GigaDevice Semiconductor GD-Link Adapter User manual

GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc.
GD-Link Adapter
User Guide
Revision 2.4
(May. 2022)

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents...........................................................................................................2
List of Figures ................................................................................................................3
List of Tables..................................................................................................................4
1. Introduction...........................................................................................................5
2. Interactive mode and hardware connection.......................................................5
2.1. Buttons and LED ......................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Connecting GD-Link adapter with target board......................................................... 6
3. Offline programming ............................................................................................6
3.1. Tool download............................................................................................................. 6
3.2. Update user code ........................................................................................................ 6
3.3. Update firmware ........................................................................................................ 10
3.3.1. Update prompt type 1 ........................................................................................................... 10
3.3.2. Update prompt type 2 ........................................................................................................... 13
3.4. Auto-load signal introduction................................................................................... 15
4. Programming in IDE ...........................................................................................16
4.1. In Keil (Version 5.26 above) for programming......................................................... 16
4.2. In IAR (Version 8.32 above) for programming ......................................................... 18
5. Revision history..................................................................................................21

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List of Figures
Figure 2-1. GD-Link adapter hardware............................................................................................... 5
Figure 2-2. Schematic diagram of GD-Link adapter ......................................................................... 6
Figure 3-1. GD-Link adapter offline download configuration.......................................................... 7
Figure 3-2. Choose the GD MCU model............................................................................................. 7
Figure 3-3. Load the bin file ................................................................................................................ 8
Figure 3-4. Fill in the address ............................................................................................................. 8
Figure 3-5. Configure option byte ...................................................................................................... 9
Figure 3-6. Updata bin file................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 3-7. GD-Link adapter update file finished............................................................................ 10
Figure 3-8. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 1 figure 1................................................ 10
Figure 3-9. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 1 figure 2.................................................11
Figure 3-10. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 1 figure 3...............................................11
Figure 3-11. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 1 figure 4.............................................. 12
Figure 3-12. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 1 figure 5.............................................. 12
Figure 3-13. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 1 figure 6.............................................. 13
Figure 3-14. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 2 figure 1.............................................. 13
Figure 3-15. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 2 figure 2.............................................. 14
Figure 3-16. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 2 figure 3.............................................. 14
Figure 3-17. Schematic diagram of GD-Link auto load signals..................................................... 15
Figure 4-1. Debug settings in Keil.................................................................................................... 16
Figure 4-2. JTAG/SWD Port selection in Keil .................................................................................. 17
Figure 4-3. Flash programming algorithm selection in Keil .......................................................... 18
Figure 4-4. Project Options in IAR.................................................................................................... 19
Figure 4-5. Debugger settings in IAR............................................................................................... 20
Figure 4-6. Interface selection in IAR............................................................................................... 20

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List of Tables
Table 2-1. The working status of GD-Link adapter represented by different LEDs ...................... 5
Table 2-2. Pin function of GD-Link adapter....................................................................................... 6
Table 5-1. Revision history................................................................................................................ 21

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1. Introduction
GD-Link adapter is a three-in-one multi-function development tool for GD32 series of MCUs.
It provides CMSIS-DAP debugger port with JTAG/SWD interface. User can use GD-Link
adapter for online programming or debugging code in compatible IDE such as Keil or IAR.
Another important function is offline programming.
The objective of this user guide is to describe how to use GD-Link adapter to achieve the
above function.
2. Interactive mode and hardware connection
2.1. Buttons and LED
There are a button KEY1 and 4 LEDs on GD-Link. The button KEY1 is used for firmware
upgrade and offline programming. The LEDs are used to display the working status of GD-
Link. The Figure 2-1. GD-Link adapter hardware shows the position of KEY1 and LEDs on
GD-Link. Table 2-1. The working status of GD-Link adapter represented by different
LEDs briefly describes GD-Link working status indicated by each LED status. The specific
meaning of the LED status and the use of the button will be described in detail in the following
chapters.
Figure 2-1. GD-Link adapter hardware
Table 2-1. The working status of GD-Link adapter represented by different LEDs
LED
LED status
GD-Link working status
LED1
always bright
offline programming successful
flashing
offline programming
LED2
always bright
firmware upgrade status
flashing fast
USB connection successful
flashing slow
USB not connected
LED3
always bright
firmware upgrade status

