Overview of JTAG / boundary scan tools offered by GOEPEL Electronics

Most boundary scan testers are PC based test systems. Sometimes, however, boundary scan tools are integrated and combined with other automated test equipment (such as bed-of-nail based in-circuit testers, flying probe testers, or functional testers). In general, boundary scan software is used to generate the test pattern, to apply the test vectors to the Unit Under Test (UUT), and to analyze the response vectors from the UUT. Test vectors are delivered to the UUT with a boundary scan controller and some form of Test Access Port (TAP) interface. Boundary scan controllers are available for a wide variety of hardware platforms such as PCI, PXI, VXI, PCI Express and PXI Express as well as for USB, LAN, LXI and other bus interfaces. The TAP interface hardware is connected to the UUT's test bus connectors, providing access to the key TAP signals, TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO, and /TRST. TAP interface hardware may provide a number of TAP's for connection to multiple scan chains, as well as additional test resources such as digital and analog I/O. JTAG / boundary scan requires the UUT to be powered-up, so the tester setup also needs to include a power supply for the UUT. And finally, a test system may provide additional boundary scan I/O channels and other digital and mixed-signal I/O for the verification of UUT interfaces in order to extend the test coverage achievable with boundary scan on a particular UUT. Such I/O modules are available in a variety of form factors and feature sets.

GOEPEL offers the most comprehensive and technologically advanced JTAG / boundary scan software and hardware tools in the industry.

The quality of a JTAG/boundary scan systems is primarily defined by the performance and the architecture of its software. In 1991, GOEPEL electronic was the worldwide first vendor to introduce a specialized software technology in form of an Integrated JTAG/boundary scan Development Environment (IDE) - SYSTEM CASCON(TM) was born. The uniqueness of this JTAG/boundary scan Workbench has been maintained over the years through continuous integration of new, intelligent tools paired with innovative system extensions and improvements in the user interface.

SYSTEM CASCON is an open, graphical JTAG/boundary scan operating system and programming environment. Its architecture thoroughly implements GOEPEL Electronic's philosophy of Extended JTAG/boundary scan, eclipsing other solutions with regard to test coverage and system functionality by combining various test, programming and emulation methods with native JTAG/ boundary scan procedures.

The completely integrated architecture of SYSTEM CASCON provides the flexibility needed to adapt the software configuration to completely different target applications and environments. Software packages designed for laboratory, production, and field service are available in various performance classes (Editions) as Development Stations (DS) and Test/Execution Stations (TS/ES), and individual tools can be added or removed from software package licenses. Pure in-system programming (ISP) applications can be realized with CASCON POLARISTM Editions, while CASCON GALAXY® supports both ISP and test applications. The extensive CASCON Application Programming Interface (CAPI) enables powerful integrations. As an alternative to node-locked licenses, floating licenses provide efficiency with multi-seat and multi-tooling capabilities.

A boundary scan controller provides the hardware interface between tester and Unit Under Test (UUT). GOEPEL offers the widest product range supporting test and ISP applications throughout the UUT's product life cycle. The choice of controller hardware depends on particular application requirements. Test programs created with SYSTEM CASCON software (CASCON GALAXY®, CASCON POLARIS) are cross compatible with all GOEPEL boundary scan controllers.

With SCANFLEX®, GOEPEL has developed a hardware architecture that is unique and unmatched in modularity, flexibility, and feature set.

The SCANBOOSTER controller family offers a low price alternative for applications where the advanced features of SCANFLEX® are not required, while still offering multiple TAPs as well as 32 parallel I/O port (PIP) signals.

We also offer low-cost boundary scan solutions that bundle a CASCON GALAXY software package with SCANBOOSTER hardware. These bundles have been created for design, production and service personnel looking for a fast turnaround in terms of application development at a very low cost.

In addition, GOEPEL offers a wide variety of hardware accessories, including I/O modules (for standard interfaces, such as DIMM or PCI or PCIe, for example, as well as for custom interfaces and for fixture integration) and adapter solutions for prototyping and low-volume production test.

Contact us to specify your requirements for a JTAG tool set and we'll get back to you with a customized proposal - "no strings attached".

Questions to consider when choosing a JTAG / boundary scan system

Unit Under Test related questions:

• Do you have a CPU, CPLD, FPGA, or other complex devices and/or components in high density packages such as BGA, microBGA on your board?

• What type of non-boundary scan devices does the Unit Under Test (UUT) feature (e.g. Static Memory [SRAM], Dynamic Memory [SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, ...], NOR Flash, NAND Flash, serial EEPROM, discrete logic devices [e.g. 74LVT00] or Decoders, peripheral connectors with many digital signals, and/or DIMM sockets)?

• When/where in the UUT's product life cycle do you intend to use JTAG/boundary scan?

Software related questions:

• For what purpose do you intend to implement this JTAG / boundary scan system: Design Validation and Prototype Verification, Manufacturing Test, Repair and Troubleshooting, Field Service, or for some other purpose?

• Do you intend to develop your own JTAG/boundary scan applications, or would you outsource the test development?

• Would this station be intended for boundary scan test only or would you want to test your products and also program CPLD or Flash devices or serial EEPROMs?

• What are the primary types of JTAG / boundary scan applications you are interested in? For example: Connectivity Tests (finding manufacturing faults, such as opens, shorts, stuck-at faults), In-System Programming for CPLD / FPGA devices, In-System Programming for serial EEPROM and/or Flash devices, In-System programming of On-Chip Memory (e.g. Flash memory inside a CPU, DSP, or Micro-Controller), Utilize On-Chip Emulation for structural tests and for JTAG controlled functional tests, some other application?

• What should this software package allow me to do? For example: Develop JTAG / boundary scan applications, Generate tests automatically, Write tests manually in a scripting language, Execute test and In-System Programming routines, Generate detailed pin and net level diagnostic messages in case of detected defects, Debug JTAG / boundary scan applications, Present the Layout and/or Schematic view of the Unit Under Test.

• Would you prefer a node-locked license (USB dongle) or a floating (network) license? In case of a network license, would you want to share the license with other facilities in the country or even globally?

Hardware related questions:

• How would you like to connect the JTAG / boundary scan controller hardware to the tester PC: USB, PCI, PXI, Ethernet, PCI Express, PXI Express, LXI, Cabled PCI Express, some other bus?

• How many scan chains do your UUTs typically have?

• How many scan chains do you need to control concurrently?

• Do you intend to test/program multiple UUTs at the same time (concurrently) with this test system?

• What is the maximum TCK frequency the boundary scan devices on your UUTs typically support?

• Would this station be intended for boundary scan test only or would you also want to program Flash devices or serial EEPROMs?

• Have you experienced or expect to experience any Design for Test (DFT) issues related to JTAG / boundary scan, such as a Scan Chain that is not designed properly, TAP signals on JTAG compliant devices that are only accessible through test points, Compliance Enable conditions that can only be satisfied by probing test points, or some other DFT problems?

• Do you need tester I/O channels in order to include peripheral I/O connectors on the UUT in the boundary scan tests?

• Do you intend to run the JTAG/boundary scan system as a stand-alone installation or would you want to integrate the tools in third-party ATE equipment (such as In-Circuit Tester, Flying-Probe Tester, Functional Tester)?

Services related questions:

• Are you interested in a DFT Analysis on one of your UUTs? Will you require system and/or test technology training?

• Are you interested in our test development services, BSDL Verification Services, and/or turn-key solutions?