A new piece of hardware has launched by the Crowd Supply website in the form of the ctxLink, a wireless debug probe for ARM Cortex-M microprocessors, created by engineer Sid Price. ctxLink is an open hardware, open firmware debugging probe, based on the Black Magic Probe (BMP), that supports Wi-Fi connectivity and battery powered operation. Watch the demonstration video below to learn more about its inspiration, design features.
The ctxLink It is now available from the Crowd Supply website priced at $99 and implements SWD and JTAG interfaces for remote, cable-free programming and debugging of ARM Cortex-M micro-controllers. Price explains more about his new hardware and its uses.
“When connected to a battery or powered from the target, ctxLink brings remote hardware to your source level debugger, even in situations where a USB cable might be impractical. Whether you’re debugging a robotic system, programming a shielded device, working around an awkward enclosure, or hacking on a project that’s just a little bit too far away from your sofa, ctxLink can help you bridge the gap. And if your target is really remote? Like in another country remote? ctxLink can bridge that gap too. Just configure your router to forward incoming connections for the GDB server port to ctxLink, and your local debugger will gain access to the remote device.”
Usability
– Open hardware and open source firmware based on the BMP
– Uses built-in STM32 system bootloader for firmware updates
– Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux
Debugging
– Implements SWD and JTAG interfaces
– Supports a wide range of ARM Cortex targets, including ST, Atmel, Nordic, NXP, and others
– Includes a built-in GDB Server that can be used with a wide range of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)
– Supports a wide range of target voltages (1.7 V to 5 V)
Connectivity
– Supports USB and Wi-Fi connections to the host computer
– Wi-Fi can be configured using WPS or through HTTP provisioning with a smartphone
Power
– Can be powered from the target (3 V to 5 V targets only)
– Can be powered by a LiPo battery (not included). Has been tested with Adafruit’s 3.7V 1200mAh battery
– Battery can be charged through USB
– Can be used to power the target (up to 100 mA) regardless of whether ctxLink itself is powered from a battery or through USB
Source: Crowd Supply
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