Main features

Device library/auto-categorisation

XJTAG 2.6 brings an update to the way devices are categorised in XJDeveloper. XJDeveloper can now use its installed library of devices to make suggestions for how to categorise devices. This uses information from the BOM and other information to make the suggestions. The user can then accept some or all of the suggestions.

Updates to the device library will be made available and automatically detected through XJDeveloper so long as the software remains in maintenance. It requires your customer support login to the XJTAG website – if you do not have one or have lost it please contact XJTAG Support. Likewise if you feel we are lacking support for particular devices in the library, please let us know.

New XJRunner Integration API

XJTAG version 2.6 has a new integration interface using .NET, and reworked LabVIEW VIs, which make it easier to integrate XJTAG into other test solutions or into your own programs. These new interfaces also make it possible to use formatted XJEase text output and to access the Layout Viewer.

XJDeveloper enhancements

In particular the Netlist Explorer has been enhanced. The window is now non-modal, which is to say that it can now be left open whilst other operations are performed, and other enhancements have been made to improve usability.

Chain Debugger

The output formatting has been improved and a debug option has been added to allow you to view the raw data returned from the JTAG chain.

Main features

Layout Viewer

New in version 2.5 is our Layout Viewer tool. Instead of providing a simple text netlist, you can use an ODB++ job exported from a CAD tool; this contains both netlist and layout information.  If you’re using an ODB++ job, then wherever XJDeveloper has the option to use its Netlist Explorer you can now also choose to view the layout graphically. You can also superimpose that layout view on a photo of the relevant side of the board if you wish to.

XJRunner users are not left out – when you pack a project which has layout information in it, you can choose to include an embedded version of the Layout Viewer, so that the user running tests can click on Connection Test errors and be shown the exact locations of faults.

Categorising Devices

XJTAG no longer requires all JTAG-accessible devices to be categorised before you can start running tests. This change in behaviour means you can dive much quicker into board bring-up. Don’t forget to finish the board setup properly later though – as obviously until you do you don’t get full test coverage.

Test Summary

XJRunner now includes a brief summary of the test results at the end of testing in an easy-to-read table. It’s a small feature but we’re getting lots of positive comments about it!

Usability Enhancements

We’re constantly listening to our customers about their experiences using XJTAG. Based on this feedback we fixed a long list of requested usability issues and minor enhancements. As always, we welcome your feedback on using XJTAG. Please feel free to contact us to let us know where you feel we could improve the tools.

New features

Version 2.4 includes support for Logic devices in the circuit. It extends the automatic Connection Test capabilities to test these devices when they are reachable from JTAG, and also extends the capability of XJEase so that it can drive pins on your Test Devices correctly even if that means setting up and driving logic blocks in order to do so.

We have also replaced the DFT screen with a new version, with clearer graphs and the ability to generate reports.

Output from test code in XJRunner and XJDeveloper is now much richer, and allows output in different colours and fonts, and now allows you to pop up a dialog box with text or request input from users.

We have also fixed lots of bugs and usability issues – thank you to those who reported them. Please continue to let us know when you find issues or if you have any ideas for improving any of the products.

XJTAG 2.4 does not run under Windows 2000.

Some of the changes and improvements we’ve made have meant that it is not possible to run version 2.4 on Windows 2000, and so version 2.3 is the last version of XJTAG you can run on Windows 2000. Since Microsoft no longer supports this operating system we strongly recommend any users to consider upgrading the PC.

The XJLink is the interface between your board and the XJTAG software, and this second-generation version has many improvements over the original XJLink – many of which will be covered in detail in future blog entries. The original XJLink is not being deprecated – it is still in production and ships with our standard development systems, whilst the XJLink2 is an addition to our product portfolio, and ships when you buy one of our systems with “XTR” at the end of the name.

In addition to the original XJLink’s features, the XJLink2 supports:

• 4 JTAG TAP connections can be made from the XJLink2 to your board
• Run Tests button – with XJRunner or XJDeveloper open, hit the button on the XJLink2 to start tests.
• Status LEDs – to indicate tests running/passed/failed
• Programmable I/O – pins on the XJLink2 which are not part of the JTAG signals to the board can be controlled during XJEase testing as well as during Test Reset sequences
• Two voltage banks – variable between 1.1 V and 3.3 V.
• Built-in Voltmeter capability on all I/O pins, accessible during XJEase tests
• Frequency measurement capability on all I/O pins
• Higher TCK frequencies – up to 166 MHz if your board supports it
• Adjustable termination on JTAG TAP signal

We will be issuing a full press release for the XJTAG XTR systems in the near future; in the meantime your distributor or local sales rep should be able to give pricing information or get any other information you need.

Development of 2.3 has mainly been driven by the design of the new XJLink2:

The JTAG Chain Debugger supports configuring the new pinmap used by XJLink2. The pin mapping is much more configurable for an XJLink2. This will be covered by future blog entries.

XJDeveloper is also capable of configuring the new XJLink2 pin mapping. As the XJLink2 supports up to four JTAG chains the JTAG Chain Screen has been redesigned to support this.

XJRunner supports running tests on an XJLink2 by pressing the button on the unit. If you have several XJLinks you can run through a batch of boards continuously. When one board has finished being tested unplug it and plug a new one in and press the button on the unit (or screen) to start testing the new board whilst tests are still running on your other XJLinks.

The XJEase language now has two new keywords to support the new features of the XJLink2. PIN_FREQUENCY will return the frequency in Hz of an XJLink2 PIO pin, and PIN_VOLTAGE will return the voltage in mV.

XJDeveloper has a new BSDL File Editor to view and edit your BSDL and package files. Like the XJEase editor it has syntax highlighting and supports code folding.

XJRunner has a new Analysis feature which gives statistics about the percentage of boards that have failed as well as Fault Trend Analysis which highlights which tests are more prone to fail. There is also a log file viewer to show the complete current log file as well as allowing older log files to be viewed.

On top of all this there have been literally hundreds of minor tweaks and usability enhancements. We are constantly striving to provide the best possible user interface to enable you to work more efficiently. As always we welcome any feedback about where you feel we could improve.