Goepel Extends VarioTAP to Fujitsu and Infineon Devices
November 1, 2012. Goepel electronic has announced the availability of VarioTAP model libraries for Fujitsu's first MB86R0x Jade series and MB86R1x Emerald series graphical display controllers (GDC). In addition, it announced the availability of VarioTAP model libraries for the TC17xx AUDO microcontroller series from Infineon.
The libraries enable the flexible execution of processor emulation tests utilizing the native debug interface. Hardware verification and test as well as flash memory programming are possible without specific firmware.
“Many of our customers in the automotive industry utilize the powerful Fujitsu controllers for their embedded graphics applications. They increasingly appealed to us regarding VarioTAP support as embedded access technology,” explained Steffen Koehler, technology officer for processor emulation in Goepel electronic’s JTAG/boundary-scan Division. “The currently available VarioTAP models meet all these demands. They enable completely new test and programming strategies, mainly avoiding intrusive board contacting. The results are a faster prototype validation and a significant test quality improvement in the production process.”
The Fujitsu MB86Rxx controllers serve in embedded automotive navigation systems, visual dashboards, or head-up displays. The Jade series (MB86R0x) is controlled by an ARM9 processor; the heart of the Emerald series (MB86R1x) is an ARM Cortex A9 core. All GDC are integrated in a BGA housing, featuring numerous complex analog and digital peripheral units, including multiple video interfaces, a DDR RAM interface, and an external flash interface.
Libraries for AUDO
Goepel also announced the availability of VarioTAP model libraries for the TC17xx AUDO microcontroller series from Infineon.
“Our developments in emulation test are currently focused in particular on automotive applications. Supporting the Infineon TriCore architecture means covering another market-leading processor family,” said Bettina Richter, marketing manager with GOEPEL electronic. “At the same, we systematically extend the product portfolio of embedded system access strategies for Infineon processors. Hence, users can continuously take advantage in utilizing the same tools to implement their test and programming strategies also when applying different target processor series.”
The AUDO (AUtomotive unifieD processOr) TC17xx microcontroller series is based on the TriCore RISC/DSP/MCU processor core. The wide and scalable product range provides options for memory capacities, peripheral interfaces, frequencies, and temperature ranges; the devices serve in automotive powertrain, body, and safety applications. The microcontrollers are integrated in a BGA housing, preventing direct contact with external instruments.
VarioTAP provides tools for test, hardware debugging, flash programming, and design validation after chip mounting despite minimal access. VarioTAP enables the reconfiguration of the integrated processor into a native design embedded-test and programming controller via the JTAG debug port. The use of VarioTAP does not require expert background knowledge, additional development tools, processor-specific pods, or any firmware.
The new VarioTAP IP models are supported in the CASCON GALAXY development and execution software starting from version 4.6.1, and are activated by the license manager in the system software.