Latest ScanWorks JTAG-Based Platform Shortens Time to Program Flash Memories

Asset InterTech Inc. Jun 26, 2020

Press Release Summary:

Features processor-based functional test/programming (PFx) tool that can perform fast programming routines, run functional tests on the devices and I/O buses on a circuit board
Can generate test patterns in Standard Test Interface Language (STIL) that can be applied by chip-level automatic test equipment (ATE) to test for shorts and opens between chiplets
Integration of ScanWorks FPGA-based Flash Programming (FFP) tool within the design module reduces the number of steps and shortening the time it takes to start using FFP

Original Press Release:

ASSET ScanWorks Streamlines Interconnect Testing of Chiplets in Multi-Die Packages and Accelerates Device Programming

Simplified shorts-and-opens testing of chiplets in multi-die packages with JTAG
Easier and faster programming of flash memories
Improved processor-based functional test

Richardson, TX (June 25, 2020) – With the newly enhanced version of ASSET® InterTech’s ScanWorks® JTAG-based platform of hardware debug, validation and test tools, engineers can more easily test the device interconnects between silicon ‘chiplets’ in multi-die packages and drastically shorten the time to program flash memories from hours to minutes.

Multi-die testing
For many years, ScanWorks’ JTAG tools have been used to test interconnects between integrated circuit devices on circuit boards. With these recent enhancements, ScanWorks now can quickly generate test patterns in the Standard Test Interface Language (STIL) that can be applied by chip-level automatic test equipment (ATE) to test for shorts and opens between chiplets.

“Previously, implementors of multi-die packages would manually write their own ad-hoc test scripts to generate the interconnect test patterns that would then be converted into STIL,” said Michael Johnson, ASSET’s product manager of ScanWorks. “But now, ScanWorks can take the netlist for such a package and directly generate the STIL test patterns to be applied by an ATE system, thus providing a simplified turnkey and automated test authoring solution for chiplets in multi-die packages. As a basis for on-board testing, suppliers of this type of package can provide the ScanWorks project used to generate the STIL patterns for ATE testing to board designers and contract manufacturers who are incorporating the package into their end products. This provides a complete end-to-end test and validation solution, another value point for the chiplet and multi-die package supplier.”

Flash Programming Enhanced
Greater integration of the ScanWorks FPGA-based Flash Programming (FFP) tool has simplified its use. Instead of launching FFP’s Embedded Test Generator (ETG) separately, it is now implemented within the design module of ScanWorks, reducing the number of steps and shortening the time it takes to start using FFP. Once deployed, FFP is able to reduce the programming times for flash memory devices from hours to minutes. The FPGA suppliers supported by the ScanWorks’ FFP tool are Intel Corporation (including Altera), Microchip Technology Inc. (including Microsemi) and Xilinx, Inc.

Processor-based Functional Test/Programming
Once a small test/programming agent is embedded into the on-chip RAM memory of an on-board System-on-a-Chip (SoC), ScanWorks’ Processor-based Functional Test/Programming (PFx) tool can perform fast programming routines, run functional tests on the devices and I/O buses on a circuit board, and configure or test DDR memories. Recent enhancement of the PFx tool offers greater flexibility to the board designer because additional devices can be placed on the same boundary-scan chain that connects the SoC to ScanWorks. The SoC families that are supported by the PFx tool include the i.MX6 from NXP, and the Zynq7000 and Zynq UltraScale+ from Xilinx. ASSET is a member of the partner programs of each of these companies.

Pricing and Availability
The new version of ScanWorks (Version 4.8) is available now from ASSET InterTech and its distributors. For pricing on a specific configuration of ScanWorks, consult an ASSET sales representative listed at https://www.asset-intertech.com/company/contact. For additional product information, call 888-694-6250 or e-mail ai-info@asset-intertech.com.

About ASSET InterTech
ASSET InterTech (www.asset-intertech.com) is a leading supplier of JTAG-based tools to debug, validate and test software and hardware. The company’s best-in-class SourcePoint™ and ScanWorks® platforms work in tandem to give engineers real insight from code to silicon. SourcePoint is a powerful debugger with advanced trace tools for embedded software systems, such as those based on Intel and AMD x86 processors. The boundary-scan based ScanWorks adds control of instruments embedded in chips for at-speed test and design validation of circuit boards. The result is maximum test coverage of the circuit board. Together they empower engineers with tools and technology for the entire life-cycle of a system, beginning with software and hardware development, continuing through design validation and software/hardware integration, and eventually supporting the testing of the product in manufacturing and field service. ASSET InterTech is located at 2201 North Central Expressway, Suite 105, Richardson, TX 75080.

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