JTAG Terminal Discrimination via Voltage Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inability to accurately discriminate JTAG terminals on a system printed circuit board (PCB) leads to potential system malfunctions or non-reactivity, as there is no information available about the terminal's pin-map, making it difficult to transfer the correct commands for testing or connecting a JTAG emulator.
Innovation Solution
A terminal discriminating apparatus and method that measures and compares pull-up and pull-down voltages of candidate terminals to determine their types, using a measurement unit, discriminating unit, and output unit to output the results, allowing for the identification of JTAG terminals based on their voltage characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If no pin-map information is provided for terminals on the system PCB, then the system can be manufactured with simpler documentation, but the terminal discrimination becomes impossible leading to system malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal discrimination apparatus enables the system to automatically identify terminal functions through voltage measurements without requiring external pin-map documentation. The system self-determines terminal types by measuring pull-up and pull-down voltages and comparing them against reference values, eliminating the need for manual documentation while ensuring accurate terminal identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes voltage parameters (pull-up voltage and pull-down voltage) as distinctive characteristics to discriminate terminal types. By measuring these electrical parameters and comparing them against reference ranges, the system can identify terminal functions without relying on documentation, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified manufacturing and reliable terminal discrimination.
2Device complexity
If JTAG terminal information is not provided, then the PCB design remains flexible and uncluttered, but accurate testing and JTAG emulator connection cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical/documentation-based terminal identification method with an electrical measurement-based system. Instead of relying on printed pin-map information on the PCB, the system uses voltage measurement and comparison to automatically identify terminal functions, thereby reducing PCB information density while maintaining identification capability.
3Ease of operation
If terminal pin-maps are provided through data sheets, then terminal identification is straightforward, but the system requires additional documentation management and external references
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal discrimination apparatus provides a universal solution that works for all terminal types on the PCB without requiring terminal-specific documentation. The same voltage measurement and comparison methodology can identify any terminal type, eliminating the need for multiple data sheets or external references while maintaining ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate discrimination of JTAG terminals, ensuring proper system operation by correctly identifying terminal functions and preventing erroneous connections, thus facilitating the testing of internal cores and boards and the connection of JTAG emulators.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement unit for measuring a pull-up voltage and a pull-down voltage of each of candidate terminals to be discriminated
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal discriminating apparatus and a terminal discriminating method using the same are provided. The terminal discriminating apparatus includes: a measurement unit for measuring a pull-up voltage and a pull-down voltage of each of candidate terminals to be discriminated; a discriminating unit for comparing the pull-up voltages, pull-down voltages, and the differences between the pull-up voltages and pull-down voltages for the candidate terminals to discriminate the types of the candidate terminals; and an output unit for outputting results of the discrimination of the candidate terminals transferred from the discriminating unit. The types of the candidate terminals can be discriminated by comparing the pull-up voltage, the pull-down voltage, and the differences between the pull-up voltages and the pull-down voltages for the candidate terminals.