GOEPEL electronic supports open source Initiative for increased Adoption of IEEE 1149.x/Boundary Scan

goJTAG is the first university-driven open-source project aiming at providing a full package for a JTAG/Boundary Scan newcomer including training materials, slides and exercises. The software includes a simulation component that fully reveals every single bit movement along the scan chains with a single TCK precision. The user can directly step-wise control TAP states and observe system's reaction in a real time as an on-screen simulation. Using PicoTAP controller, all actions can be synchronized on the hardware attached. Such a fine-grain illustration of JTAG test principles has never been possible so far.
“The number of new designs with most modern packaging technologies, high-speed signals, PFGA and high performant processors disproportionately increases and requires adequate test strategies. IEEE standardised test methods may offer important help, but a wide adoption requires respective know-how transfer as well as freely available training tools. That’s why we were immediately ready to engage within the frame of the goJTAG inititive“, says Stefan Meissner, Marketing and PR Manager with GOEPEL electronic. “We see goJTAG as opportunity to popularise the research institutes‘ existing knowledge and service offers, and hence foster cooperations. Additionally, the open-source philosophy may be of great help to smooth the way for numerous new users and applications without future pressure to vendor specific migrations.”
Prof. Raimund Ubar, Head of Computer Engineering and Diagnostics Chair at Tallinn University of Technology, adds: “goJTAG software and training materials are a cumulative result of over 10 years of experience in giving hands-on and lecture courses in several universities all over Europe. We have seen many students being charmed by the beauty of JTAG and excited about the fact they can create their diagnostic strategies and actually localize a faulty net in a circuit. We are always happy to serve our colleagues by contributing with courses based on the new goJTAG package.”
Testonica's R&D Manager Sergei Devadze completes: “We are glad that the JTAG software that is being jointly developed by TUT and Testonica goes into the public domain. Providing open sources, we expect many enthusiasts to contribute to this project elevating the value of the whole package considerably. For instance, after a basic training on JTAG, students can participate in further software development in frames of their course projects.”
Dr. Wuttke, Technische Universität (Technical University) Ilmenau/Germany: “The long-term cooperation with Professor Ubar’s Chair in research and education was the key factor that we have a high-level theoretical teaching concept, which considers requirements in practice and can be understood by means of numerous examples and tasks in internet based laboratory experiments. The interactive e-learning materials provided on the goJTAG website allow newcomers as well as JTAG experts to acquire knowledge and practical skills, regardless of place and time. Case studies and sample solutions are to lead to a wide information exchange on the goJTAG sites in the future.”

The platform’s first open-source project goJTAG provides an IEEE 1149.1 training software that can be run in simulation mode as well as online mode. The tool enables the graphical display of Boundary Scan ICs in the respective mode, the visualisation of register states, pin toggling and the execution of SVF files without any qualitative limitations. The definition of networks is also possible. The source code written in JAVA™ is freely accessible and can be changed under the generally valid terms and conditions for open-source software.
In the online mode, the software can be utilised for individual projects. For this, GOEPEL electronic has developed a specific controller, which is also available as reference design free-of-charge. Furthermore, GOEPEL electronic provides a contingency of 100 goJTAG kits incl. hardware and software for free.