Infineon XMC(tm)-Link And QuickFeather

Just received the $90 XMC-Link. The 0.05″ connector cable is ARM specific. The larger 0.1″ connector cable is XMC specific. As a bonus, it is DC Isolated, 1KV, so you can debug processors at different grounding points than your computer.

I plugged it into my Macintosh, ran JLinkExe that I downloaded from Segger. It offered to update the software, I said yes. It now identifies as a JLink-Lite. The page for this “product” is here: https://www.segger.com/products/debug-probes/j-link/models/j-link-lite/j-link-lite-arm/

The Web Page for this debugger is here: https://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/evaluation-boards/kit_xmc_link_segger_v1/

This was a gamble, as it might not have worked if Infineon put any connect startup code in it, which may have prevented it from connecting to the QuickFeather CPU. There were a lot of processors available for this probe to connect to, given by the selection GUI. (JLink code is written in Qt.)

If you select any processor other than Generic CORTEX-M4, there is a warning message that the probe is only for Infineon Processors. The JLink will then quit.

The J-Link had to be configured to select the Generic ARM CORTEX-M4 processor. Once that was done and SWD was selected, the probe connected and was able to single step the arm processor at the assembly level. It was able to reset the processor (although, the first time it went through a *lot* of options before it settled on a reset protocol).

Being an “XMC” brand probe did not seem to affect it for generic purposes (at the moment). The good thing is this debugger comes with the 0.05″ connector cable, so it plugged right into the QuickFeather board. The larger cable is for the XMC processor. Being an Infineon segger did not seem to affect the single step of assembly through the JLINK.

In addition, the old JLink-ARM V8 also connected to the Arm processor using the adaptor board I purchased for $25 from EBay. I could have created an adaptor board through Eagle, had it fabricated via OSHPark for about $15, waited for two weeks, and for another $10 to $15 I could have put the connectors on it. So, I saved many days of waiting and a painful debug in case I was wrong. Smoking CPU’s anyone?

So, for a “reasonable” price (since the EDU and EDU Mini probes are NOT available), you can get a SEGGER that can at least talk to the QuickFeather board. You must select Generic, and that option may be removed at some future date.

BTW, the QuickLogic QuickFeather is NOT listed among the supported companies or boards for Segger at large. I *had* to choose a Generic M4. So, for the cost gamble, it may have paid off, compared to $1000++. I will let you know as I find out more.

Fini

It looks like this is one option for you to possibly get an inexpensive debugger (if $90 is inexpensive) for the QuickLogic QuickFeather. I will see if I can use it to unbrick the board.

At least for assembly language, and maybe “in ram” programming this segger might be viable. Other debuggers will be tested later.

Enjoy!