MicroMaster: Dead Board Debug

Debug Dead Boards using MicroMaster, based on processor emulation from International Test Technologies.

MicroMaster is able to debug dead boards because it doesn't need to boot a board in order to test it.

Most functional tests rely on a board booting before faults can be diagnosed. In the example below, the dead terminal could be caused by more than 50% of the board's buses and devices. The lack of feedback prevents any diagnosis of the fault(s).

However, when testing the same faulty board (shown below), MicroMaster has no problems giving a detailed diagnosis because it doesn't need to boot the board. Instead it takes direct control of the CPU and instructs it to set up and test all devices and buses, working progressively outwards from the CPU. Even if a device like the Boot ROM has failed, MicroMaster can still reach all other devices to test them. This allows all failing devices to be identified.

For a complete description of Debugging Dead Boards with MicroMaster, see this whitepaper written by International Test Technologies.