Corelis - Boundary Scan : Applying Boundary-Scan for Production Test

In detail... What is Boundary Scan? IEEE 1149 series Boundary Scan Applications What Boundary Scan Tools are needed? Applying Boundary-Scan Product Development Production Test Field Service

Production test, utilizing traditional In-Circuit Testers that do not have boundary-scan features installed, experience similar problems that the product developer had and more:

• Loss of Physical Access to fine pitch components such as SMTs and BGAs reduces Bed-of-Nails In-Circuit Testers (ICT) fault isolation.
• Development of test fixtures for ICTs has become longer and more expensive.
• Development of test procedures for ICTs has become longer and more expensive due to more complex Ics.
• Designer is forced to bring out a large number of test points, which is in direct conflict with his goals to miniaturize the design.
• In-system programming is inherently slow, inefficient, and expensive if done with an ICT.
• Assembling boards with BGAs is difficult and subject to numerous defects such as solder smearing.

The image below shows a typical production flow configuration that includes a boundary-scan tester that tests all the interconnects between the UUT digital components and performs in-circuit programming of all the CPLDs and Flash memories. Some test engineers complement the boundary-scan test with an ICT that requires simpler fixture primarily testing the analog components.

Typical Production Flow Configuration

Following the ICT analog tests, a comprehensive at-speed functional test is performed before the product is shipped. However, in many cases, test engineers are skipping the ICT test and moving from boundary-scan interconnect test to a functional test that includes thorough testing of the analog portion of the product. The following are major benefits in using boundary-scan test and ISP in production:

• No need for test fixtures.
• Integrates product development, production test, and device programming in one tool/system.
• Engineering test and programming data is reused in Production.
• Fast test procedure development.
• Preproduction testing can start the next day when prototype is released to production.
• Dramatically reduces inventory management – no pre-programmed parts eliminates device handling and ESD damage.
• Eliminates or reduces ICT usage time – programming and screening.

Production test is an obvious area in which the use of boundary-scan yields tremendous returns. Automatic test program generation and fault diagnostics using Boundary-Scan (JTAG) software products and the lack of expensive fixturing requirements can make the entire test process very economical. For products that contain edge connectors and digital interfaces that are not visible from the boundary-scan chain, boundary-scan vendors offer a family of boundary-scan controllable I/Os that provide a low cost alternative to expensive digital pin electronics.

next... Applying Boundary-Scan for Field Service...

Return to:
JTAG boundary scan home
Corelis products pages