Difference between EDBG and J-Link (Serial Wire Debug) debugging and flashing

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anb8
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Posted by anb8: Mon. Aug 8, 2016 - 08:45 PM
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I am currently working on a new board design with Atmel SAM S70 Cortex M7 and I am trying to figure out what is the best way to program and debug it.

The development kit with SAM V71 has EDBG chip based on Atmel UC3 MCU. It's convenient because it can be directly connected to USB. However, its connection looks rather complicated and honestly I don't understand what all the SPI and I2C connections are there for.

Also where could I get the EDBG chip programmed and functional? I haven't seen it on Atmel's website at all.

 

On the other hand, there is the Serial Wire Debug protocol supported by every ARM. If I understand it correctly, I can simply use a debugger such as Segger J-Link and via 20-pin connector connect it directly to SAM. This allows me to flash and also debug the the SAM. Would it also allow me to print message to a console over serial port like EDBG allows?

 

What are other and main differences between the two programming/debugging approaches?

 

Thanks.

 

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Tools, In-System Debuggers and Programmers (ARM-related)
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alexru
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Posted by alexru: Mon. Aug 8, 2016 - 09:34 PM
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EDBG is using SWD protocol. SPI, UART, I2C and GPIO are there for the data gateway, also supported by the EDBG chip. For example, EDBG also appear as a standard USB CDC COM-port, which is nice for debugging. You don't have to use them.

 

EDBG chips are not available for custom projects, so on your custom board put a standard 10-pin Cortex Debug Connector and use any SWD programmer you like.

NOTE: I no longer actively read this forum. Please ask your question on www.eevblog.com/forum if you want my answer.

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alexru
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Posted by alexru: Mon. Aug 8, 2016 - 09:37 PM
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Also, EDBG IC is used inside all other Atmel tools (like Atmel-ICE and variants). They are cheaper than J-Link, but if you already have one then it is irrelevant.

 

And no, J-Link will not have USB CDC support.

NOTE: I no longer actively read this forum. Please ask your question on www.eevblog.com/forum if you want my answer.

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gchapman
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Posted by gchapman: Mon. Aug 8, 2016 - 11:47 PM (Reply to #3)
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alexru wrote:
And no, J-Link will not have USB CDC support.
There's SEGGER J-Link OB that's available to OEM (silicon manufacturers, board manufacturers).

SEGGER

The Embedded Experts

J-Link Debug Probes

Model Overview

Other J-Links

J-Link OB

https://www.segger.com/jlink-ob.html

J-Link OB is a single chip microcontroller "on-board" of YOUR eval board.

...

  • Virtual COM Port (STM32F072, SAM3U)

...

"Dare to be naïve." - Buckminster Fuller

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