Method of performing programming and diagnostic functions for a microcontroller

A method of programming and testing a microcontroller, the microcontroller being provided on a circuit board and having a plurality of pins, the method comprising:

• providing a connector on said circuit board, said connector having a plurality of ports;
• providing programming data to a first one or more of said ports, said programming data being used for programming said microcontroller, each of said first one or more of said ports being in electronic communication with a respective one of a first one or more of said pins such that said programming data is provided to said microcontroller;
• and
• causing said microcontroller to provide selected diagnostic data on a second one or more of said pins, each of said second one or more of said pins being in electronic communication with a respective one of a second one or more of said ports;
• and
• receiving said selected diagnostic data from said second one or more of said ports and converting at least a portion of the received selected diagnostic data into one or more analog signals.