5. Alternative Interfaces

In addition to the standard connector interfaces provided with the STK and WSTK, there are some alternative interfaces that are availa-

ble, depending on debug needs and available space. The following sections outline these alternative interfaces.

5.1 Simplicity Debug Adapter Board Interfaces

The Simplicity Debug Adapter Board, when plugged into the two 20-pin connectors of the STK or WSTK, remaps these interfaces to

provide a sub-set of debug capabilities and features through a smaller form-factor connector interface. The Simplicity Debug Adapter

Board is available standalone with a 15 cm (6 inch) cable as orderable part number SLSDA001A.

For space constrained designs, Silicon Labs recommends the Mini-Simplicity Connector, a 10-pin (2×5) small form-factor (1.27 mm

pitch, 3.05 mm pin length) header connector (similar to Samtec part number FTSH-105-01-L-DV-K), on the custom hardware design.

This will mate with the standard 10-pin ribbon cable (Samtec part number FFSD-05-D-6.00-01-N) included in the SLSDA001A kit, con-

necting to the Mini Simplicity Interface Connector on the Simplicity Debug Adapter Board. To order the board, see Simplicity Debug

Adapter Board.

Note: ETM and JTAG functionality are not supported with this interface and are therefore only available via the 20-pin Debug Connec-

tor. Alternatively, JTAG is available via the Cortex port of the Simplicity Debug Adapter Board, which follows the standard 10-pin ARM

Cortex pin-out, as stated in Section 5.1.2 Connector Pin-Out (Cortex).

With the use of the Simplicity Debug Adapter Board plugged into these two 20-pin connectors, a 10-pin connector interface is exposed

(see mini connector in the right-hand image in the figure below), which provides a subset of debug capabilities and features in a stand-

ardized small form-factor connector. These capabilities include the following:

• SWD (Serial Wire Debug, including SWO)

• AEM (advanced energy monitoring)

• PTI (packet trace interface [WSTK only])

• VCOM (virtual COM port)

The figure below shows the Simplicity Debug Adapter Board.

Figure 5.1. Simplicity Debug Adapter Board

In order to take advantage of these capabilities and features, Silicon Labs recommends including the Mini Simplicity Connector in the

custom hardware design. Alternatively, if only serial wire / JTAG programming and debug capabilities are desired, a standard 10-pin

ARM Cortex programming interface is available through the Cortex port of the Simplicity Debug Adapter Board.

AN958: Debugging and Programming Interfaces for Custom Designs

Alternative Interfaces

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