Open-source project provides IEEE training

The network, founded by various universities and the Company Testonica Lab, pursues the goal to provide the industry JTAG/Boundary Scan tools and knowledge based on an independent and non-commercial platform, sustainably accelerating the wide adoption of standardised IEEE 1194.x test methods.

The centre piece of Goepel Electronic's engagement is the provision of free hardware and respective reference designs.

The goJTAG software includes a simulation component that fully reveals every single bit movement along the scan chains with a single TCK precision.

The user can directly step-wise control TAP states and observe the system's reaction in a real time, as well as an on-screen, simulation.

Using PicoTAP controller, all actions can be synchronised on the hardware attached.

Such a fine-grain illustration of JTAG test principles has never been possible so far.

Stefan Meissner, marketing and PR manager at Goepel Electronic, said: 'The number of new designs with most modern packaging technologies, high-speed signals, PFGA and high-performance processors disproportionately increases and requires adequate test strategies.

'IEEE-standardised test methods may offer important help, but a wide adoption requires respective know-how transfer as well as freely available training tools.

'We see goJTAG as opportunity to popularise the research institutes' existing knowledge and service offers, and hence foster co-operations.

'Additionally, the open-source philosophy may be of help to smooth the way for numerous new users and applications without future pressure to vendor specific migrations,' he added.

The platform's first open-source project goJTAG provides an IEEE 1149.1 training software that can be run in simulation mode and online mode.

The tool enables the graphical display of Boundary Scan ICs, the visualisation of register states, pin toggling and the execution of SVF files without any qualitative limitations.

The definition of networks is also possible.

The source code, written in Java, is freely accessible and can be changed under the generally valid terms and conditions for open-source software.

In the online mode, the software can be utilised for individual projects.

For this, Goepel Electronic has developed a specific controller that is also as a free reference design.

Furthermore, Goepel Electronic provides a contingency of 100 goJTAG kits, including hardware and software for free.