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The primary function of ScanWorks' boundary-scan controllers
is to control how JTAG test vectors are applied to the UUT. The
vectors created by ScanWorks are transferred over an internal
PC bus to the boundary-scan controller. The controller accepts
data and commands from ScanWorks software and manipulates the
IEEE 1149.1 JTAG Test Access Port (TAP) signals to accomplish
the test or programming activity.
With today’s technology, the PCI bus is the most efficient
PC bus for boundary-scan applications. It supports a data throughput
rate fast enough to support any test application and it is a very
reliable bus. The PXI bus is an extension of the PCI bus and it
also is very efficient. Other PC interfaces such as a PC's parallel
port or a serial bus can be used but, generally, these are not
fast or reliable enough except in special applications. Nevertheless,
ScanWorks can be connected to the UUT through a PC's parallel
port. In addition, ASSET’s new USB-100 hardware kit maximizes
testing and in-system programming flexibility while minimizing
total cost-of-ownership. About the size of a pack of playing cards,
the new portable, cost-effective controller enables a host of
exciting new uses for ScanWorks test stations. When combined with
ASSET’s uniquely flexible network licensing, the total cost
of board validation is reduced substantially.
ScanWorks has four JTAG controllers:
Each of these controllers has specific features that are particularly
useful for certain applications of JTAG. Taken as a group, the
ScanWorks controllers offer features and capabilities for all
of the most widespread applications of boundary scan.
Controllers Overview
PCI-100
Hardware Kit
 The
PCI Single-Port Boundary-Scan Controller (PCI-100) is ScanWorks'
workhorse JTAG controller. Its throughput is fast enough for most
applications and it can be interfaced to most boards being tested.
In many cases, it can be used without an interface pod. At the
user's discretion, an interface pod is sometimes installed between
the ScanWorks JTAG controller and the UUT.
The low cost of the PCI-100 JTAG controller makes it an attractive
choice for manufacturing stations. It supports one set of TAP
signals, but the signals can be expanded to four boundary scan
TAPs with the MultiTAP Buffer
Board or the Four-TAP Buffer Pod. As many as eight PCI Single-Port
Boundary-Scan Controllers can be installed in one PC-based JTAG
test platform.
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PXI-100
Hardware Kit
The PXI Single-Port Boundary-Scan Controller (PXI-100) has the
same features as the PCI-100, but it comes in a PXI 3U form factor.
It has been designed for functional test environments where PXI
has become the dominant technology. The PXI-100 interfaces to
the same pods or buffer boards as the PCI-100, making for an easy
transition from a bench-top JTAG environment in development to
a functional test environment in manufacturing. As many as eight
PXI Single-Port Boundary-Scan Controllers can be installed in
one PXI-based test platform.
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PCI-410
Multiport Boundary Scan Controller
 The
PCI Multiport Boundary-Scan Controller (PCI-410) is a high throughput,
flexible JTAG controller designed for a high-volume manufacturing
environment. The drivers for the PCI interface to the host PC
have been optimized for 30 percent faster throughput than the
PCI-100 at the same JTAG test clock (TCK) frequency. The PCI Multiport
Boundary-Scan Controller requires a Four-Port Boundary-Scan Interface
Pod to connect to the UUT. The pod can be up to 50 feet from the
controller card and still support the maximum TCK frequency of
50 MHz. The PCI Multiport Boundary-Scan Controller can support
two Four-Port Boundary-Scan Interface Pods and as many as three
PCI Multiport Boundary-Scan Controllers can be installed in one
PC. In a maximum configuration, one test platform can connect
to as many as 24 JTAG scan paths (2 x 4 x 3 = 24). ScanWorks provides
the software to easily manage multiple scan paths.
Because the PCI Multiport Boundary-Scan Controller is embedded
in the ScanWorks for Agilent Medalist 3070 or i5000 in-circuit
test (ICT) system, the transition from development to ICT systems
in manufacturing is quite seamless.
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USB-100
Portable Boundary Scan Controller
USB Controller Sets Industry Benchmark for Convenient,
Cost-Effective Boundary-Scan (JTAG) Test
ASSET's new USB-100 hardware kit maximizes testing and in-system
programming flexibility while minimizing total cost-of-ownership.
About the size of a pack of playing cards, the new portable, cost-effective
controller enables a host of exciting new uses for ScanWorks test
stations. When combined with ASSET's uniquely flexible network
licensing, the total cost of board validation is reduced substantially.
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 You're
in your office, finishing the development of an interconnect
test on your new prototype. Suddenly the phone rings.
It's George in manufacturing. He asks if you could
come over for a few minutes and see what's wrong with
one of the 10Gbps Ethernet boards. It's failing functional
test and the technicians aren't sure what's wrong.
A customer needs the pack right away, so it has to
ship this afternoon.
You grab your laptop with its ScanWorks USB-100 controller
and walk over to the shop floor. Luckily, you have
the ScanWorks project for the 10Gbps Ethernet board
on your PC, so you load it up and hook up to the board's
JTAG Test Access Port. Within a minute you've got
the test up and running, and, yes, the interconnect
test failed. Diagnostics reveal that you've got a
cold solder joint on U53 pin 247. Everything else
looks OK. You tell George to send the board to repair
to reball the BGA and then test it again. And you
make a mental note to check the contract manufacturer's
test methodology. |
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 Troubleshooting
complex systems like the navigation controls in a
jet fighter can be a challenging task. The in-service
diagnostic test has indicated a failure but not isolated
the problem to a line-replaceable unit (LRU). Fortunately,
you're equipped with a laptop and ASSET's USB-100
controller. You're ready for anything. A JTAG test
rapidly finds and isolates the fault and you send
the board with its test results back to the repair
depot. By isolating the fault to the LRU, the fighter
can quickly be made mission-ready.
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Boundary-scan testing is saving
your company tons of money and the ScanWorks stations
are getting lots of use. In fact, you already own
10 licenses, but they're all single-user configurations.
To make ScanWorks more available to everyone, you're
ready to network the licenses so they can float across
the many PCs that are available both
in your facility and in an adjacent building. But
you're concerned about the cost of the hardware that
may be needed to interface the ScanWorks stations
to your units-under-test.
 Not
a problem. With networked licenses and a handful of
ASSET's USB-100 hardware kits, ScanWorks can be loaded
on as many PCs as you wish, in your building, on your
campus or throughout your enterprise. And you only
need to purchase the minimal amount of hardware to
satisfy the total number of possible ScanWorks users
at any one time.
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