JTAG Boundary-Scan Software Integrated Into ATE System Boosts Test Performance

April 17, 2007

JTAG boundary-scan capability is widely used to test ICs, pc boards ,and equipment. It saves time and ensures that even the most complex devices work as intended. Also, boundary-scan hardware and software are widely used in automatic test equipment (ATE)

Lou Frenzel

JTAG boundary-scan capability is widely used to test ICs, pc boards (PCBs), and equipment. It saves time and ensures that even the most complex devices work as intended. Also, boundary-scan hardware and software are widely used in automatic test equipment (ATE) such as SPEA SpA’s systems for testing semiconductors and electronic circuit boards.

SPEA has incorporated JTAG Technologies’ boundary-scan products into its 3030 in-circuit test system. Electronic design and manufacturing engineers now can benefit through the greater testability and programmability of complex PCBs.

The 3030 polyfunctional test system can test for shorts and open, analog problems, digital problems, and power-up problems. It also can provide vectorless and active output interface (AOI) testing. The new boundary-scan capability reduces test development and deployment times as well. Test coverage is maximized, and fixture complexity can be reduced due to test-point elimination, especially for complex digital pc boards where physical access to some electrical nodes is limited.

Prepared with JTAG Technologies’ development tools, tests are compiled to run on the SPEA 3030 hardware. The result is a solution in which circuit networks can be stimulated and/or sensed via the boundary-scan chain and vice versa by the pin electronics of the 3030. Test results are interpreted for analysis by the JTAG Technologies diagnostic tools, which present detailed information on fault causes, even in the event of multiple faults.

For more details, contact the manufacturers directly.

JTAG Technologies Inc.
www.jtag.com

SPEA Automatic Test Equipment
www.spea.com

About the Author

Lou Frenzel | Technical Contributing Editor

Lou Frenzel is a Contributing Technology Editor for Electronic Design Magazine where he writes articles and the blog Communique and other online material on the wireless, networking, and communications sectors. Lou interviews executives and engineers, attends conferences, and researches multiple areas. Lou has been writing in some capacity for ED since 2000.

Lou has 25+ years experience in the electronics industry as an engineer and manager. He has held VP level positions with Heathkit, McGraw Hill, and has 9 years of college teaching experience. Lou holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland. He is author of 28 books on computer and electronic subjects and lives in Bulverde, TX with his wife Joan. His website is www.loufrenzel.com.