Product category:
ATE Systems
News Release from: JTAG Technologies | Subject: TapCommunicator
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 07 December 2005
Gigabit Ethernet fills missing boundary
scan link
TapCommunicator is a novel product for remote, high-fidelity communications of boundary-scan test vectors and device programming data, using existing communication links.
TapCommunicator is a novel product for remote, high-fidelity communications of boundary-scan test vectors and device programming data, using existing communication links Until today the systems used to run boundary-scan applications in production or service have needed to be located in close proximity to the target or UUT (unit under test)
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 12 Oct 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Even while supporting widespread corporate test topologies, it has been necessary to colocate the boundary-scan controller and UUT hardware (PCBs or subsystems).
Early techniques, such as manipulation of test clock (TCK) phase/frequency or repeaters were introduced to overcome the distance limitation.
However these approaches have often involved other compromises and are only useful within a limited, local range.
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TapCommunicator overcomes all previous limitations in an affordable and compact module.
Since it also operates on the standard IEEE1149.1 protocols and state machine it is vendor independent and can be used with any compliant tester, emulator or programmer product utilising this burgeoning standard.
Comprising gigabit Ethernet "uplink" and compatible "downlink" modules the boundary-scan applications are coded and decoded onto the protocol in the new compact TAPSpacer format devised by Patria Advanced Solutions.
The result is an extremely robust communications system that allows limitless high-speed links between tester and target without signal degradation.
Applications for the TapCommunicator exist in a variety of current arenas.
Test or service departments may wish to test or reconfigure target systems after deployment.
In many cases, access to such systems may be difficult or impossible due to the distance or environmental conditions involved.
TapCommunicator, with the uplink at the test system communicating with the downlink at the target (via a communication link such as a corporate network) provides full boundary-scan access for test and diagnostic purposes and re-configuration.
In environmental testing boundary-scan provides effective screening for faults in a UUT which may be induced under environmental stress conditions, as in HALT and HASS testing.
TapCommunicator permits the boundary-scan system to be located at any distance from the test chamber and target, allowing testing to take place without the need for direct access.
In a manufacturing facility with multiple production lines, each with a dedicated test system, TapCommunicator can reduce the hardware burden by placing the downlink module only within the tester.
What's more, any vendor's JTAG controller hardware can be used in this way.
As TAPSpacer is a highly portable format it is envisaged that other carrier protocols, in addition to gigabit Ethernet, could be harnessed for different applications.
Use of SpaceWire technology for example could even allow remote testing and diagnostics of orbiting satellites.
A spokesman from JTAG Technologies said: "We are currently encouraging customers, whether or not they currently use our existing tools, to approach us to discuss requirements for implementation of other communication links besides the gigabit Ethernet".
"Not only is this technology protocol independent it can also be used with any existing boundary-scan/IEEE1149.1 controller equipment of any vendor". Request a free brochure from JTAG Technologies ...
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