JTAG server and sequence accelerator for multicore applications

A system, comprising:

• a JTAG sequence module configured to generate JTAG packets configured for execution by a target device in a multiple device scan chain;
• a JTAG accelerator coupled to said sequence module;
• said JTAG accelerator including:
• a sequence controller;
• and
• at least first and second memory devices communicably coupled to said sequence controller;
• and
• a JTAG output port coupled to said accelerator.

A method, comprising:

• (a) generating JTAG packets with a JTAG sequence module, the packets being executable by a target device in a multiple device scan chain;
• (b) receiving first JTAG packets associated with a first sequence, in a first memory device;
• (c) storing the first JTAG packets in the first memory device until substantially the entire first sequence is stored therein;
• (d) transmitting the first sequence via a JTAG output port;
• (e) receiving second JTAG packets associated with a second sequence, in a second memory device;
• (f) storing the second JTAG packets in the second memory device until substantially the entire second sequence is stored therein;
• (g) transmitting the second sequence via the JTAG output port;
• wherein said transmitting (d) and said receiving (e) are effected substantially simultaneously.

A method for emulating individual devices in a multiple device chain, said method comprising:

• (a) selecting at least one target device within the chain;
• (b) actuating a server having a record module;
• (c) creating emulation packets associated with sequences configured for execution by the at least one target device;
• (d) recording the emulation packets in the record module;
• and
• (e) transmitting the recorded emulation packets to an accelerator having a first memory device, a second memory device, and a sequence controller controllably coupled to the first and second memory devices;
• (f) receiving the packets at the controller;
• (g) transmitting the packets to one of the first and second memory devices;
• (h) buffering the packets within the one of the first and second memory devices until a complete sequence is stored therein;
• (i) retrieving a complete sequence from the one of said first and second memory device and sending the complete sequence to the target device, wherein the sequence passes at least one other device on the scan chain and is executable by the target device;
• and
• (j) during said retrieving (i), transmitting packets to an other of said first and second memory devices.

An article of manufacture for emulating individual JTAG devices in a multiple device boundary scan chain, said article of manufacture comprising:

• a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readable program code including instructions for:
• (a) selecting at least one target device within the chain;
• (b) actuating a server having a record module;
• (c) creating emulation packets associated with sequences configured for execution by the at least one target device;
• (d) recording the emulation packets in the record module;
• and
• (e) transmitting the recorded emulation packets to an accelerator having a first memory device, a second memory device, and a sequence controller controllably coupled to the first and second memory devices;
• (f) receiving the packets at the controller;
• (g) transmitting the packets to one of the first and second memory devices;
• (h) buffering the packets within the one of the first and second memory devices until a complete sequence is stored therein;
• (i) retrieving a complete sequence from the one of said first and second memory device and sending the complete sequence to the target device, wherein the sequence passes at least one other device on the scan chain and is executable by the target device;
• and
• (j) during said retrieving (i), transmitting packets to an other of said first and second memory devices.

Computer readable program code for emulating individual JTAG devices in a multiple device boundary scan chain, said computer readable program code comprising instructions to perform the following:

• (a) selecting at least one target device within the chain;
• (b) actuating a server having a record module;
• (c) creating emulation packets associated with sequences configured for execution by the at least one target device;
• (d) recording the emulation packets in the record module;
• and
• (e) transmitting the recorded emulation packets to an accelerator having a first memory device, a second memory device, and a sequence controller controllably coupled to the first and second memory devices;
• (f) receiving the packets at the controller;
• (g) transmitting the packets to one of the first and second memory devices;
• (h) buffering the packets within the one of the first and second memory devices until a complete sequence is stored therein;
• (i) retrieving a complete sequence from the one of said first and second memory device and sending the complete sequence to the target device, wherein the sequence passes at least one other device on the scan chain and is executable by the target device;
• and
• (j) during said retrieving (i), transmitting packets to an other of said first and second memory devices.

A system for emulating individual JTAG devices in a multiple device boundary scan chain, said system comprising:

• a topology module configured to obtain the topology of the scan chain;
• a selection module coupled to said topology module, said selection module configured to select a target device within the scan chain;
• an emulation instruction module configured to generate emulation packets configured for execution by the target device;
• a JTAG accelerator including:
• at least a first memory device;
• at least a second memory device;
• a sequence controller controllably coupled to said first and second memory devices;
• a server having a record module;
• said server configured to record the emulation packets in the record module;
• said server configured to transmit the emulation sequences from the record module to said sequence controller;
• said sequence controller configured to receive JTAG packets from said record module and send the packets to said first and second memory devices;
• each of said memory devices being configured to receive and buffer JTAG packets until a complete JTAG sequence is stored therein;
• and
• said sequence controller being configured to retrieve a completed JTAG sequence from one of said first and second memory devices and transmit the completed JTAG sequence to the target device while substantially simultaneously transmitting packets to an other of said first and second memory devices;
• and
• a graphical user interface (GUI) including:
• a user-selectable list of JTAG devices;
• a graphical display of the chain;
• at least one chain parameter field;
• and
• a session field configured for identifying at least one emulation session.