The JTAG Linking Problem
To reduce test and in-system device programming times designers often use multiple scan chains to shortened the number of test clock cycles required to program a FLASH or CPLD device in-system.
There are several challenges designing a system or PCB with multiple scan chains
- Signal Integrity must be addressed in the standard bussed distribution of TCK, TMS and TRST signals
when Point-to-Point signals are known to have better SI (no stubs, split impedences etc)
- It's desired to use series termination at the driver of TCK due to the better performance, but 1149.1 bussed topology with multiple end-points is not compatible with series termination.
- TCK Skew throughout the system narrows the window of operation due to setup/hold times of TMS and TDI limiting overall JTAG scan rates.
- Older solutions such as TI Scan Path Linker 74LVT8997 or National Semiconductor Scan Bridge STA112, STA111, PSC111 are single voltage with single TCK and TMS distribution per path
- Ad-hoc designs with multiple MSI packages result in many non-testable points of JTAG chain failure
- Multiple MSI packages increases cost of stocking, ordering and decreases layout area.
- Test complexity increases
significantly with single path ad-hoc designs and IEEE 1149.1 expertise is required to integrate
and test the system
- Accommodating multiple voltage level ICs requires the designer to add voltage translators on JTAG
- Ad-hoc design energy is repeated for each PCB designed by the company
Embedded Scan Ring LinkerTM creates a single High-Speed 1149.1 Test Bus
NSC Scan Bridge STA112 and TI 8996 Scan Path Linker
Replacement
SRL Creates a Single Test Interface for complex PCBs
The ideal solution provides the design engineer with plug-and-play IC that can be easily embedded into a PCB or System to reduce the complexities and costs of designing 1149.1 test infrastructure for designs that use multiple scan rings.
The SRL links 4 to 14 scan rings (depending on package) into a single high-speed test bus, which permits devices on secondary scan chains to be independently tested and configured through a single 1149.1 external interface. This dramatically shortens scan operations and thus enables maximum data throughput. The SRL enables multi-PCB systems to be linked together for a System JTAG level test.
Find out how Intellitech's SRL helped Polycom test a complex multi-PCB system with FPGAs, DSPs and SERDES here: Scan Chain Routing Multiplexer
SRL simplifies design of a multi-scan chain system
- SRL handles distribution of multiple
copies of TCK, TMS and TRST signals on local scan paths
- All SRL pins are fully testable for
shorts and bridging faults across 1149.1/JTAG signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) with the EclipseTM Test Development Environment
- All SRL pins are configurable to target 1.8V-5V operation
- SRL as part of an embedded configuration
and test solution that supports an entire system in the lab, in
manufacturing and in the field
- The SRL is available in Comercial, Industrial and AECQ qualified parts. Rohs-5 or Rohs-6 compliant
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