New Jam Utility Supports JTAG-Compliant PLDs

Altera Corporation announced the availability of the new SVF2JAM utility for the Jam programming and test language that allows users to convert existing SVF files to Jam files. PLD vendors such as Atmel, Lattice Semiconductor, Philips Semiconductor, Vantis, and Xilinx support the SVF file format. This utility allows them to support the Jam language as well. By allowing vendor independence to any designer with a Jam player on his or her system, designers can pick-and-choose any PLD that offers JTAG-based in-system programmability (ISP) and SVF file support.

The Jam programming and test language is a vendor- and platform-independent interpreted language for programming devices via the IEEE standard 1149.1 TAP controller, commonly known as JTAG. The Jam language allows the specification of both the programming data and the programming algorithm in a single file. Once created, a Jam file contains all the information required to program a specific design into a targeted device.

There are two software components in the Jam programming solution: the Jam Composer and the Jam Player. The Jam Composer writes the Jam file required to program a specific design into a specific device. The Jam Player interprets the Jam file and programs the target device. These elements create a universal language and toolset that addresses all PLDs and all programming methodologies.