Category: Processor-Controlled Test (PCT)

I read a very interesting article recently making the case for programming PLDs and Flash Memory at In-Circuit Test (ICT). But there may be better alternatives - see what do you think...
One of our customers was experiencing field returns when 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports started failing to pass traffic at full line rate. How could they test for these failing boards in manufacturing and prevent them from getting out to customers?
Board bring up of an early prototype is one of the most important steps for a design team. The first boards must pass through a battery of tests to demonstrate that the hardware is rock-solid. Non-intrusive technologies can be used to accelerate this process.
Tired of that old bed-of-nails? Legacy In-Circuit Test (ICT) has been diminishing in value for a long time. Let’s explore some of the current technical issues with ICT as test access on new circuit board designs continues to disappear.
Those of you with a telecom background are no doubt aware of the “OSI Network Model”, also known as the OSI pyramid or stack. It is a way of sub-dividing a communications system into smaller parts called layers. A layer is a collection of similar functions that provide services to the layer above it and receives services from the layer below it. A decade ago, the telecommunications test industry underwent a revolution when platforms emerged that could cover multiple layers of the OSI stack. Now, the same thing is happening in the circuit board test industry...
Some of you may have noticed Intel’s announcement this past week at CES of the new generation of desktop/mobile processors, the 2nd Generation Intel Core family. These processors are based upon a new microarchitecture at a 32nm process node. This increased level of density and functionality requires new board testing strategies...
It is a well-known fact that manufacturing test strategies must involve a combination of inspection, structural, and functional test technologies in order to yield highest quality and minimize customer returns. But a new breed of non-intrusive, software-based technologies promises to disrupt legacy test solutions by guaranteeing the highest test coverage at the lowest cost. These technologies leverage off of the embedded instruments within silicon to achieve this goal in the following ways...
The new Intel® Xeon® Processor 7500 Series (codenamed Nehalem-EX) is truly a leap forward for Intel server technology and forms the foundation for high-end clusters and supercomputers for years to come. Read our free whitepaper that explains how to validate and test these advanced platforms...
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