Nuvoton Nu-Link Series User manual

Nuvoton Nu-Link Debug Adapter User Manual
Oct 24, 2019 - 1 - Revision V1.01
Nuvoton Nu-Link
Debug Adapter User Manual
The information described in this document is the exclusive intellectual property of
Nuvoton Technology Corporation and shall not be reproduced without permission from Nuvoton.
Nuvoton is providing this document only for reference purposes of NuMicro microcontroller based system
design. Nuvoton assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
All data and specifications are subject to change without notice.
For additional information or questions, please contact: Nuvoton Technology Corporation.
www.nuvoton.com

Nuvoton Nu-Link Debug Adapter User Manual
Oct 24, 2019 - 2 - Revision V1.01
Table of Contents
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................. 3
2HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Nu-Link-Pro ........................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Nu-Link .................................................................................................................................. 5
2.3 Nu-Link-Me............................................................................................................................ 5
2.4 Nu-Link2-Me.......................................................................................................................... 6
2.5 Nu-Link Adapter Hardware Specifications ............................................................................ 7
3MAIN FUNCTIONS ........................................................................................................................ 10
3.1 Debugging ........................................................................................................................... 11
3.1.1 Debug Mode...................................................................................................................11
3.1.2 Breakpoints ....................................................................................................................11
3.1.3 Direct Register Control Interface ....................................................................................11
3.1.4 Semihost ........................................................................................................................13
3.2 Programming....................................................................................................................... 14
3.2.1 Online Programming.......................................................................................................14
3.2.2 Offline Programming.......................................................................................................14
3.2.3 Software Serial Number (SN).........................................................................................15
3.3 Wide Voltage Programming ................................................................................................ 16
3.4 Installing the Nu-Link Adapter Driver................................................................................... 16
4INSTALLATION AND SETUP........................................................................................................ 17
4.1 Connecting to the Nu-Link Adapter..................................................................................... 17
4.2 Software Setup.................................................................................................................... 18
4.2.1 ICP Tool .........................................................................................................................18
4.2.2 Keil MDK ........................................................................................................................21
4.2.3 IAR EWARM...................................................................................................................24
4.2.4 NuEclipse GCC ..............................................................................................................28
5+APPENDIX................................................................................................................................... 31
5.1 Nu-Link Adapter Operating Current..................................................................................... 31
5.2 Automatic IC Programming System .................................................................................... 31
5.2.1 Waveform........................................................................................................................32
6REVISION HISTORY..................................................................................................................... 33

Nuvoton Nu-Link Debug Adapter User Manual
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1 Introduction
Nuvoton’s Nu-Link Debug Adapter is an USB debugger and programmer based on the SWD (Serial
Wire Debug) signal interface and can be applied to the development of Nuvoton NuMicro®Family
chips. As shown in Table 2-1, there are four types of the Nu-Link Debug Adapter in accordance with
different specifications, including Nu-Link-Pro, Nu-Link, Nu-Link-Me and Nu-Link2-Me. The four types
are called “Nu-Link Adapter” in general if no specific conditions are mentioned.
The Nu-Link Adapter supports ICP (In-Circuit Programming) based on the SWD (Serial Wire Debug)
signal interface. The user can employ the NuMicro®ICP Programming Tool to update chip firmware
for mass production. The Nu-Link Adapter also supports the third-party development tools, such as
Keil MDK, IAR EWARM, and NuEclipse GCC.
For simplicity and clarity, parts of specific terms in this user manual are contracted or abbreviated, as
listed in the following table.
Short Name
Full Name
Nu-Link Adapter
Nuvoton Nu-Link Debug Adapter
NuMicro®Family
Nuvoton NuMicro®Family
ICP Tool
Nuvoton NuMicro®ICP Programming Tool
Keil MDK
Keil ARM RealView Microcontroller Development Kit (MDK-ARM® )
IAR EWARM
IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM
NuEclipse GCC
NuEclipse Integrated Development Environment
SWD
Serial Wire Debug
ICP
In-Circuit Programming

