GÖPEL electronic Develops X-BUS

Reading time ( words)

GÖPEL electronic has developed X-BUS, a new technology for the universal emulation of serial bus interfaces for use in electronics development and production. As a component of the SYSTEM CASCON software, the X-BUS technology enables a purely software-supported definition of bus protocols. This means that less hardware is required for embedded testing and programming.

Modern test and programming systems are always faced with the challenge of controlling a wide variety of bus interfaces (e.g. serial bus interfaces such as SPI, I²C, JTAG or SWD). In addition, these buses can exist in a wide variety of configuration levels and modes, which further intensifies the problem. For bus communication, the test and programming systems have to have corresponding hardware control units, so-called controllers. The type and number of controllers change constantly depending on the target devices connected. The newly developed X-BUS method addresses this problem and enables flexible control of a wide variety of bus interfaces on the basis of a single control unit. The flexibility of the virtually universal controller is ensured by a specific emulation procedure in conjunction with programmable hardware. This enables highly dynamic switching between diverse bus protocols without time-consuming re-initialisation or hardware reconfiguration. 

With a reduced hardware effort, however, the workflow for use remains constantly identical, independent of the actual protocol. Particularly valuable for the user is the possibility to define own protocol sequences via the so-called X-BUS scripting and to port them to compatible test and programming systems without restrictions or licensing and independent of the system supplier. This considerably increases the degree of freedom for the user and also reduces costs. In addition, performance-optimised and protocol-specific predesigned IP (intellectual property) with the corresponding command scope is also available. Based on the features mentioned, highly flexible test and programming systems with maximum performance can be realised at reduced costs and with a high degree of freedom for the user.

The X-BUS method is fully integrated into the GÖPEL electronic software platform SYSTEM CASCON and compatible with the hardware controllers SCANFLEX II and SCANBOOSTER II.

03/20/2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

When Canadian artificial intelligence company Darwin AI was founded in 2017, machine learning and deep learning were still relatively new terms. In the past five years, CEO Sheldon Fernandez and his team have been working with this technology to develop some foundational IP to simplify implementation. About a year ago, Sheldon took a “part happenstance, part deliberate” opportunity to develop a vertical offering for EMS manufacturing. Here’s what happened.

12/28/2022 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007

Pete Starkey talks with Kevin Domancich at Essemtec at electronica 2022 about the company integration within Nano Dimension and how the two companies have pioneered an exciting new end-to-end manufacturing solution that helps customers speed up production, cut costs, and keep their proprietary materials secure. In a world where time to market has become a priority consideration, this universal system has the potential to revolutionize the industry.

11/08/2022 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

The message can’t be emphasized enough: Producing IC substrates overseas weakens America’s position and national security. In this frank discussion with Will Marsh, president of PCBAA, he talks about his efforts to educate government policymakers on the dire need to consider the entire microelectronics ecosystem. There’s power in numbers, Will says, and he sees the association’s efforts making a difference.