Eaton
www.xjtag.com
www.xjtag.com
1322
A test engineering team at Eaton,
led by Test Engineering Manager
James Diem, has over a decade of
experience testing prototypes and
production assemblies using
boundary scan equipment. Boundary
scan provides a fast and effective
means of testing devices like DSPs,
microprocessors, FPGAs and
memories in surface-mount packages
such as Ball Grid Array (BGA).
“Boundary scan testing can be highly
effective, especially if device pins are
inaccessible, but even well-known
test systems can be difficult to use
and do not easily allow updating of
tests or integration with a third-party
test program,” says James Diem.
“We found the solution to such
challenges after one of our design
engineers saw XJTAG being
demonstrated at a trade exposition,
and told us how easy it can be to
create applications, generate tests,
and subsequently modify test code.
“XJTAG has features that are vastly
superior to other systems I know. The
learning curve for new users is
dramatically shorter; one training
session with XJTAG gave me enough
knowledge to start developing simple
programs. Now, I can create a
complete test for a new board in a
matter of days, whereas other
systems can require weeks of work.
I particularly like the BOM and CAD
import features, the “Categorise
Devices” screen and the
pin-mapping capability, which
simplify initial test generation.
“Unlike other systems, XJTAG
makes it easy to ‘get underneath
the hood’ to update programs, and
also provides example tests that help
engineers learn how to get the best
from boundary scan.” James Diem
also praises other features of XJTAG,
such as its convenient ‘floating’
license, the large and growing library of
tests for standard parts, and the high
level of customer service provided.
“When I ask questions I have complete
confidence that my requests are
understood and that I will receive the
answers I need,” he comments.
Eaton is using XJTAG for testing
prototype and production assemblies.
For production, XJTAG is integrated
directly into systems running tests
that are written in C for Virtual
Instruments (CVI). The boundary scan
programs are first developed using
XJTAG’s XJDeveloper environment
and then embedded into CVI.
Engineers are using XJTAG for tasks
such as extending test coverage to
include parts connected to the
boundary scan chain such as
switches, potentiometers, LEDs or
logic devices, programming
microprocessors in situ, and extra
testing of production boards
undergoing functional test.
James Diem sums up, “We have
been working with XJTAG for over
a year now, and I can say that it
matches or exceeds the capabilities of
our previous system in every respect.”
“
XJTAG has features that are vastly superior to other systems
I know. The learning curve for new users is dramatically shorter.”
“
I can create a complete test for a new board in a matter of days.
The BOM and CAD import features, the “Categorise Devices” screen
and the pin-mapping capability simplify initial test generation. Unlike
other systems, XJTAG makes it easy to ‘get underneath the hood’ to
update programs.”
“
We have been working with XJTAG for over a year now, and
I can say that it does everything as well as or better than our
previous system.”
Eaton is a multi-billion dollar diversified power management company
with global presence and a history of innovation dating back to 1911.
Today, as a leader in power management products and services, Eaton
has in-house electronics competencies covering areas such as
industrial controls, metering, motor protection and communications.
XJTAG
® Delivers Better Boundary Scan Experience for Global Technology Leader
“
Familiar with the advantages of boundary scan, but frustrated by the limitations of well-known JTAG test systems,
engineers at industrial-technology giant Eaton have switched to XJTAG. XJTAG is fast and easy to learn, provides
convenient project setup features, allows control over test code, and enables integration with production test equipment.”
Company
Eaton, HQ Ireland
Nature of
Global technology leader in electrical
business
products, systems and services for
energy-efficient power management
Main
Power distribution and circuit protection;
products
backup power protection; control and
automation; lighting and security;
structural solutions and wiring devices;
solutions for harsh and hazardous
environments; and engineering services
Customers
Industrial, commercial and
residential markets worldwide
Employees 103,000 worldwide
Revenues
US$ 21.8 billion sales
Web site
www.eaton.com
opinion
James Diem
Test Engineering Manager
Eaton
CONSTRUCTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY & SMART GRID
COMMERCIAL & INSTITUTIONAL
GOVERNMENT & MILITARY
AVIATION & VEHICLES
ENERGY
MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRIAL
DATA CENTERS