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2 Hardware Specifications
The Nu-Link Adapter provides an USB connector and a SWD signal interface for connecting to the
target chip. The user can connect the Nu-Link Adapter to an USB port of a PC to debug and program
target chips through the development software tools. As shown in Table 2-1, there are three
specifications for the Nu-Link Adapter, in which debugging, Online/Offline Programming, and SWD I/O
voltage settings may be supported depending on the specifications (refer to the +Appendix for details).
Table 2-1 Nu-Link Adapter Function Comparison
Type
Function
Nu-Link-Pro
Nu-Link
Nu-Link-Me
Nu-Link2-Me
Debugging
✔
✔
✔
✔
Online
Programming
✔
✔
✔
✔
Offline
Programming
✔
✔
✔
Multi SWD I/O
Voltage
✔
✔*1
✔*2
SWD I/O
Voltage Support
1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V,
5.0V
5.0V
3.3V (default),
5.0V
1.8V, 3.3V
(default) , 5.0V(*3)
Control Bus*4
✔
Virtual COM
✔*5
✔
*1 Adjusted by resistor JPR1.
*2Adjusted by resistor ICEJPR1.
*3 The input supports 1.8V~5V, and the output only supports 1.8V~3.3V.
*4 The Nu-Link2-Me can be connected to a automatic IC programming system through the control bus.
Control Bus for IC Programmer(Start, Busy, Pass, Fail) .
*5 Virtual COM is supported in versions later than V3.0.
2.1 Nu-Link-Pro
The Nu-Link-Pro is a full-functional debugger and programmer with debugging, online/offline
programming, and SWD I/O voltage setting functions. As shown in Figure 2-1, the Nu-Link-Pro
includes an USB port that can be connected to a computer host, a set of Status LEDs, an offline
programming button, a SWD port that can be connected to a target chip for debugging and
programming (the voltage level of the SWD port can be adjusted through software as 1.8V, 2.5V,
3.3V, or 5.0V), a set of SWD I/O voltage LEDs and SWD Power Output LEDs.

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SWD
USB
Offline Programming Button SWD Power Output LED
SWD I/O Voltage LED
(1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V / 5.0V) Status LED
(ICE / ICP / Red / Green)
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
ICE_DAT
ICE_CLK
/RESET
VSS(GND)
VCC
Figure 2-1 Nu-Link-Pro Configuration
2.2 Nu-Link
The Nu-Link is a basic debugger and programmer with debugging and online/offline programming
functions. As shown in Figure 2-2, the Nu-Link includes an USB port that can be connected to a
computer host, a set of Status LEDs, an offline programming button, and a SWD port that can be
connected to a target chip for debugging and programming (the default voltage of the SWD port as
5.0V).
SWD
USB
Offline Programming Button
Green
Red
ICP
ICE
Status LED
Figure 2-2 Nu-Link Configuration
2.3 Nu-Link-Me
The Nu-Link-Me is a simple debugger and programmer with debugging and online programming
functions, which is only shipped with the NuTiny-SDK kits and can be used stand-alone for developing
the customized NuMicro®Family system.As shown in Figure 2-3, the Nu-Link-Me includes an USB
port that can be connected to a computer host, a set of Status LEDs, a Power Switch to switch the
voltage of Nu-Link-Me between 3.3V and 5.0V (the default as 3.3V), a SWD port that can be
connected to a target chip for debugging and programming (whose voltage is adjustable with the Nu-
Link-Me).

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SWD
USB
Status LED
(ICE / ICP / Red / Green)
Virtual COM Switch
ICE_DAT
ICE_CLK
/RESET
VSS(GND)
VCC
ICE_TX
ICE_RX
Figure 2-3 Nu-Link-Me Configuration
2.4 Nu-Link2-Me
The Nu-Link2-Me is a simple debugger and programmer with debugging and online programming
functions, which is only shipped with the Nu-Maker kits and can be used stand-alone for developing
the customized NuMicro®Family system,that supports on-line programming and debugging through
SWD interface. The on-board 16 Mbit SPI Flash allows it able to off-line programming the target
microcontroller. Nu-Link2-Me provides virtual COM port (VCOM) function to print out messages on
PC. Nu-Link2-Me can be separated from NuMaker, allowing user to use as a mass production
programming tool. Figure 2-4 shows the main components and connectors from the front side and
Figure 2-5 from the rear side of Nu-Link2-Me.
Figure 2-4 Front View of Nu-Link2-Me Configuration
SWD
USB
Status LED
(ICE / ICP / Red / Green)
VIrtual COM Switch
ICE SW
ICE_DAT
ICE_CLK
/RESET
VSS(GND)
VCC BUSY
START
ICE_RX/Pass
ICE_TX/Fail

