Apparatus and associated methods relate to an unpowered data-transfer device having a processor, non-volatile memory, and two connection ports, from which operating current for the unpowered data-transfer device is drawn when connected to a powered system via one of the connection ports. In various embodiments, the apparatus may transfer program data or configuration data from a host processor system to one of a plurality of target data-transferable systems. Some embodiments may transfer stored data from one or more target data-transferable systems to a host processor system. Some exemplary unpowered data-transfer devices may include a power arbiter coupled to both a host port and a target port, the power arbiter determining from which port operating current may be drawn. In various embodiments, an unpowered data-transfer device may facilitate firmware upgrades or system settings changes to autonomous programmable systems by touching target port contacts to a port on a data-transferable system.
