What’s onTAP?
onTAP is a robust boundary scan tool that provides the user with a full set of development and test capabilities. onTAP is designed and organized in a logical manner, reflecting the natural progression of tasks related to development and test. The notebook tab order of the screens help to ensure the creation of thorough, accurate test solutions in a user-friendly environment.

How much time will I need to spend learning about onTAP?
onTAP will require considerably less time to learn than almost any other full-featured boundary scan product. In most instances, we can have a user up and running a standard interconnect test within an hour.

Why is onTAP so affordable?
onTAP does not require expensive, customized hardware to run. Instead, onTAP uses industry standard, industry tested parallel port programming cables. These cables are readily available from some of the most well-known and trusted names in the industry: Altera, Lattice, Memec, Xilinx, for example. The cost of these cables is low, yet the reputations behind them is high, which is why we opted to incorporate them into our product.

What hardware is required to use onTAP?
An industry-standard, industry-tested parallel port programming cable is all that is required to run onTAP. These cables may be purchased directly from the manufacturer. The following link offers information on where to find these cables: http://www.flynn.com/products/ontap/ProgrammingCables.php

Flynn Systems offers its own High Performance Cable that allows a user to test up to four chains simultaneously. In addition, Flynn Systems has an Expander Box that allows four cables to run simultaneously.

What files are required?
A BSDL file is required to run any tests. A board netlist is also required to test any interconnect and cluster tests.

What is a BSDL file?
A BSDL file is the “Boundary Scan Description Language” file, which is created by the manufacturer of the boundary scan device. The BSDL provides a necessary map of the device for anyone or anything trying to access the device. The file is usually provided with the device; however, this information can usually be found on most manufacturers websites.

What other filename extensions can be used?
bsd, .bsdl, and .bsm

What is a netlist?
A netlist is simply a map of the PCB. It describes what devices are plugged into the board, and the specifics of the device types. For example, if your board has ten devices on it, and only four are JTAG devices, any boundary scan test ware will need to know which devices are going to be tested, and which need to be transparent. The netlist provides that detailed information.