Multilink
Debug Probe

PEmicro’s Multilink is a debug probe which allows a PC access to the Background Debug Mode (BDM) or JTAG interface on wide range of ARM Cortex and NXP®/STmicroelectronics processor families. The Multilink is available in two different configurations, MULTILINK_ACP and MULTILINK_UNIVERSAL, which have the same functionality and vary only by their supported MCU's. It connects between a USB port on a Windows machine and the standard debug connector on the target. The NXP & STmicroelectronics microcontrollers are supported via the multiple headers located under a flip lid on the USB Multilink. Ribbon cables suitable for a variety of architectures are included.

Watch a video overview of PEmicro's Multilink debug probes.

By using the USB Multilink, the user can take advantage of the background debug mode to halt normal processor execution and use a PC to control the processor. The user can then directly control the target’s execution, read/write registers and memory values, debug code on the processor, and program internal or external FLASH memory devices.

• USB interface from PC to Multilink allows for fast, easy programming and debugging -- with the ease and compatibility of the USB interface.
• Draws power from USB interface-- no separate power supply required (draws less than 1mA from the target).
• Target Voltage: 1.8V-5.25V
• Supports JTAG daisy chaining of multiple ARM MCUs
• Pipelined programming algorithms for some Power Architecture families that dramatically increase programming speed.
• ARM device support includes both the JTAG and SWD protocols
• Includes USB cable, Type A Male to Type B Male, 6-ft.
• Auto-frequency detection + trimming capabilities for HCS08 devices.
• Auto-frequency detection for HC(S)12(X) devices.
• Generates programming voltage on RESET line for RS08 devices.

Feature Spotlight:

PEmicro's UNITACMP Library SDK for ARM Cortex-M processors is free to download. This allows the user to create an application which can fully control the execution of an embedded processor via one of PEmicro’s hardware interfaces, such as the Multilink debug probe.

PEmicro's no-cost GDB Server for ARM devices (Eclipse plug-in) includes the following powerful features:

• Real-Time Expression View 
  This view gives the user the ability to view variables and memory while a target ARM device is running. Sometimes the process of halting the target masks a bug. Sometimes, in order to reproduce a particular bug, the program must be kept running while being fed a particular set of data. In those cases, having the ability to view variable values as they change without halting the target is a great asset.
• OS-Aware Feature Supports FreeRTOS 
  The GDB server will automatically detect the presence, type, and configuration of an OS by querying the application’s symbol table for identifying characteristics. Using these discovered symbols, the debugger can traverse the kernel’s internal data structures to enumerate the available threads and their corresponding execution context. This information is then used to dynamically populate the Eclipse views as the user navigates between the threads. Additional OS support is expected to be added soon.
• Single-Wire Output (SWO) Debug Tools
  By using NXP's MCUXpresso or PEmicro's plug-in for ARM-based GDB IDEs, users can monitor multiple variables and expressions in real time, use printf calls to be notified when specific events occur during the debug session, and use trace capture to log user-specified events and triggers. This allows much more insight into the operation of the user's code.

There are two Multilink models which offer the same features and differ only by the processors that they support: The Multilink ACP supports ARM devices only, while the Multilink Universal offers broader device support.

Note: Older revisions of the Multilink Universal (Rev A and B) only support Freescale/NXP ARM devices.

Note: Multilink support for NXP's MPC5xx/8xx, 68HC16, and 683xx devices is available on PEmicro's Multilink FX.

MULTILINK debug probes support PEmicro software and a wide range of third party IDEs. View a list of supported third-party ARM-based IDEs along with links to setup guides and user manuals where available. A condensed list is below

• PEmicro
  • Flash Programming Software
  • In-Circuit Debugger Software
  • GDB Server Plugin for Eclipse-based IDEs supporting ARM devices
  • Custom PC Applications (via UNIT SDK DLL)
• NXP
  • MCUXpresso IDE (setup guide, SWO debug)
  • Kinetis® Design Studio
  • S32 Design Studio for ARM (setup guide)
  • S32 Design Studio for Vision
  • S32 Design Studio for Power (setup guide)
• Partners
  • STM32CubeIDE (setup guide)
  • IAR Workbench (setup guide)
  • Keil MDK-ARM IDE (setup guide)
  • Keil uVision IDE
  • Infineon DAVE IDE (setup guide)
  • Mentor Graphics Sourcery Codebench
  • Cosmic IDEA

For a debug probe with high end features, high speed performance interface which can also supply power to the target, please see the Multilink FX.

For portability, stand-along programming, production programming as well as debugging capabilites, see the Cyclone LC and Cyclone FX stand alone programmer, test & debug interfaces.

The USB Multilink Universal includes a ribbon cable for connecting to ColdFire V2-4 targets, however the MCF5272 & MCF5206(E) devices will require a separate adapter cable (not included) to synchronize the communications signals (as these devices do not do this on-chip).

The Multilink debug probe is supported by development software from PEmicro, NXP, and many other third parties. PEmicro offers two models which vary only by the devices supported. MULTILINK_ACP covers a wide variety of ARM devices. Please view PEmicro's ARM device resource page for a list of all supported ARM Cortex devices. MULTILINK_UNIVERSAL covers the same as well as NXP 8/16/32 devices. Please view our available Flash Algorithms resource page for a list of available algorithms. Feature sets are the same for the MULTILINK_UNIVERSAL and MULTILINK_ACP.

PEmicro's Multilink Trade-In Program is a great way to trade in an old model Multilink ACP, Multilink Universal or Multilink Universal FX for a reduced cost for the new hardware. The program even has an upgrade from a current Multilink models to get the faster and more Advanced Multilink FX.