ASSET InterTech announced a new online service that validates the accuracy of boundary scan description language (BSDL) files. These files describe the boundary-scan characteristics of semiconductor devices.
 
ASSET collaborated with Agilent Technologies on the development of the service. ASSET will host and support the Website on an ongoing basis. Agilent previously offered an email-based BSDL checker, which has been used over 90,000 times by chip suppliers. The new BSDL Validation Service expands on its predecessor's capabilities and is available in an easy-to-use Web browser interface.
 
BSDL files perform boundary scan tests or programming operations on electronic circuit boards and systems. The files are used to build a model of the unit under test to apply test patterns or programming algorithms to it. An inaccurate BSDL file can cause faulty results when boundary scan operations take place.
 
“Before JTAG tests can be automatically generated, the engineer has to have BSDL files for all of the devices on a scan chain,” said Alan Sguigna, VP of sales and marketing for ASSET. “So the whole process begins with BSDL files. Anything we can do to help chip suppliers verify the accuracy of BSDL files will greatly improve the testability of printed circuit boards and systems for hardware manufacturers.”
 
The free service is available at www.asset-intertech.com/bsdl_service.
 
After creating a user account and password, a BSDL file can be submitted to the tool immediately. The tool retains a history of each user's submissions and, for a limited time, it will store the results of a syntax check and any test patterns that are generated. These outputs from can be downloaded at any time.
 

Uni-form epoxy preforms are one-part epoxy resins that are solid at room temperature.  When heated, they melt and cure, forming a seal that protects components from dust, moisture, oil, flux, solvents, conformal coatings and other contaminants.  Close tolerances on preform configurations, consistent pre-mixed ratios of resin to catalyst and consistent batch viscosity ensure uniform results. 
 
Can be dispensed at 200 to 600 parts/min. with little or no operator training.  Said to eliminate pot-life concerns and costly cleanup procedures.  Available in a range of shapes, sizes and materials for diverse applications.
 
Multi-Seals Inc., multi-seals.com

A 1 mm centerline Card Edge Connector meets the high performance point-to-point full duplex I/O Bus standard for PCI Express Architecture.  The PCI Express standard allows customers to reach the high bandwidth required by modern equipment.
 
Applications include graphics cards in serial bus applications, I/O client cards for applications requiring higher speeds than the popular PCI Bus, computers (both desktop and server) and telecommunications switches and routers.     
 
Available for all standard PCI Express slot sizes (x1, x4, x8 and x16); comes with plastic locating posts or metal hold-downs. Available in straddle-mount or right angle configurations and with three different tail lengths (2.3, 3.1 and 3.56 mm). 
 

Tyco Electronics, tycoelectronics.com

Quadrus Verifier is designed for Department of Defense (DoD) suppliers to verify the compliance of their Data Matrix codes as specified by MIL STD 130 L Change 1. The fully integrated unit measures the quality of a Data Matrix symbol against the criteria for symbol quality established in ISO/IEC 15415 and AS9132 standards.
 
Is the only ISO/IEC 15426-2 certified Data Matrix verifier, a significant breakthrough for DoD suppliers as well as automotive, electronics and aerospace manufacturers required to verify Data
Matrix codes applied to parts and components.
 
Unlike most bench-top verifiers that are mounted on stands designed for the lab environment, the Quadrus is a fully-contained, compact device that is easy to integrate into the production environment.
 
To ensure consistent results on the manufacturing floor, it has preset focus and illumination. Fully-enclosed illumination chamber is engineered to produce the illumination angles required by ISO/IEC 15415. Features compact, lightweight design and flexible mounting. No optical or lighting engineering experience is needed because no on-site calibration of optics or lighting is required. Factory-calibrated illumination and optics to ISO/IEC 15426-2 guarantees accurate verification results of every Data Matrix code.

 
Microscan, microscan.com