Overview
The Sibridge Test Automation Framework (TAF) is a scalable and versatile platform designed to meet the reusability and customization needs of most semiconductor companies. It effectively addresses the pre-silicon, post-silicon and system level test requirements common to most system-on-chip product developments.

Architecture:

Sibridge TAF comprises of three major components: Scheduler, Controller and Report Generation. The Test Scheduler reads the configuration file and test case files to come up with a subset of test cases to be executed under a particular test cycle. Test controller is responsible for executing selected test cases, analyze their output and generate final result.

Features:

• Easy to scale, add support for new modules & test cases
• Single configuration for test setup & test case selection
• Provides test configuration details like module under test, module version, module flash image to be loaded, board to be used, and dependency check etc.
• Test selection based on functionality and regression level (quick/medium/full).
• Performs dependency checks (user-defined or standard), before starting the test.
• Advanced analysis module can verify almost any pattern in command output
• Result files manually/automatically uploaded to the database,
• Reporting module is capable of showing different kind of graphical reports
• Web-based Test Scheduling and Resource management
• Lab Management module to manage all your setups

SoC Firmware Testing Application

SoC contains number of on-chip peripherals and associated driver and firmware components like boot loaders, operating system and middleware components. This test framework along with stubs and test controller modules can be customized to test different SoC peripherals and firmware.

Using Sibridge TAF for SoC Firmware Testing

In the above setup, SoC Evaluation Board is connected to the Test Controller module of the TAF. A test controller for the evaluation board is capable of loading the boot loader and OS image into SoC and executing them. It provides user APIs to test boot loader and OS functionalities. Another test controller for UART can configure UART port of SoC using stubs and also verify the UART communication via Terminal Server.

This application demonstrates testing of firmware and UART peripheral. But it can easily be extended for testing of other peripherals or on-chip hardware components.