The TTTC Board Test Technical Activities Committee (BTTAC) is the successor to the Board Test Action Group (BTAG). The original purpose of BTAG was to identify a group of board test professionals to help bring back board test into the International Test Conference (ITC). In that respect, we started a process at ITC 2002 and 2003 that is gaining in momentum and which will continue thru ITC 2004 and beyond.

We also started an IEEE Board Test Workshop (BTW). The first two BTWs were run in conjunction with ITC 2002 and 2003 and attracted between 50 and 60 attendees. This year, we are continuing with the third BTW, separated from ITC in date and location, and scheduled for 12 - 14 September 2004 in Fort Collins. Visit BTW04 for more details.

A smaller board test workshop was organised at the recent DATE 2004 in Paris. This event attracted 27 attendees.. Visit DATE2004 BTW to download a copy of the Digest.

In addition, we have established an e-mail reflector and a message chat room that allows information on board test activities to be disseminated and also is beginning to work as a "has anyone seen this problem and knows of a solution?" informal Q&A "chat room".

We recently polled the members of BTAG (some 55 people at the moment) on the future role of BTAG. The basic question was "should we continue?". We received a resounding "yes" to this question with suggestions that the role of BTAG could expand in the following areas, at least:

• Provide a forum for emerging new problems, issues, solutions and concepts in board test, including:
  • Resolving issues with new Standards e.g. IEEE 1149.6, adoption of 1149.5 (why did it fail?)
  • Fostering the creation of new Standards (IEEE, JEDEC, etc)
  • Education e.g. the issues surrounding the new PICMG 3.0 Advanced TCA
• Initiate and nurture board and system test activities (papers, panels, tutorials, etc) at international events such as ITC, DATE, BTW, ATS (Asian Test Symposium), etc
• Keep on working with ITC PC and SC members to "bring back board test" by targeted solicitation of papers, panels, tutorials and help for the novitiates and neophytes.

These are the activities that will be fostered under the new BTTAC umbrella.

If you have questions, comments or just want to join this Board Test Technical Activities Committee, send e-mail to ben@dft.co.uk