.
Then there is one more thing that adds to the general confusion: The 6 MHz Smartmouse mode is also sometimes referred to as 6 MHz Phoenix mode. The reason for that is simply that the Smartmouse mode is in fact a Phoenix mode which uses inverted reset and the 6 MHz operating frequency.
The software you are using dictates what frequency you should use. But some software allows you to change the operating frequencies from 3.58 to 6 MHz and vice versa.

The processor mode:
Well, this isn't a general recognized name. It's a name that I invented myself in order to clarify some technicalities :-))
First you need to know that there are 2 processor types commonly used as smart card processors for SAT use:
- the PIC type processor (most used are the 16F84, 16F628, 16F876 of 16F877)
- the AVR type processor (most used are the 90S4323, 90S8515 of 90S8535)
The AVR type processors are also referred to as Atmel processors.

Because the PIC- and AVR type processors need to be programmed in different compatibility modes, you will find that universal programmers use names like PIC, JDM, Ludi etc. for the PIC programming mode and Atmel or AVR for the AVR programming mode.

About power supplies:
Most GW type cards require a higher Voltage and a more Amperes than their SMD type equivalents. As a general thumb of rule, you can use these minimum requirements when programming GW type cards: 13.5 Volt/500 mAmp stabilized. This means that the power supply should not drop Amperes on load. Most programming problems come from bad power supplies.

The following programmers use internal Voltage regulators, making them less sensitive:
- MasterA-I and MasterA-II use the L7805CV
- MasterCRD-I and MasterCRD-II use the 7805CT
- VP-20 and DL-20 use the L7805CV

Keep in mind that overdoing on the Voltage only contributes to higher wear because of the higher temperatures that come from using higher Voltage than required.

For those interested in the specifications of the above mentioned Voltage regulators; there is a PDF file in the download section with information on all 78xx devices.