# Serial Vector Format

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'''Serial Vector Format''' ('''SVF''') is a file format that contains [boundary scan](/source/boundary_scan) vectors to be sent to an [electronic circuit](/source/electronic_circuit) using a [JTAG](/source/JTAG) interface. Boundary scan vectors consist of the following data:
* Stimulus data: This is data to be sent to a device or [electronic circuit](/source/electronic_circuit)
* Expected response: This is the data the device or circuit is expected to send back if there is no error
* [Mask](/source/Mask_(computing)) data: Defines which [bit](/source/bit)s in the expected response are valid; other bits of the device's response are unknown and must be ignored when comparing the expected response and the data returned from the circuit
* Additional information on how to send the data (e.g. maximum [clock](/source/Clock_signal) frequency)

The SVF standard was jointly developed by companies ''[Texas Instruments](/source/Texas_Instruments)'' and ''[Teradyne](/source/Teradyne)''.  Control over the format has been handed off to boundary-scan solution provider ''ASSET InterTech''. The most recent revision is Revision E.

SVF files are used to transfer boundary scan data between tools. As an example a [VHDL](/source/VHDL) [compiler](/source/compiler) may create an SVF file that is read by a tool for programming [CPLD](/source/CPLD)s.

The SVF file is defined as an [ASCII](/source/ASCII) file that consists of a set of SVF statements. The maximum number of characters allowed on a line is 256, although one SVF statement can span more than one line. Each statement consists of a command and associated parameters. Each SVF statement is terminated by a semicolon. SVF is not case sensitive. Comments can be inserted into a SVF file after an exclamation point ‘!’ or a pair of slashes ‘//’. Either ‘//’ or ‘!’ will comment out the remainder of the line.

== SVF commands ==

* ENDDR: Specifies default end state for DR scan operations.
* ENDIR: Specifies default end state for IR scan operations.
* FREQUENCY: Specifies maximum test clock frequency for IEEE 1149.1 bus operations.
* HDR: (Header Data Register) Specifies a header pattern that is prepended to the beginning of subsequent DR scan operations.
* HIR: (Header [Instruction Register](/source/Instruction_register)) Specifies a header pattern that is prepended to the beginning of subsequent IR scan operations.
* PIO: (Parallel Input/Output) Specifies a parallel test pattern.
* PIOMAP: (Parallel Input/Output Map) Maps PIO column positions to a logical pin.
* RUNTEST: Forces the IEEE 1149.1 bus to a run state for a specified number of clocks or a specified time period.
* SDR: (Scan Data Register) Performs an IEEE 1149.1 Data Register scan.
* SIR: (Scan Instruction Register) Performs an IEEE 1149.1 Instruction Register scan.
* STATE: Forces the IEEE 1149.1 bus to a specified stable state.
* TDR: (Trailer Data Register) Specifies a trailer pattern that is appended to the end of subsequent DR scan operations.
* TIR: (Trailer Instruction Register) Specifies a trailer pattern that is appended to the end of subsequent IR scan operations.
* TRST: (Test ReSeT) Controls the optional Test Reset line.

== References ==
* The In-System Configuration Handbook: A Designer's Guide to ISC, Neil G. Jacobson, {{ISBN|1-4020-7655-X}}

== External links ==
* [https://asset-intertech.com/svf-the-standard-for-jtag-boundary-scan-testing-ebook Serial Vector Format Specification] latest version available - Revision E
* [http://www.xilinx.com/support/documentation/application_notes/xapp503.pdf SVF and XSVF File Formats for Xilinx Devices] specifies XSVF, a binary version of SVF

Category:Electronics manufacturing
Category:Computer file formats

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Serial Vector Format](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Vector_Format) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Vector_Format?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.