
Web JTAG tool supports innovative fast board failure test
JTAGLive Studio is a comprehensive package of Python-based JTAG boundary-scan tools that enable electronic designers and manufacturing test engineers to develop complete PCB test and programming applications. Studio establishes a new class of PCB test and device programming tool-set that dramatically lowers the cost of entry for test and hardware engineers, while still offering the many traditional benefits of JTAG/boundary-scan alongside newer technologies, like processor-controlled test.
A key feature is that JTAGLive Studio works with or without design netlist data and can be used to test interconnects (from individual nets to an entire board), logic clusters, memories and more. It can scan an existing known board and use the link data to test a failed board through a simple comparison. This approach identifies failed components, not just the chips with the JTAG ports, quickly and easily.
Studio also includes device programming features that support JAM/STAPL and SVF data formats for CPLD and [FPGA] configuration PROM programming. It can be further used to program flash and serial PROMs. The options for accessing the debug modes of ’processor cores allows cost effective access to techniques known variously as Processor Controlled Test and JTAG Emulation Test. A dedicated, USBpowered, TAP interface/controller with programmable thresholds is also supplied.
Many of the cluster test and memory programming features are provided through Python language JTAG script routines, called through Studio’s embedded API. Python can also be used to construct stand-alone third party, open source libraries such as the Tkinter
"In the 20 or so years since JTAG technology was introduced and subsequently vaunted as the de facto method to test PCBs, many potential users have been put off adoption due to cost and perceived complexity of the available tools," said Peter van den Eijnden, JTAG Technologies MD. "To address these concerns JTAG Technologies is proud to announce JTAGLive Studio; believed to be the first genuine attempt to dispel many of the JTAG boundary-scan myths. The benefits offered by the JTAG technology for debugging, testing and in-system programming are not just limited to complex designs with many JTAG devices," he said. "Designs with only one or two JTAG devices can also benefit greatly from this technology throughout their life cycle. Such designs are now served by a cost-effective JTAG toolset making it feasible for many more companies to adopt a JTAG/Boundary-scan strategy."
All JTAGLive products can be interfaced to targets through the Altera USB-Blaster, Xilinx parallel and USB download interfaces, JTAGLive’s own controller or the full range of JTAG Technologies controllers featuring USB, E-Net, PXI(e) or PCI(e) interfaces. JTAGLive Buzz is the world’s first free-for-life boundary-scan test tool and remains the most downloaded tool in its class.
JTAGLive Studio is priced at 3450 Euros or approximately 2950 GBP
www.jtaglive.com
