May 18, 2008 Richardson, TX (May 13, 2008) - ASSET InterTech (www.asset-intertech.com), the leading supplier of open tools for embedded instrumentation, has joined the Mentor Graphics OpenDoor Program in order to ensure toolset interoperability for embedded instrumentation applications. Through the program ASSET and Mentor will enable the exchange of data between Mentor's chip-level inserted design-for-test (DFT) structures, such as the JTAG infrastructure, and ASSET's ScanWorks platform, which automates, accesses and analyzes embedded instrumentation and DFT data.
"We are very pleased and excited that ASSET has joined our OpenDoor Program." said Greg Aldrich, director of marketing for DFT products at Mentor Graphics. "As the leading DFT tools supplier it is important to validate and ensure interoperability with downstream applications that our customers are using. The first objective is to validate the interfaces between the newly added IEEE 1149.6 support in our BSDArchitect tool and ASSET's ScanWorks platform."
Initial efforts will include interoperability testing for both the original boundary scan standard, IEEE 1149.1, as well as the newer IEEE 1149.6 standard that specifies a test methodology for high-speed, differential interconnects. Future work will enable ScanWorks to access internal test structures and embedded instruments inserted into chips with Mentor Graphics' DFT tools through JTAG ports at the chip, board and system levels.
"Users of EDA tools like those from Mentor are interested in boundary scan and JTAG verification because many of the chips they are designing will include core embedded instrumentation that will be deployed in design validation, test and debug applications later," explained Alan Sguigna, ASSET's vice president of sales and marketing. "These embedded instruments will be accessed by JTAG, so full compliance with all boundary scan standards is needed to automate, access and analyze them with tools like the ASSET ScanWorks platform. By working with Mentor Graphics our customers can take advantage of Mentor's market-leading tools and new embedded instrumentation functionality that is critical to manufacturers today."
ScanWorksR - The Embedded Instrumentation Platform
ASSET, through its ScanWorks platform, is applying the experience it has gained from two decades as a leading supplier of boundary-scan test tools utilizing JTAG access to the development of open embedded instrumentation tools. The boundary-scan infrastructure that is embedded into chips and circuit boards is one of several technologies that can form the basis for an embedded instrumentation toolset. In recent years, ASSET has significantly enhanced its ScanWorksR platform with embedded instrumentation capabilities such as CPU-emulation functional test, signal integrity analysis utilizing embedded IntelR IBIST (Interconnect Built In Self Test) technology and others.
With its advanced automation, data access and data analysis features, ScanWorks will continue as a leading platform for structural boundary-scan test. It has become the boundary-scan system of choice for practically all major communication and defense/avionics suppliers, including Cisco, Ericsson, Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent, Tellabs, Huawei, Raytheon, Rockwell, Lockheed Martin, BAE, ITT, Northrop Grumman, Smiths and others. In addition, ScanWorks' adoption by companies like Microsoft for its Xbox 360 video game console and Delphi for its automotive electronics demonstrates that ScanWorks will continue its leadership as boundary scan proliferates into computers, set-top boxes, consumer electronics, industrial controls, automotive and other industries.
About ASSET InterTech
ASSET provides open embedded instrumentation tools to the electronics industry for design validation, test and debug. The ScanWorks platform allows users to quickly and easily validate and test semiconductors, circuit boards or entire systems during every phase of a product's life, including design, manufacturing/repair and field maintenance, and to program chips in-system after they have been soldered to a circuit board. ASSET's MicroMaster product line employs true CPU emulation technology to perform extensive functional test and diagnostic routines on circuit boards and chips, and to program logic and memory devices in-system at high CPU speeds. ASSET InterTech is located outside of Dallas, TX, at 2201 North Central Expressway, Suite 105, Richardson, TX 75080.
For product information, call toll free 888-694-6250, send faxes to 972-437-2826, direct e-mail to ai-info@asset-intertech.com or visit the
company's Web site at http://www.asset-intertech.com.
