FPGA embedded Instruments

3rd May 2012

ES Admin

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At the Boundary Scan Days Germany, GOEPEL electronic introduces ChipVORX Module, a special FPGA based I/O module product range. The new modules are controlled via a standard TAP enabling the opening of the entire ChipVORX eco system of test and programming IPs for external instrumentation.

“Our ChipVORX technology has developed into the leading method of JTAG controlled FPGA embedded instrumentation within the last two years. With our new I/O modules users will be able to port high flexibility and performance directly to external infrastructures”, says Thomas Wenzel, GOEPEL electronics’ Boundary Scan Divisions managing director. “The dual usability of existing ChipVORX IP enables a complete synergy with embedded unit under test applications. Furthermore, existing systems can be simply extended organically.”

The first ChipVORX module named FXT-X90 is based on a Xilinx FPGA, providing 90 I/O channels, whereby 72 are voltage programmable. Being equipped with transparent TAP, the module enables the cascading of several boards of the same or different types due to the daisy-chain principle. Various functions for universal frequency measurement, RAM test, and fast Flash programming or control customer-specific instruments are provided as ChipVORX IP. Among others, the module provides a separate clock generator. As another unique feature, the ChipVORX-IP does not require specific design synthesis, i.e. they are ideally suit for adaptive debugging.

In addition to FPGA embedded instrument utilization, FXT-X90 can be applied as simple Boundary Scan I/O module with dynamic mode switch opportunity.

The new hardware modules are supported in all SCANFLEX Boundary Scan controllers as well as the integrated software platform SYSTEM CASCON. For over 20 years, SYSTEM CASCON has been the most innovative integrated JTAG/Boundary Scan development environment, hitherto providing 47 integrated ISP, debug and test tools for design validation, production test, and field service.

User can comfortably integrate the FXT-X90 ChipVORX Module in a respective test object, generate all required test and programming vectors fully automatically, and if necessary interactively debug and visualize faults at pin and net level in the schematic.

The usage of the ChipVORX-IP does neither require expert background knowledge nor specific FPGA tools or programmer. Prospectively, the ChipVORX I/O Module model range will be extended to additional Xilinx chips as well as further FPGA vendors.