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MCUVCC
Power Switch
ICEVCC
Power Switch
Figure 2-5 Rear View of Nu-Link2-Me Configuration
2.5 Nu-Link Adapter Hardware Specifications
The Nu-Link Adapter hardware comparison is shown in Table 2-2.
Table 2-2 Nu-Link Adapter Hardware Comparison
Device
Description
Nu-Link-Pro
Nu-Link
Nu-Link-Me
Nu-Link2-Me
USB
Connected to an USB port of a PC to use
the Nu-Link Adapter or download offline
programming firmware
✔
✔
✔
✔
SWD
Connected to the target chip for
debugging and programming
✔
✔
✔
✔
Status LED
Display the operation status of the Nu-
Link Adapter
✔
✔
✔
✔
Offline Programming Button
Click this button to proceed with offline
programming
✔
✔
✔
SWD Power Output LED
Display the power output status of SWD
VCC pins
✔
SWD I/O Voltage LED
Display the SWD VCC and I/O voltage
✔
Power Switch
Power switch between the power output
of the Nu-Link-Me power (e.g. between
the SWD VCC and I/O pins)
✔*1
✔*2
*1Only supported in parts of the version( Support 5V and 3.3V can be adjusted through resistor JPR1).

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*2Nu-Link2-Me.
MCUVCC Power Switch (ICEJPR1)
ICEVCC Power Switch (ICEJPR2)
Table 2-3 SWD I/O Voltage LEDs and SWD Power Output LEDs Status List
Power Status
Target System Power
SWD Power Output
LED
SWD I/O Voltage LED
1.8V
2.5V
3.3V
5.0V
SWD port I/O and VCC voltage as 1.8V
-
On
On
-
-
-
SWD port I/O and VCC voltage as 2.5V
-
On
On
On
-
-
SWD port I/O and VCC voltage as 3.3V
-
On
On
On
On
-
SWD port I/O and VCC voltage as 5.0V
-
On
On
On
On
On
SWD port I/O voltage as 1.8V
✔(1.8V)
-
On
-
-
-
SWD port I/O voltage as 2.5V
✔(2.5V)
-
On
On
-
-
SWD port I/O voltage as 3.3V
✔(3.3V)
-
On
On
On
-
SWD port I/O voltage as 5.0V
✔(5.0V)
-
On
On
On
On
Table 2-4 Status LEDs Difference List
Nu-Link Adapter Operation Status
Status LED
ICE
ICP
Red
Green
Boot
Flash×3
Flash×3
Flash×3
Flash×3
One Nu-Link Adapter selected to connect
Flash×4
Flash×4
Flash×4
On
ICE Online (Not connected with a target chip)
On
Any
-
-
ICE Online (Connected with a target chip)
On
Any
-
On
ICE Online (Failed to connect with a target chip)
On
Any
Flash
On
During Offline Programming
-
On
-
Flash
Slowly
Offline Programming Completed
On
-
-
-

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Offline Programming Completed (Auto mode)
On
On
-
-
Offline Programming Failed
On
Flash
-
-

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3 Main Functions
The Nu-Link Adapter provides complete debugging and programming functions for NuMicro®Family
and supports a number of third-party development tools. The detailed function support is listed in
Table 3-1.
Table 3-1Nu-Link Adapter Functions
Software
Function
ICP Tool
Keil
MDK
IAR
EWARM
NuEclipse
GCC
Debugging
✔
✔
✔
Breakpoints
✔
✔
✔
Direct Register Control Interface
✔
✔
✔*1
Semihost
✔
✔
✔
Online Programming
✔
✔
✔
✔
Offline Programming*2
✔
Software Serial Number
✔
Wide Voltage Programming*3
✔
✔
✔
Multi Nu-Link Adapter Support
✔
✔
✔
Nu-Link Adapter Driver Installation
✔
✔
*1 Core registers view is supported; peripherals view is not supported.
*2Supported for Nu-Link, Nu-Link-Pro and Nu-Link2-Me.
*3Supported for Nu-Link-Pro.