During the “Virtual Instruments in Practice” (VIP) convention sponsored by National Instruments Germany, GÖPEL electronic introduced the development of a new series of specific JTAG/Boundary Scan controllers with PXI Express interface as part of the revolutionary Boundary Scan hardware platform SCANFLEX.
The prototype of the new SCANFLEX Boundary Scan controller family (SFX controllers) is named SFX/PXIe1149-(x) and includes three models for different performance classes.
“We rate PXI Express as one of the most important strategic test & measurement standards for modular instrumentations with an enormous market potential in the future,” declares Thomas Wenzel, Director of the Business Unit Boundary Scan at GÖPEL electronic. “The new series of SFX controllers will be the first to apply the PXI Express standard’s performance to extended JTAG/Boundary Scan applications. On this basis, an unrivalled data throughput for complex tests, as well as high speed in-system programming of Flash and PLD components can be achieved. Consequently, this solution is going to be highly interesting for production processes, and results in short return-on-investment.”
Michael Dahms, CEO National Instruments Deutschland, adds: “By adapting the new PXI Express technology, GÖPEL electronic demonstrates the significance of the powerful bus standard for test and measurement. GÖPEL electronic will further extend its position as major supplier of JTAG/Boundary Scan solutions.“
After SFX controllers for PCI, PXI, USB/LAN and FireWire, the new series SFX/PXIe1149-(x) is the fifth family of SCANFLEX controllers – available in three performance classes A, B and C. The models differ in the maximum TCK frequency (20, 50, and 80 MHz, respectively) and in the degree of implementation of the enhanced SPACE™ chip set for high performance scan operations. In contrast to conventional solutions, the integrated FASTSCALE™ technology allows an upgrade of the controller’s performance class “on the fly”, without intricate mounting of additional hardware. Standard features on all SCANFLEX controllers include ADYCS™ II for signal path delay compensation, and HYSCAN™ for dynamic splitting of serial TAP vectors and parallel I/O vectors.
The new controller family’s x1 configuration achieves transfer rates up to 264 MB/s in „zero wait state burst mode“ and is based upon the PXI Express hardware specification 1.0, with support for defined Local Bus, trigger, und synchronisation methodologies. Thus, in combination with additional modular SCANFLEX components, PXI Express based high performance Boundary Scan systems with up to eight Test Access Prots (TAPs) can be configured and synchronised with other functional modules. All TAPs provide programmable input and output voltage as well as programmable input and output impedance. Furthermore, resources such as 32 dynamic I/O, two analog I/O channels, three static I/O, and trigger lines are standard features.
The new controller SFX/PXIe1149-(x) is fully supported in the industry leading Boundary Scan Software SYSTEM CASCON™ from version 4.3 on. Based on integrated CASCON CAPI functions (CASCON Application Programming Interface), preconverted software plug-in modules are available for comfortable system integration using tools such as NI LabView, NI LabWindows and NI TestStand, among others.
SFX/PXIe1149-(x) will be available for delivery in the third quarter in 2006.
GÖPEL electronic, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Jena/Germany, is a worldwide leading vendor of innovative JTAG/Boundary Scan / IEEE 1149.x components and systems, providing mature software tools, high-performance controllers and accessories, as well as comprehensive product support and value added services. The company with an annual turnover of more than 13 million Euro in 2005 employs 110 people and maintains offices in Germany, the United States and France. An extended distribution and service network ensures excellent onsite and local customer support throughout the world. Further information about GÖPEL electronic can be found on the internet at www.goepel.com.