Open-Source JTAG Simulator Bundle for Labs

Abstract

This paper presents a software/hardware bundle for studying, training and research related to IEEE 1149.1 Boundary Scan (BS) standard. The presented package includes a software environment Trainer 1149 that is capable to graphically visualize BS facilities and perform fine-grain simulation of BS test process. Trainer 1149 provides a cozy graphical design and simulation environment of BS-enabled chips and non-BS clusters. It provides the user with a full flexibility in working with any type of BS structures by supporting standard formats such as Boundary Scan Description Language and SVF (for defining test patterns). A special fault simulation mode allows injecting various types of interconnection faults to simulate their impact and inspect them using interactive tools. Trainer 1149 is the main component of a recent goJTAG initiative that aims at bringing JTAG tools closer to the user for both learning and experimental work purposes. The software part is implemented in multi-platform Java environment and distributed as an open-source freeware. Using a convenient low-cost USB-JTAG controller, one can also test real defects in real hardware. Such combination of features is unique for a public domain BS package