Adjustable voltage boundary scan adapter for emulation and test

Abstract

An apparatus for emulating, testing, interrogating, debugging, and programming an integrated circuit is provided. The apparatus has a boundary scan adapter in association with a host computer for accepting a control signal from the host computer, and for generating an intermediate signal for acceptance by the integrated circuit which intermediate signal is compliant with the specifications of the integrated circuit. Also, the apparatus has an interface associated with the integrated circuit for accepting the intermediate signal from the boundary scan adapter. The control signal from the host computer has a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the intermediate signal which intermediate signal is specific to and compliant with the operation of the integrated circuit.

1 - 12 . (Cancelled).  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for emulating, testing, interrogating, debugging, and/or programming an integrated circuit an integrated circuit boundary scan interface comprising digital and analog means for converting a digital data stream from an input device to a variable voltage level for acceptance by an integrated circuit including means for selecting a voltage threshold for sensing the voltage level of the integrated circuit boundary scan interface and for converting the return data stream from the integrated circuit to a voltage level usable by the input device.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said data converting means further comprises means for selecting a voltage threshold for sensing the voltage level of the integrated circuit boundary scan interface.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said data converting means further comprises means for monitoring the voltage level of the integrated circuit boundary scan interface.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said data converting means further comprises means for infinitely adjusting voltage levels based on the voltage level of the integrated circuit boundary scan interface.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the data converting means further comprises means for infinitely adjusting voltage levels based on commands from an input device.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the data converting means further comprises means for adjusting the voltage levels to protect the integrated circuit boundary scan interface from damage in the event of power loss.