JTag Adapters

JTAG is a standard way for hardware such as automated testers to communicate with IC (such as microcontrollers and FPGAs). Recently, many microcontroller vendors have added JTAG interfaces that allow you to program (and even debug) circuits from a PC with the proper JTAG adapter.

AWC makes two JTAG adapters that are actually parts of our CPLD development kits. The XCP1 (shown above) is equivalent to a Xilinx JTAG cable. We also have a similar board that is compatible with an Altera ByteBlaster.

When used with the CPLD kits, these adapters allow you to program the appropriate CPLD from your PC's printer port. However, there are many other uses for JTAG. Many modern devices from PDA and cell phones, to flash memory devices sport JTAG connections that you can use for configuration and test.

For example, the XCP1 can be used to program many Atmel AVR microprocessors. In fact, it can program the JTAG-capable parts via their JTAG port or just about any AVR using the standard programming port. In this mode, the JTAG adapter isn't really "speaking" JTAG, but it is just an interface between the PC and the AVR microprocessor. Many other processors (e.g., ARM) can be programmed or debugged via JTAG, as well.

Key Benefits

	Industry standard JTAG cables
	Works with popular software

Key Links

	Programming the AVR
	Using Atmel CPLDs
	Open source JTAG software
	Definitive information about JTAG (from TI)

JTAG is a serial protocol where all the devices are connected round robin. This leads to the notion of a device chain -- a series of devices connected end to end. The software will generally write to all devices at once (although some of the writes may be effectively "no operations"). Our boards interface your printer port to the device chain and allows software to communicate with devices on the chain.

If you have software that knows how to drive a Xilinx or Altera printer port cable, one of our kits will work. For example, the vendor-supplied software works fine. You can also download free software that will let you exercise the JTAG hardware. One popular choice is JTAG at http://openwince.sourceforge.net/jtag/. This software assumes you understand JTAG pretty well -- particularly if it doesn't support you device already.

Get it Now!

Note: XCP1 temporarily out of stock

XCP1 JTAG adapter kit $24.95 (Xilinx-compatible).

ACP1 JTAG adapter kit $24.95 (Altera-compatible).

Note: AWC acknowledges all trademarks and is in no way affiliated with Xilinx or Altera.