JTAG Emulator for Non-JTAG Chip Debugging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-JTAG compatible chips pose a challenge as they cannot connect to the JTAG interface, making it difficult to access their non-JTAG pins during or after manufacture for programming or debugging.

Innovation Solution

A digital communication interface emulator is provided, comprising a JTAG library module and a JTAG driver module, which enables communication with non-JTAG chips by using a JTAG compatible chip to transmit data via a UART communication protocol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a non-JTAG chip is used, then the chip can operate with non-JTAG communication protocols, but the non-JTAG pins become difficult to access during or after manufacture for programming or debugging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication protocol compatibilityVSAvoidaccessibility of programming pins

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a JTAG-compatible intermediary chip that acts as a mediator between the JTAG interface and the non-JTAG target chip. This intermediary chip has both JTAG pins for interface compatibility and non-JTAG pins for communicating with the target chip, thereby solving the accessibility problem while maintaining protocol versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a functional copy of the communication interface by using a JTAG-compatible chip that replicates the communication capabilities needed for the non-JTAG target chip, allowing standard JTAG tools to interact with the target chip through the intermediary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If a JTAG interface is used for multiple chips, then debugging and programming capability is improved, but the solution cannot be applied to non-JTAG compatible chips

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging and programming capabilityVSAvoidchip compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal solution by designing a system where a JTAG-compatible chip can serve multiple functions: it acts as a direct interface for JTAG chips and as an intermediary for non-JTAG chips, thereby achieving multi-functionality and broad chip compatibility through the same JTAG interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250156204A1Digital communication interface emulator

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 BE AEROSPACE INC

AI summary

A digital communication interface emulator for a platform, the digital communication interface emulator comprising: a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) library module configured to produce JTAG data, wherein the JTAG data comprises communication instructions; and a JTAG driver module configured to transmit the JTAG data to a JTAG compatible chip, the JTAG compatible chip connected to a target chip via a JTAG communication pin of the JTAG compatible chip and a target communication pin of the target chip, wherein the communication instructions are configured to cause the JTAG compatible chip to communicate with the target chip via the JTAG communication pin, such that the platform can communicate with the target chip via the digital communication interface emulator and the JTAG compatible chip.