Goepel increases engagement in open source initiative

In addition to the USB 2.0 controlled Boundary Scan controller, PicoTAP and respective software, it contains a specific demo board for practical exercises. "The response to the goJTAG initiative so far has significantly exceeded our expectations," said Frank Amm, Third Party Relations Manager with Goepel electronic. "At the same time, the huge interest has emphasised the topic's importance to the industry as well as its significance for research and education. Developing the goJTAG demo kit has been meeting the great demand for supplementing the theoretical basics by practical exercises." According to Goepel, the open source goJTAG is the first platform providing IEEE 1149.1 training software that can be run in both simulation and online mode. The tool is designed to enable numerous graphical displays on various levels. The online mode enables users to utilise the software for the new demo board for individual projects with no restrictions. Additionally, the goJTAG software includes simulation components that reveal every single bit movement along the scan chains. Users can step wise control TAP states and observe system's reaction in real time as an on screen simulation. Goepel states that such a detailed illustration of JTAG/Boundary Scan test principles has not been possible before. The source code is written in JAVA and is freely accessible. It can be changed under the general terms and conditions for open source software, while the reference designs for the PicoTAP and demo board are available free of charge for non commercial applications.