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LED
LED status
GD-Link working status
LED4
always bright
power supply is normal
2.2. Connecting GD-Link adapter with target board
The Figure 2-2. Schematic diagram of GD-Link adapter and Table 2-2. Pin function of
GD-Link adapter shows the electrical connection relationship between GD-Link adapter and
SWD interface of the target board, according to the information, connect GD-Link adapter
with target board via DuPont lines or other connecting wires.
Note: It is recommended that the length of the DuPont lines not exceed 10cm.
Figure 2-2. Schematic diagram of GD-Link adapter
Table 2-2. Pin function of GD-Link adapter
GD-Link
Target Board(SWD)
Target Board(JTAG)
+3V3
+3V3
+3V3
GND
GND
GND
TMS/IO
JTMS/SWDIO(PA13)
JTMS/SWDIO(PA13)
TCK/CLK
JTCK/SWCLK(PA14)
JTCK/SWCLK(PA14)
TDO/SWO
---
JTDO(PB3)
TDI
---
JTDI(PA15)
TReset
NRST
NRST
3. Offline programming
3.1. Tool download
When using the GD-Link offline programming function, please download the latest version of
the PC tool GigaDevice GD-Link Programmer from the website
https://www.gd32mcu.com/cn/download/7?kw= and perform the following operations.
3.2. Update user code
Plug GD-Link adapter into PC USB connector, LED4 will turn on, which indicates that GD-

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Link is powered on normally. LED2 will flash faster when GD-Link communication with PC
correctly, and GD-Link will be enumerated as HID by PC, it indicates that GD-Link is working
normally.
First configure the offline download file, open GD-Link Programmer software, click tool menu
“GD-Link->Configuration”.
1. Configure whether to add read protection to the target chip after downloading code.
2. Select erase mode, page erase or chip erase.
3. Set the maximum number of programming.
Figure 3-1. GD-Link adapter offline download configuration
Then select the file to download, click tool menu “GD-Link->Upadata file”, and choose a
specific GD MCU model.
Figure 3-2. Choose the GD MCU model

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Next, click “Add”label and load the bin file, fill in the address of the target mcu to be
downloaded in the pop-up interface box. In this process, user can add multiple bin files
(supports up to eight files) at the same time and download them to different address ranges
of the target MCU.
Figure 3-3. Load the bin file
Figure 3-4. Fill in the address
If the MCU selection is the GD32W515 series chip, it will also support option bytes
configuration. The user can configure the option bytes of the target MCU through this interface.
If the configuration is completed, click “OK” lable.

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Figure 3-5. Configure option byte
After adding the bin file and configuring option bytes, click lable menu “Update”and "Yes" to
update user code.
Figure 3-6. Updata bin file

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Figure 3-7. GD-Link adapter update file finished
Complete the above steps correctly, presses button KEY1, then LED1 will flash at the moment,
it indicates that the GD-Link adapter is downloading the user code to target board.
If the user code is downloaded to the target board correctly, the buzzer will sound and at the
same time, LED1 will stop flashing and turn on normally.
3.3. Update firmware
When updating the firmware using the new version of the GD-Link Programmer, click tool
menu “GD-Link->Updata Firmware” first. There are two specific situations, please follow the
instructions of GD-Link Programmer to upgrade the firmware.
3.3.1. Update prompt type 1
1. When the GD-Link Programmer prompts that GD-Link needs to be powered off, click OK.
The prompt interface is shown in Figure 3-8. GD-Link adapter update firmware
situation 1 figure 1.
2. Then long press KEY1 to power on, when LED3 is always on, release the button KEK1,
and click the tool menu "GD-Link->Updata Firmware" to update again. The prompt
interface is shown in Figure 3-9. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 1 figure
2.
Figure 3-8. GD-Link adapter update firmware situation 1 figure 1