Product category:
Design and Development Software
News Release from: Asset InterTech | Subject: ScanWorks
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 24 February 2005
Boundary scan test system gains
programming engine
Asset InterTech has integrated into its ScanWorks boundary scan environment Lattice Semiconductor's ispVM System, a programming engine that supports the IEEE1532 standard for in-system configuration.
Asset InterTech has integrated into its ScanWorks boundary scan environment Lattice Semiconductor's ispVM System, a programming engine that supports the IEEE1532 standard for in-system configuration The same ScanWorks system that applies boundary scan tests to an assembled circuit board can also program multiple onboard logic devices concurrently, reducing programming time and increasing the efficiency of manufacturing operations
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Asset InterTech is modifying its ScanWorks platform for open embedded instrumentation tools to support Avago Technologies' embedded instrumentation technology for ASICs.
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ScanWorks can be used with Maxim's MAX16031 and MAX16032 system monitors and MAX16046-MAX16049 system managers through the devices' IEEE1149.1 interfaces.
Benchmark tests by Asset have shown that programming times can be reduced by 30% or more.
The new ScanWorks with 1532 concurrent programming capabilities has been trialled at Alcatel, a global supplier of communications equipment.
"From our experience with it, we can see that the concurrent programming capability of ScanWorks with IEEE1532 has the potential to save our organisation considerable time", said Doug Way, Test Engineer at Alcatel and a member of the IEEE working group that developed the IEEE1532 specification.
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uMaster and Asset's ScanWorks platform can help manufacturers identify faults early in the design cycle, improving prototype yields and accelerating time to market.
Boundary-scan system supports Intel's IBIST
IBIST leverages the boundary-scan IEEE1149.1 specification as the hardware and software communication methodology for accessing and controlling its embedded on-chip capabilities.
Boundary-scan system opens up to third parties
Asset InterTech has enhanced its ScanWorks boundary-scan (JTAG) system, increasing its openness to third-party technologies and products.
"The integration of IEEE1532 capabilities into ScanWorks is very seamless".
"As a result, ScanWorks makes IEEE1532 easy to use".
Dave Bonnett, Asset's Technical Marketing Manager, served as Vice Chairman of the IEEE1532 working group.
"The IEEE1532 working group tried to address the in-system configuration needs of the boundary-scan community as well as PLD tools vendors and the suppliers of in-circuit test (ICT) systems", Bonnett said.
"Being based on an industry standard allows the 1532 methodology to be deployed across a variety of test technologies".
"For example, designers can use 1532 on ScanWorks stations during development, manufacturing and test engineers can also tap into 1532 on ScanWorks manufacturing stations and, in addition, technicians can utilise 1532 during high volume manufacturing on a ScanWorks for the Agilent 3070 ICT system".
The IEEE1532 standard uses the JTAG infrastructure on a circuit board to access onboard programmable logic devices (PLDs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to load programming or configuration data into them.
If multiple IEEE1532 programmable devices are present, they all can be configured simultaneously, drastically reducing the time it would take to program each device one after the other.
With Lattice's ispVM System programming engine, Asset's ScanWorks is able to program any PLD or FPGA that conforms to the IEEE1532 standard regardless of the supplier of the device.
"Our arrangement with Lattice demonstrates the strategic directions we have undertaken for Asset as a company and ScanWorks as a boundary scan technology", said Reg Waller, European Director for Asset InterTech.
"First, bringing best-in-class solutions to our users is our foremost objective and sometimes that means forming strategic relationships and integrating technologies from other companies, like Lattice, Agilent or International Test Technologies".
"In other cases, the best-in-class technology we deliver is developed by Asset, such as Intel IBIST or 1149.6 high-speed bus testing".
"All that matters to our users is that we deliver best-in-class solutions and that's what we're doing".
"Second, integrating the ispVM System engine into ScanWorks shows that being focused on boundary scan has paid off handsomely because we are able to easily integrate best-in-class capabilities into the ScanWorks environment".
"Without a solid JTAG infrastructure, it wouldn't be so easy and our users would have to wait considerably longer for us to respond to their needs".
The ispVM System engine has been seamlessly integrated into ScanWorks so that the in-system configuration capabilities of IEEE1532 have the same look and feel as all other ScanWorks operations.
ispVM System draws on the same boundary-scan path descriptions that other ScanWorks operations do and it is able to target configuration data to PLDs at any level in the system's hierarchy.
To execute an IEEE1532 programming operation, the user sets the options defined in the standard and these are saved as a ScanWorks action.
This action then can be applied to a circuit board containing IEEE1532 programmable devices at the same time as other ScanWorks test and programming actions are applied during the manufacturing process.
"We are very pleased that Asset has chosen to integrate ispVM System into the ScanWorks environment", said Steve Stark, Director of Marketing for Lattice.
"ispVM System has established a leadership position in the marketplace, and now we are providing key functionality for a leading boundary scan system".
"We look forward to working closely with Asset to ensure the continued success of ScanWorks and the ispVM System".
ScanWorks with the ispVM engine and support for IEEE1532 Concurrent In-System Configuration is available now from Asset's direct sales force and its global network of resellers.
Limited-term licensing for ScanWorks begins at $6000.
Standard and network licences are also available, ensuring flexible pricing options and low cost of ownership.
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