Using remote update controller of FPGA´s as built-in self test for embedded systems

This paper is an approach of a reliable built-in self test (BIST) on FPGA based embedded systems (e.g. digital TV receivers, compact head-ends, etc.), which could easily be executed by consumers. The proposed technology is quite similar to boundary scan testing via JTAG-Interface, which is a well-established method during production to find hardware errors on a circuit design at an early stage during the manufacturing process. In contrast to boundary scan the BIST is implemented as a part of factory image in state of the art FPGA´s and could be activated by graphical user interface. Since the factory image part of the firmware will never be updated by consumers, the BIST is always available even if a previous application firmware update has been failed. This offers a comfortable customer service, because in case of any support questions hardware errors could be excluded before complex assistance for configurations and firmware updates begins.