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jlink-base-base-compact-3d

J-Link BASE — The JTAG/SWD debug probe with USB interface

The BASE version of the market-leading debug probe family. Top models of the J-Link family are J-Link PRO, J-Link ULTRA+, and J-Link PLUS.

J-Link BASE is available in two form factors with identical function: J-Link BASE Classic and J-Link BASE Compact.

Compare J-Link models
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  1. 1.Overview
    1. 1.1.Key features
  2. 2.Supported devices
  3. 3.Software
    1. 3.1.License upgrade
    2. 3.2.Multi-platform
  4. 4.Media gallery
    1. 4.1.Product photos
    2. 4.2.Videos
  5. 5.Technical specifications
  6. 6.Assembly dimensions
  7. 7.Package content
    1. 7.1.J-Link BASE Classic
    2. 7.2.J-Link BASE Compact
  8. 8.FAQ

Overview

J-Link BASE is a USB-powered JTAG debug probe supporting a large number of CPU cores. Based on a 32-bit RISC CPU, it can communicate at high speed with the supported target CPUs. J-Link is used around the world in tens of thousand places for development and production (flash programming) purposes.

The J-Link debug probes are supported by all major IDEs including Eclipse, GDB-based IDEs and SEGGER Embedded Studio. For a complete list, please refer to supported IDEs. Including all models, more than 1,000,000 J-Links have been shipped so far, making J-Link probably the most popular debug probe for Arm cores and the de-facto standard.

Key features

  • Download speed up to 1 MB/s
  • Built-in VCOM functionality
  • Supports a broad range of microcontrollers
  • Free software updates

Supported devices

The list of supported manufacturers, families and devices and SoCs includes tens of thousands of devices in hundreds of device families.

Device not listed? Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

J-Link BASE: Supported devices (icon)

Software

All software is included free of charge. The J-Link Software and Documentation Package is available here:

DownloadJ-Link Software and Documentation Pack

License upgrade

The J-Link BASE offers basic functionality. To use the full range of functions of a J-Link PLUS, for instance, the J-Link Upgrade BASE to PLUS is needed.

This license upgrade comes with a software bundle that includes the J-Flash / J-Flash SPI license, software to program EEPROM and flash chips in Arm systems, as well as a J-Link Unlimited Flash Breakpoints license. Included is also the Ozone J-Link Debugger & Performance Analyzer, the Monitor Mode Debugging technology, the J-Link RDI / RDDI license, and the license pack for the RDI / RDDI interface.

The J-Link upgrade BASE to PLUS is available at shop-us.segger.com.

Multi-platform

As a multi-platform solution, J-Link BASE comes with the setup and control software for Linux, macOS and Windows. Software and firmware updates are included. Similarly, use on all currently supported target devices, and any that will be added, is also included.

Media gallery

Product photos

SEGGER J-Link BASE Classic: Debug probe (photo)
J-Link BASE Classic
SEGGER J-Link BASE Classic: Debug probe (photo)
J-Link BASE Classic
SEGGER J-Link BASE Compact: Debug probe (photo)
J-Link BASE Compact
SEGGER J-Link BASE Compact: Debug probe (photo)
J-Link BASE Compact

Videos

SEGGER J-Link Tutorials: The J-Link Configurator

Mar. 2022 | 5:24 min
J-Link — J-Link Configurator

SEGGER BBC micro:bit J-Link upgrade: Step-by-step instructions

Aug. 2016 | 1:33 min
BBC micro:bit J-Link Upgrade — Intro

Jan. 2022 | 4:02 min
J-Link — Performance analysis

SEGGER J-Link Remote Server: Accessing a J-Link, J-Trace or Flasher remotely - anywhere in the world

Mar. 2019 | 4:35 min
J-Link Remote Server — Intro

SEGGER J-Link Tutorials: The J-Link Commander

Mar. 2022 | 7:48 min
J-Link — J-Link Commander

   View more...

