Macraigor Systems announced the availability of J-SCAN Version 2.1, the newest release of its boundary-scan debug and programming tool. Version 2.1 of J-SCAN communicates to the target with a USB 2.0- and USB 1.1-compatible interface that runs in high speed or full speed modes. This gives a performance increase of more than 10X compared to the previous version of J-SCAN. Additionally, J-SCAN 2.1 has full support for serial peripheral interface (SPI) Flash programming, supporting those systems using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and other embedded devices. J-SCAN provides advantages compared to logic analyzers and oscilloscope probes, permitting designers to observe the behavior of the pins under a ball grid array (BGA) device in real time on their PCs.
The J-SCAN debug and programming tool also allows designers to manually place the pins to any logic state with a simple point-and-click of the mouse. Engineers can observe logic state transitions and instruction addresses sent and received across individual pins, providing an unprecedented level of visibility in debugging SOCs, integrated components and new board designs. The IC designer has visibility into and control of every pin. If the CPU is not yet available and the designer needs to program flash memory, doing so simply involves setting up the signals (address, data, enables), selecting a data file and pressing the PROGRAM button. The included USB 2.0 download cable enables programming times of minutes, rather than hours or days. Utilities to program FPGAs and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs) are also available. J-SCAN works independently of any logic inside the JTAG device, so no special firmware, code or logic needs to be installed. The designer plugs in the Macraigor usb2Demon interface, drops any type of integrated circuit (IC) device on the screen and presses the scan button. Instantly, all activity on every boundary-scan enabled pin on any device or chain of devices is visible on the PC or laptop. The J-SCAN manual is written in a tutorial style that provides users with not only the J-SCAN features and how to simulate faults, but also the fundamentals of boundary scan. No prior boundary-scan experience is required. Multiple J-SCAN video tutorials featuring a fully populated demonstration board are available online as well.
Pricing & Availability
Available for order now, J-SCAN is priced at $1,895 USD. The kit includes the J-SCAN debug and programming software, USB 2.0 interface cable, demo board, power supply and Getting Started tutorial manual.
