integrated jtag

Technical discussions around xCORE processors (e.g. xcore-200 & xcore.ai).
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Gothmag
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integrated jtag

Post by Gothmag »

Is there any way to get the xtag3.0 software, or preprogrammed chips? I'm looking to potentially do something similar to the start kit where you just plug in a usb to program/debug rather than the entire adapter. It would essentially be the entire xtag replicated but being able to cut alot of space out for connectors. If not, does anybody have another idea to do the same sort of thing or is a custom solution for connecting to an xtag needed if I want to cut down the board footprint? I would like to have the full XSYS header functionality.


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infiniteimprobability
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Post by infiniteimprobability »

The xtag software was kept on a public repo (https://github.com/xcore/proj_xtag2) until a few years ago when it moved to an xmos internal repo. I am unsure of the reasons why it was brought internal...possibly because maintaining something externally supportable is extra effort or possibly because of the potentially valuable features that were added to xtag pro.

It's worth having a look at the document anyway because the fundamental principles have not changed - the OTP holds a bare bones USB vendor specific class bootloader (which is VERY optimised in ASM etc. to fit in 8K, so not too friendly for external consumption) and the actual xtag firmware binary is loaded by the tools at first connection to the xtag. So the xtag binary comes built into the tools.

It may be easier to look at a custom connectors. This sort of thing looks quite convinient, https://www.segger.com/jlink-needle-adapter.html but if you need full xsys (with xscope, which is very handy) I think you'll need 10 signals + grounds.
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mon2
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Post by mon2 »

Hi. Throwing a nice contact (pun intended) whom we met at the Taitronics Show, Taiwan last October - they focus on POGO pins for production with an excellent line of products:

Join-Win
8F., No.101, Zhongcheng Rd., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City 236, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel: 886-2-22689089 ext:388
Fax:886-2-22681899
Mobile: 886-988388954(TWN)
e-mail: howard_chan@join-win.com.tw
http://www.join-win.com.tw/index.php

and another:

http://www.hktop-link.com/
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mon2
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Post by mon2 »

Gothmag
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Post by Gothmag »

The segger/tag-connect option might be a decent tradeoff considering onboard xtag would require an additional cpu and supporting circuitry. Would there be any issue with the extra wiring between the board and xtag3 adapter? Maybe it's worthwhile to just create a cable and test on explorerkit hardware.
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