NXP Semiconductors today introduced 鈥� the first standalone debug adapter of its kind, which can link a variety of popular IDEs (integrated development environments) to any microcontroller development board. The LPCXpresso-IDE, developed by Code Red Technologies, works out of the box with LPC-Link 2. In addition, several firmware images are available for LPC-Link 2 which make it compatible with other tools, including the popular SEGGER J-Link and the CMSIS-DAP debugger designed by ARM.

"LPC-Link 2 provides embedded developers with unprecedented flexibility and choice, enabling them to connect their favorite IDEs and development tools to nearly any type of board, at a very low cost," said Henrik Flodell, tools and embedded ecosystem manager, microcontroller business line, NXP Semiconductors. "With close to 100,000 LPCXpresso boards shipped so far, we're very excited about the introduction of LPC-Link 2 and how it will help to expand the LPCXpresso ecosystem even further."

Firmware images of SEGGER J-Link and the CMSIS-DAP debugger can be downloaded for free from LPCware.com and loaded via a user-friendly DFU (device firmware update) tool. The LPC-Link2 is powered by an NXP LPC4300 series microcontroller, and includes a standard 10-pin JTAG/SWD connector; a 20-pin JTAG/SWD/ETM connector; and analog, digital and serial expansion headers, making it a highly extensible platform.

"The J-Link emulator has become a de-facto standard when it comes to debug technology for ARM processors. With more than 100,000 J-Links sold to date, its broad platform support and popularity make it an ideal companion for the LPC-Link 2 platform," said Rolf Segger, chief technology officer of SEGGER. "The J-Link software provides exceptionally fast flash download speeds, and also allows LPC-Link 2 to be used with any major tool chain, including free GDB-based ones. It is fun to work with."

The LPC-Link2 is available for ordering immediately from NXP as OM13054 for a recommended price of $20.00. NXP will also discuss the LPC-Link2 in a technical session at DESIGN West 2013, "Kickstarting your NXP embedded development with LPCXpresso," which takes place on Thursday, April 25 at 11:45 am Pacific Time in booth no. 1523.