FTA Simplified - What is a J-Tag
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FTA Simplified - What is a J-Tag?by Sammy Satellite The term “J-Tag” or “J-Tagging” is frequently used in conjunction with the FTA hobby. This term refers to the Join Test Action Group (JTAG) which is a simpler name for the IEEE 1149.1 standard “Standard Test Access Port and Boundary-Scan Architecture”. If you are more confused than before, allow me to explain. The term actually has nothing to due with FTA, however, it does play a vital role as you will see. FTA receivers and other types of STB (Set Top Boxes) have complete computer systems inside of them, however, they use a different type of CPU than your desktop PC. Generally speaking your FTA receiver or STB is using a microprocessor from a company like ARM, Freescale, MIPS, Atmel, Infineon, OnCE, and so on. While your computer runs Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OSX or some other major operating system, the microcontroller in your STB also has an operating system. When you upload a new BIN file to your equipment you are basically updating the operating system. If you have made a mistake in that process you will no longer be able to boot your receiver. If you have entered this state, your receiver is essentially dead. Those of us that have done this more than once call this “Bricked”. Microcontrollers have a back door just for this type of situation. That “Back Door” is a standard way to access the internal parts of the microcontroller through a special device attached to specific pins on the cpu. If you haven’t already guessed, this standard way to access the guts of the Microcontroller is the “J-Tag”. Some Set Top Boxes and Receivers actually provide a direct cable to allow accessing the JTAG pins and some require a connection to be soldered using a soldering iron and wires. If your STB or Receiver has become as useless as a camel with a fishing pole, you may still be able to revive it. Once you have the J-Tag cable attached and the correct J-Tag software you should be able to directly upload a working firmware to the receiver and bring it back from the dead. For example, with a Pansat 3500 the steps are simple: Attach the JTag special cable with a cheap soldering iron while the receiver is unplugged. Start the freely available “jkeys” programs and turn on the receiver. The chip will be instantly detected and you can select the menu buttons. Select Erase to clear the chip. Next, select a factory boot loader such a B80 and click Program. Within about 4 minutes your Pansat 3500 is back to life. Locate the latest bin now that you have a bootloader and you’ll be back to Hogan’s Heroes in no time. or If you aren’t a member but you need the latest working autoroll BIN files and keys to get your receiver back up now then Sign up with N2News below: |
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