At the 2006 International Test Conference (ITC) GOEPEL electronic, world-class vendor of JTAG/Boundary Scan solutions compliant with IEEE Std.1149.x, demonstrates several VarioCore-IP™ in action for the first time. This revolutionary VarioCore® technology is embedded in the award-winning JTAG/Boundary Scan platform SCANFLEX®, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of SCANFLEX® I/O modules with special Intellectual Property (IP) to support a wide range of test capabilities in the same hardware setup.
The live demonstration involves different IP’s for static and dynamic testing and programming in a single execution sequence. The Unit Under Test (UUT) is a VarioCore-Coach™, which is a demo board developed specifically to demonstrate the range of possibilities the VarioCore® technology enables.
“The market is highly interested in our innovative VarioCore® technology. We already signed up several customers for a variety of applications on a project basis“, Thomas Wenzel, managing director of GOEPEL electronic’s Boundary Scan division is pleased to announce. “In particular, the opportunity to directly influence IP functionality and to control the reconfiguration as well as the test resources from an integrated software environment is considered by many experts as a whole new level of flexibility.”
The VarioCore-Coach™ provides circuit elements such as RAM, Flash, FPGA, connectors, display, etc., used to demonstrate various static and dynamic VarioCore® operation and test modes. The system setup presented at the GOEPEL booth (#515) at the International Test Conference showcases the testing and programming of the VarioCore-Coach with a SFX/TSL1149-B controller, a SFX/TAP4 Transceiver, and a SCANFLEX® I/O module SFX-5350, dynamically reconfigured at test run time with different VarioCore-IP for specific applications, all controlled by the JTAG/Boundary Scan software SYSTEM CASCON™.
SFX-5350 is controlled via the SCANFLEX® internal parallel bus, independent of the TAPs. The standard version provides 50 bi-directional differential channels. It can be plugged onto any SCANFLEX TAP transceiver with 2, 4, 6, or 8 TAP, or onto a SCANFLEX Carrier module.
VarioCore™ enables a reconfiguration of the module with Intellectual Property, supporting nearly unlimited functionality. This reconfiguration is dynamically executed in a split second; the number and sequence of reconfigurations are unlimited within a test run.
For the support of VarioCore® functionality a respective VarioCore-IP™ Program, initiated by GÖPEL electronic and involving select partner companies worldwide, will be established soon. Furthermore, a special end user licensing agreement will be offered for a hardware/software development kit (HDK / SDK) for specific SCANFLEX® I/O modules, allowing customers to create their own VarioCore-IP.
Additional live demonstrations of VarioCore® technology can be experienced at Boundary Scan Days® throughout the world, run by GÖPEL electronic and its partner companies. These are special Boundary Scan technology days and user group meetings. Potential VarioCore® customer projects can be discussed with experts at such events or by contacting GÖPEL directly.
GÖPEL electronic, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Jena, Germany, is a worldwide leading vendor of innovative JTAG / Boundary Scan / IEEE 1149.x solutions, offering mature software tools in an integrated development environment, high-performance Boundary Scan controllers and accessories, as well as comprehensive product support and value added services. The ISO 9001 certified company employs 120 people and maintains support and sales offices in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. An extended distribution and service network of more than 300 specialists ensures excellent local and on-site customer support for more than 4,500 worldwide system installations. Further information about the “2006 Best In Test Award” winner can be found on the Internet at www.goepel.com.