Even though SWD and JTAG have well defined standards, there are still several different size connectors and footprints that developers need to be able to support. It often feels like every programmer and every development board is using a different and incompatible connector and cable. In this post, I’m going to share with you the adapters that I keep in my toolbox to cover nearly any circumstance.
Adapter #1 – Tag-Connect TC2050-ARM2010-ND
(Image Source: Tag-Connect)
Usage – Used to adapt from a 20-pin IDC type connector (often programmer side) to a 14-pin IDC cable connector.
Comments – I use this adapter with my J-Link and J-Trace to adapt to the 14-pin IDC which I can then use with other adapters to go to board, IDC or other SWD connectors.
Adapter #2 – Tag-Connect TC2050-IDC-NL-430
(Image Source: Tag-Connect)
Usage: Adapt from a 14-pin IDC to 10-pin board
Comments: This cable is great for adapting any IDC cable based programmer to the custom Tag-Connect, small footprint board SWD/JTAG pad. You’ll find this type of cable on development boards such as the STM32L4 IoT Discovery Node.
This adapter does require a TC2050-CLIP to secure the adapter to the board.
Adapter #3 – SEGGER 8.06.00 Cortex-M Adapter
(Image Source: SEGGER)
Usage – Adapts a 20-pin IDC to the smaller footprint 20-pin Cortex-M connector
Comments – This is a good adapter for Cortex-M processors and boards that use the 20-pin connector.
Adapter #4 – SEGGER 8.06.02 Cortex-M Adapter
(Image Source – SEGGER)
Usage – Adapts a 20-pin IDC on a programmer to a 10-pin Cortex-M connector
Comments – This is the adapter that I use more than any other. This is because I use my J-Link Ultra+ programmer (IDC 20-pin) and most of the boards I work with have the 10-pin on-board to save space.
Adapter #5 – IAR ADA-MIPI20-STSWD6
(Image Source – IAR)
Usage – Adapt the IAR I-Jet to any STM Dev Board with a 6-pin connector
Comments – This is a very useful adapter when working with STM development boards.
Conclusions
These are just a few examples of the types of cables you’ll need in your toolbox to successfully connect your programmer to your product and development boards.
