Boundary scan tool available for free

This is the first time that a boundary scan tool has been available for free and could revolutionise its usage by design engineers checking pcbs. Three variations are available – Buzz, Clip and Script, with the first available free from www.jtaglive.com. Buzz is designed to provide the ability to check direct and indirect connections between devices supporting boundary scan. The graphical interface shows pin level details of the boundary scan ics on the board and, after confirming the infrastructure, users can drag and drop any scan pin and sense the logic level in its Watch section. Clip offers additional ways to verify cluster logic using vector based cluster tests. After analysing each vector in a sequence and the drive values for device inputs, it presents the vectors as a combination logic analyser / pattern generator display. Script enables users to adopt a device orientated test approach to take control of a design through onboard JTAG/boundary scan compliant devices. Applications include testing mixed signal parts and looping test patterns to set up device registers. The tool consists of a set of test routines based on the open source Python program, which enables Script to drive and sense values on pins or groups of pins. JTAG Live has been created to capitalise on the boundary scan circuitry found on high end boards and as the tools use boundary scan description language (bdsl) files, there is no need for a netlist. The bdsl files identify device inputs and outputs for driving and sensing, enabling users to define up to two boundary scan chains and verify chain integrity. James Stanbridge, JTAG's sales manager, UK, said: "By providing a free download, we are opening the possibilities of boundary scan to everyone. Organisations that may rely on manual debugging now have the ability to download Buzz and it is free for life." The software range is available by clicking here.