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ASSET InterTech is the world leader in Manufacturing Test and Hardware Debug Solutions for processor-based boards.

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Testing and Diagnosing Single Board Computers

Testing and Diagnosing PC Boards

This Application Example on Testing and Diagnosing Single Board Computers can be downloaded in PDF format.

The MicroMaster ("MicroMaster") processor board test solutions from ASSET InterTech can be used to test all types of CPU-based boards. This application brief shows how the solution can be configured to test a VME or CompactPCI single board computer based on an Intel® Pentium® processor or a Freescale™ / IBM® PowerPC™ processor.

 

MicroMaster Debug Configuration

In Figure 1 above, the tester consists of a host PC (7) with a Functional Test Controller Card (1), and a Processor Control POD (2). The tester takes control of the UUT's processor via its debug port (4). Once in control, test programs and diagnostics can be directed and sequenced under the control of the host PC. Additionally an I/O Emulator (3) is available, which provides the facilities to stimulate and/or measure activity on the board's I/O connector (5). Using this top-down and bottom-up approach full testing of the UUT (6) can take place in seconds, rather than minutes.

 

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MicroMaster Fixtured Solution

Figure 2 above shows an optional fixture, which can be used to automate the connection of UUT to the test instruments - ideal for high volume production test.

Figure 3 below shows how the tester's hardware components are configured for a single board computer application, and the following table shows the test sequence and program, which is run by the tester. Results returned are pass/fail, or pass/fail with full diagnostics to bus and component level.

 

Single Board Computer Test

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Test Name Test Sequence What it Tests
Power
  1. Power on UUT.
  2. Check key voltages using analogue test card.
  1. Soft on/off circuitry OK?
  2. Key voltages within range?
CPU
  1. CPU ID Check.
  2. CPU BIST Check.
  3. Take control of CPU.
  1. JTAG OK?
  2. CPU OK?
  3. CPU infrastructure OK?
General Bus
  1. Boot ROM Bus Test.
  1. Verifies all buses from CPU to boot ROM (i.e. host, hub, PCI, LPC, etc).
NorthBridge
  1. Register Test.
  2. Configure for normal operation.
  1. Verifies communications from CPU to NorthBridge.
  2. Verifies NorthBridge registers.
SDRAM
  1. Configure memory.
  2. Memory test for opens, stucks and shorts to all buses.
  1. Verifies all buses and DIMM connectors from NorthBridge to DIMMs.
SouthBridge
  1. Register Test.
  2. Configure for normal operation.
  3. Legacy functions (timer, DMAC, IntC, CMOS RAM/RTC).
  1. Verifies communications and buses from NorthBridge to SouthBridge.
  2. Verifies SouthBridge registers.
  3. Verifies PC legacy functions.
USB
  1. Register Test.
  2. Configure for normal operation.
  3. Data transfers to ITT’s USB card.
  1. Verifies SouthBridge USB registers.
  2. Verifies USB device presence.
  3. Verifies USB channel(s) communication.
SCSI
  1. Register Test.
  2. Configure for normal operation.
  3. Loopback test to ITT SCSI loopback card.
  1. Verifies SCSI controller PCI bus and registers.
  2. Verifies operation of SCSI bus lines.
LAN
  1. Register Test.
  2. Configure for normal operation.
  3. Transmit and receive packets at 10M and/or 100M using ITT LAN card.
  4. Optionally program MACID.
  1. Verifies LAN controller PCI bus and registers.
  2. PHY operation.
  3. Verifies connections from PHY to LAN connector.
  4. Verifies packet transfers to/from LAN.
Super I/O
  1. ID Check.
  2. Register Test.
  3. Configure for normal operation.
  1. Verifies communications from CPU to SIO.
  2. Verifies SIO registers.
System Management Controller (SysMgt)
  1. EEPROM ID.
  2. Temperature Sensor Check.
  1. Access to configuration eeprom.
  2. Operation of temperature sensor.
Serial
  1. Register Test.
  2. Loopback test of tx/rx and control lines.
  1. Verifies serial controller registers.
  2. Verifies tx/rx and control lines from controller to serial port connector(s).
Ext Keyboard
  1. Register and self test to keyboard controller.
  2. Generate keypress(es) using ITT keyboard/mouse card and verify keycode at keyboard controller.
  1. Verifies keyboard controller access from CPU.
  2. Verifies keyboard port.
Ext Mouse
  1. Register test.
  2. Generate mouse click(s) using ITT keyboard/mouse card and verify returned codes at controller.
  1. Verifies mouse controller access from CPU.
  2. Verifies mouse port.
BIOS ROM
  1. ID Check.
  2. CRC Check.
  1. Verifies access to boot ROM from CPU.
  2. Verifies boot ROM contents.
Video
  1. Run BIOS.
  2. Initialise selected video mode(s) and verify using ITT RGB check card or operator.
  1. Verifies BIOS boot.
  2. Verifies access from CPU to video controller.
  3. Verifies RGB ports.
PCI to VME/cPCI Bridge
  1. Register test to bridge.
  2. Configure bridge for normal operation.
  3. Bi-directional transfers to remote card.
  1. CPU can communicate with bridge.
  2. Bridge registers.
  3. Operation of bridge.
  4. Operation of backplane.

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