Technical specifications

General
Supported OSMicrosoft Windows (x86 / x64 / Arm64), Linux (x86 / x64 / Arm / Arm64), macOS (x64 / Apple M1)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)EN 55022, EN 55024
Operating temperature+5°C ... +60°C
Storage temperature-20°C ... +65 °C
Relative humidity (non-condensing)Max. 90% rH
Mechanical
Size of J-Link BASE Classic (without cables)100mm x 53mm x 27mm
Weight of J-Link BASE Classic (without cables)70g
Size of J-Link BASE Compact (without cables)47mm x 40mm x 14mm
Weight of J-Link BASE Compact (without cables)20g
Available Interfaces
USB interface (J-Link BASE Classic)USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed); USB Type B
USB interface (J-Link BASE Compact)USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed); Micro USB
Target interfaceJTAG/SWD 20-pin
JTAG/SWD Interface, Electrical
Power supplyUSB powered
Max. 50mA + Target Supply current.
Target interface voltage (VIF)1.2V ... 5V
Current drawn from target voltage sense pin (VTRef)< 25µA
Target supply voltage5V (derived from USB voltage)
Target supply currentMax. 300mA
Reset typeOpen drain. Can be pulled low or tristated
Reset low level output voltageVOL <= 10% of VIF
For the whole target voltage range (1.2V <= VIF <= 5V)
LOW level input voltage (VIL)VIL <= 40% of VIF
HIGH level input voltage (VIH)VIH >= 60% of VIF
For 1.2V >= VIF <= 3.6V
LOW level output voltage (VOL) with a load of 10 kOhmVOL <= 10% of VIF
HIGH level output voltage (VOH) with a load of 10 kOhmVOH >= 90% of VIF
For 3.6 <= VIF <= 5V
LOW level output voltage (VOL) with a load of 10 kOhmVOL <= 20% of VIF
HIGH level output voltage (VOH) with a load of 10 kOhmVOH >= 80% of VIF
JTAG/SWD Interface, Timing
Target interface speedMax. 15 MHz
SWO sampling frequencyMax. 30 MHz
Data input rise time (Trdi)Trdi <= 20ns
Data input fall time (Tfdi)Tfdi <= 20ns
Data output rise time (Trdo)Trdo <= 10ns
Data output fall time (Tfdo)Tfdo <= 10ns
Clock rise time (Trc)Trc <= 3ns
Clock fall time (Tfc)Trc <= 3ns

Assembly dimensions

The compact variant of the J-Link BASE is designed to mount securely and unobtrusively into development or end user equipment. The small size and two mounting holes enable placing the J-Link BASE Compact into existing equipment housings or to reserve space for direct-to-PCB mounting.

Typical applications are test fixtures that are used to automate firmware verification during development, or long-term test setups. It also can be used for integrated firmware reflash or service purposes inside end equipment, minimizing the number of tools that service technicians must carry around.

Download PCB 3D-STEP data

Download PCB dimensions

J-Link Base Compact Assembly
Explosion view of the J-Link BASE Compact
J-Link Compact Dimensions
Assembly dimensions of the J-Link BASE Compact

Package content

J-Link BASE Classic

J-Link BASE shadow
J-Link BASE Classic
SEGGER Flasher PRO - Gray Cable Ribbon 20 pin shadow
.1" 20-pin ribbon cable
Black Cable USB shadow
USB cable

J-Link BASE Compact

J-Link Base Compact
J-Link BASE Compact
SEGGER Flasher PRO - Gray Cable Ribbon 20 pin shadow
.1" 20-pin ribbon cable
SEGGER Cable USB Micro
Micro USB cable

FAQ

Q: Can I use J-Flash with J-Link BASE?

A:  No. You either need the additional license J-Link Upgrade BASE to PLUS in case you already own the product. Another option is to buy a higher-end model, such as J-Link PLUS, J-Link ULTRA+, or J-Link PRO.

The same applies to the J-Link Flash Breakpoints technology or the J-Link Debugger Ozone, for instance. Learn more here...

In order to receive a free 30 days trial license, please send an email including the J-Link serial number to: sales@segger.com.

Q: What is the advantage of J-Link versus simple probes such as FTDI-based systems?

A:  J-Link has numerous advantages: Communication is handled by the probe which makes communication more reliable and faster. Flash loaders are provided by SEGGER or can be created using the device support kit. The debug communication interface RTT is available. All popular IDEs include support for the J-Link across all vendors. With an additional license an unlimited number of breakpoints in flash memory can be set. In contrast to most simple probes, J-Link supports adaptive clocking as well as SWD and SWO.

Q: May I work with more than one J-Link at the same time, on the same machine?

A:  Yes, you can connect an unlimited number of J-Links to your PC. No special configuration required; each J-Link is registered with its unique serial number on the PC. This enables you to have multiple J-Links connected at once.

Q: I have multiple Arm cores in my JTAG chain. How can I debug them (simultaneously) with J-Link?

A:  That's simple: Two or more debuggers can use the same J-Link simultaneously. Multi-core debugging requires multiple debuggers or multiple instances of the same debugger. You need to tell your debugger which device in the scan chain you want to debug. Additional special settings are not required.

Q: Does J-Link support the Embedded Trace Buffer (ETB)?

A:  Yes. J-Link supports ETB on Cortex-M3/M4/M7 and Cortex-A/R (if implemented by target device).

Q: Does J-Link support the  Micro Trace Buffer (MTB)?

A:  Yes.

Q: Does J-Link support the Embedded Trace Macrocell (ETM)?

A:  No. ETM requires another connection to the ARM chip and a CPU with built-in ETM. ETM is supported by the J-Trace product family.

More Information

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