Chapter 3
MCU-Link Debug Probe
This chapter describes the MCU-Link debug probe and explains how to connect it to the target MCU (LPC5536).
3.1 MCU-Link overview
MCU-Link is a debug probe architecture jointly developed by NXP and Embedded Artists. The MCU-Link architecture is based
on the LPC55S69 MCU, and it includes several mandatory and optional features. NXP uses MCU-Link on evaluation kits (EVK
boards), for example, LPC55S36-EVK. MCU-Link is also available as a standalone probe (MCU-Link probe, MCU-Link Pro probe).
All these MCU-Link probes use the same firmware.
NXP EVK boards have some configuration strap pins that determine the type of MCU-Link used. The MCU-Link firmware reads
these pins during boot process to determine the MCU-Link type.
In the LPC55S36-EVK board, some of the strap pins can be configured via jumpers. However, you have to do most of these
configuration changes before powering up the board.
3.1.1 Supported firmware options
Supported firmware options for the LPC55S36-EVK MCU-Link debug probe are described below:
• By default, the LPC55S36-EVK MCU-Link debug probe is programmed with firmware based on CMSIS-DAP protocol from
NXP. This firmware also supports all other features supported in hardware. For information on how to update MCU-Link
firmware, see
Installing device drivers and updating MCU-Link firmware
• A custom version of J-Link Lite is also available but this firmware is limited to debug and VCOM features
• Other firmware options available for MCU-Link OB may not provide the buffer enable / direction control support that is
required to correctly configure the LPC55S36-EVK hardware. Therefore, care should be taken while using such firmware.
3.1.2 Using MCU-Link with development tools
The MCU-Link debug probe can be used with IDEs supported within the MCUXpresso ecosystem (MCUXpresso IDE, IAR
Embedded Workbench, and Keil MDK). To get started on any of these IDEs, click "GET STARTED" link on the LPC55S36-EVK
board page on the NXP website.
Other IDEs that support CMSIS-DAP or J-Link protocol can also use the MCU-Link debug probe; refer to the
documentation for these IDEs for more information.
NOTE
3.2 Installing device drivers and updating MCU-Link firmware
MCU-Link is supported on host computers running on Windows 10, MacOS X, and Ubuntu Linux operating systems (OSs). For
each of these OSs, an MCU-Link firmware package is available that includes the host device drivers, MCU-Link firmware, and
scripts to program CMSIS-DAP and J-Link firmware. The host device drivers are included in the firmware package to configure
the host so that it displays user-friendly device names.
To download and install the host device drivers and update the MCU-Link firmware, follow these steps:
1. Go to the
on the NXP website.
2. Click Design Resources, and then click Development Software under SOFTWARE category. Installation packages are
displayed for all three OSs.
3. Download the firmware package applicable to your host OS.
4. Depending on the host OS, install the firmware package (Linux/MacOS) or execute the installer program (Windows).
The firmware package is installed/unzipped to the MCU-LINK_installer_Vx_xxx directory (where Vx_xxx indicates the
NXP Semiconductors
LPC55S36-EVK Board User Manual, Rev. 1, 24 January 2022
User Manual
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