Product category: Design and Development Software
News Release from: Asset InterTech
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 29 November 2005
Online boundary-scan validation service launched
Asset InterTech has announced an online service that validates the accuracy of boundary scan description language files that describe the boundary-scan characteristics of semiconductor devices
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Asset InterTech has announced an online service that validates the accuracy of boundary scan description language (BSDL) files that describe the boundary-scan characteristics of semiconductor devices. Asset collaborated with Agilent Technologies on the development of the free online service.
Asset will host and support the website on an ongoing basis.
Agilent and previously offered an email-based BSDL checker, which has been used over 90,000 times by chip suppliers.
The new BSDL Validation Service expands on its predecessor's capabilities and is available in an easy-to-use web browser interface.
BSDL files are required to perform boundary scan tests or programming operations on electronic circuit boards and systems.
BSDL files are used to building a model of the unit under test in order to apply test patterns or programming algorithms to it.
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An inaccurate BSDL file can cause faulty results when boundary scan operations take place.
'Before JTAG tests can be automatically generated, the engineer has to have BSDL files for all of the devices on a scan chain', Reg Waller, European Director for Asset InterTech.
'So the whole process begins with BSDL files'.
'Anything we can do to help chip suppliers verify the accuracy of BSDL files will greatly improve the testability of printed circuit boards and systems for hardware manufacturers'.
The BSDL Validation Service has two functional modules.
Once a BSDL file is submitted online, the BSDL Syntax Checker examines punctuation and spelling to determine whether the syntax of the file is accurate.
Then it analyses the BSDL file to locate any semantic discrepancies, such as missing instruction codes, register associations or register cells, as required by the standard.
The service's second module, Automatic Test Pattern Generation, creates a set of test vectors in a simple truth-table format.
These vectors can effectively test a chip design during the simulation phase to verify that it meets many of the requirements of the IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan standard and that the BSDL accurately describes the silicon.
'The more accurate BSDL files are, the better off hardware manufacturers will be', said Ken Parker, an engineering scientist with Agilent.
'There are few, if any, tools that automate some of the base level checking on BSDL files'.
'This new BSDL Validation Service has significantly enhanced functionality and it is simpler to use because it is available directly on the Internet'.
The new BSDL Validation Service is completely free.
After creating a user account and password, a BSDL file can be submitted to the tool immediately.
The tool retains a history of each user's submissions and, for a limited time, it will store the results of a syntax check and any test patterns that are generated.
These outputs from the tool can be downloaded at any time, providing they are still stored on the system.
Asset's technical support department maintains and supports the BSDL Validation Service.
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