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ASSET is First to Support Intel's New Nehalem Micro-Architecture and Tolapai SOC With CPU Emulation Test and Diagnostics

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 June 2008, 12:00 CDT

The MicroMaster system from ASSET(R) InterTech is the first CPU emulation-based test and diagnostic system to support Intel(R)'s new multi-core Nehalem micro-architecture as well as its new system-on-a-chip (SOC) technology, Tolapai. ASSET (www.asset-intertech.com) is the leading supplier of open tools for embedded instrumentation.

With MicroMaster, design and manufacturing engineers are able to apply powerful functional test and diagnostic routines to circuit board designs featuring Nehalem or Tolapai processors, improving the quality of the system and speeding the product's time-to-market. MicroMaster's CPU emulation technology takes control of a CPU or core and asserts structural and functional tests and diagnostic routines through the processor on other devices and buses on the circuit board.

"Many server, workstation, desktop and mobile system manufacturers have been eagerly anticipating processors based on the Nehalem architecture. We knew it would be important for us to get out there early and support them," said Alan Sguigna, vice president of sales and marketing for ASSET. "Since early adopters are already developing with Nehalem and the Tolapai SOC, they will be able to take advantage of MicroMaster and start developing structural and functional test strategies for their designs."

Next-Generation Processors

Intel has disclosed that Nehalem processors will have from one to eight or more processing cores as well as simultaneous multithreading of two to 16 threads per chip. Future Nehalem processors will include options such as system interconnects and an integrated graphics engine.

The Tolapai is a family of enterprise-class SOCs that integrates several system components into a single chip, reducing space requirements by as much as 45 percent and power consumption by approximately 20 percent compared to discrete implementations. Throughput performance and processor efficiency are also improved. The Tolapai integrates a memory controller and I/O controller with processing cores. Among the applications targeted for Tolapai are small form factor single board computers (SBC) for the communication and embedded computing marketplace.

MicroMaster and ScanWorks(R)

MicroMaster and ASSET's ScanWorks embedded instrumentation platform, which includes boundary scan (IEEE 1149.1 JTAG) structural testing capabilities, can help manufacturers identify faults early in the design cycle, improving prototype yields and accelerating time-to-market. And manufacturers can apply both CPU emulation functional tests and diagnostics, as well as extensive structural testing and diagnostics to production boards, substantially reducing manufacturing costs and improving quality.

In addition to Nehalem and Tolapai, MicroMaster supports many other Intel processors, including Atom, Centrino, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, and the entire Xeon family. Non-Intel processors supported include chips from AMD, Freescale, IBM, Marvell's XScale, TI's OMAP, ARM and others.

ScanWorks(R) - The Embedded Instrumentation Platform

ASSET, through its ScanWorks platform, is applying the experience it has gained from two decades as a leading supplier of boundary-scan test tools utilizing JTAG access to the development of open embedded instrumentation tools. The boundary-scan infrastructure that is embedded into chips and circuit boards is one of several technologies that can form the basis for an embedded instrumentation toolset. In recent years, ASSET has significantly enhanced its ScanWorks(R) platform with embedded instrumentation capabilities such as CPU-emulation functional test, signal integrity analysis utilizing embedded Intel(R) IBIST (Interconnect Built In Self Test) technology and others.

With its advanced automation, data acquisition and data analysis features, ScanWorks will continue as a leading platform for structural boundary-scan test. It has become the boundary-scan system of choice for practically all major communication and defense/avionics suppliers, including Cisco, Ericsson, Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent, Tellabs, Huawei, Raytheon, Rockwell, Lockheed Martin, BAE, ITT, Northrop Grumman, GE Aviation and others. In addition, ScanWorks' adoption by companies like Microsoft for its Xbox 360 video game console and Delphi for its automotive electronics demonstrates that ScanWorks will continue its leadership as boundary scan proliferates in computers, set-top boxes, consumer electronics, industrial controls, automotive and other industries.

About ASSET InterTech

ASSET InterTech is a supplier of open tools for embedded instrumentation to engineers doing design validation, test and debug. The ScanWorks platform provides automation, access and analysis tools in one environment. Users can quickly and easily validate and test semiconductors, circuit boards or entire systems during every phase of a product's life, including design, manufacturing/repair and field maintenance. In addition, chips can be programmed in-system after they have been soldered to a circuit board. ASSET's MicroMaster product line employs true CPU emulation technology to perform extensive functional test and diagnostic routines on circuit boards and chips, and to program logic and memory devices in-system at high CPU speeds. ASSET InterTech is located outside of Dallas, TX, at 2201 North Central Expressway, Suite 105, Richardson, TX 75080.

For product information, call toll free 888-694-6250, send faxes to 972-437-2826, direct e-mail to ai-info@asset-intertech.com or visit the company's Web site at www.asset-intertech.com.

Source: Business Wire

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