J-Trace PRO Cortex-A/R/M

The Arm Cortex trace probe

J-Trace PRO for Cortex-A/R/M-based microcontrollers supports tracing on a wide range of Arm Cortex cores.

Overview

SEGGER's J-Trace PRO can capture complete traces over long periods — thereby enabling the recording of infrequent, hard-to-reproduce bugs. This is particularly helpful when the program flow ‘runs off the rails’ and stops in a fault state.

It also supports extended trace features, such as Live Code Coverage (so engineers have visibility over which parts of the application code have been executed) and Live Code Profiling (providing visibility as to which instructions have been executed and how often, so hotspots can be addressed and optimization opportunities identified).

The J-Trace PRO Cortex-A/R/M provides support for Cortex-A/R/M-based microcontrollers. The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface of J-Trace PRO enables continuous streaming trace via USB with the full trace clock. Streaming in real time allows for data capture over long periods of time because there is no limit set on the amount of trace data. This gives you all the insight you need to develop and optimize your code.

Key features

Streaming trace probe with SuperSpeed USB3.0 interface and Gigabit Ethernet
Download speed up to 4 MB/s
Unlimited breakpoints in flash memory (Flash Breakpoints)
Use with Ozone and J-Flash
Real-time streaming at full System Clock
Fine-tune applications with Live Code Profiling
Instruction-level code coverage to satisfy regulatory requirements
Unlimited trace to isolate & identify hidden code defects
Supports Cortex-A/R/M targets
Full J-Link debug functionality

Debug and trace connectors

J-Trace has two connectors. The pinout of the debug and trace connector is in the SEGGER knowledge base. The debug connector is for debug only and can be used with target adapters for J-Link.

Please note, that only one connector can be used at a time!

Supported devices

SEGGER's J-Trace PRO supports tracing on a wide range of Cortex devices.

Core or device not listed? Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Software

All software is included free of charge.

For every J-Trace PRO, the J-Link Software and Documentation Package is available here:

Multi-platform

As a multi-platform solution, J-Trace PRO Cortex-A/R/M 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.

J-Flash

J-Flash is a part of the J-Link Software and Documentation package and allows the programming of the internal and external flash memory of a microcontroller-based embedded system via J-Trace.

Learn more about J-Flash...

Speed

Up to 4 MB/s download speed make J-Trace PRO the fastest trace probe on the market.

Learn more about flash programming speed...

Flash Breakpoints

The J-Trace PRO Cortex-A/R/M comes with an additional feature, called Unlimited Flash Breakpoints, which allows the user to set an unlimited number of breakpoints when debugging in flash memory.

Learn more about Unlimited Flash Breakpoints...

Ozone — The multi-platform debugger and performance analyzer

Ozone is a full-featured graphical debugger for embedded applications. It includes all well-known debug controls and information windows, and enables the best performance of J-Link debug probes and J-Trace trace probes. With Ozone it is possible to debug any embedded application on C/C++ source and assembly level. The Ozone Trace Tutorial allows developers to test the streaming and live analysis features of J-Trace PRO.

Instruction tracing

With streaming trace data users get deep insights into any application running on the target device whilst offering additional, powerful debug strategies to apply. It enables a far-reaching, yet complete, analysis of such issues, offering fast and efficient data analysis, ensuring higher productivity and also lowering development risks and costs.

Live Code Profiling

Code profiling details which instructions have been executed and how often. Users can address application runtime hotspots and identify opportunities to optimize them. It is all about measuring the execution time and frequency of functions, blocks and instructions and highlighting where computing time is spent. These profiles can later be exported using a tool like the Ozone debugger, for documentation and analysis purposes.

Live Code Coverage

Through Live Code Coverage, engineers gain fully accurate information about how much of a source line, block, function, or file has been executed on a target application. It is this information that makes it possible to detect code that hasn’t been covered by tests — even code that may be unreachable. This enables a fast and efficient way to improve the code or to create a suitable test suite for uncovered blocks.

Trace reference boards

Trace reference boards are optimal for simple and portable trace demos. These boards allow testing and verification of trace setups within minutes. They can also be used as a reference for custom hardware projects as the trace reference boards are optimized for best trace signal quality.

All trace reference boards come with an example project that runs out-of-the-box. For easy setup the boards can be powered using a J-Trace PRO V2 or later.

Overview of all trace reference boards...

Media gallery

Product photos

SEGGER J-Trace PRO Cortex-A/R/M: Trace probe (photo) — J-Trace PRO Cortex-A/R/M

Videos

Getting started with J-Trace PRO & Ozone: Streaming trace - live code coverage - live code profiling

Aug. 2020 | 10:40 min
J-Trace PRO & Ozone — Getting started

SEGGER Webinar Advanced Debugging: Streaming Instruction Trace & Real-Time Code Coverage / Profiling on ARM Cortex Microcontrollers

Jan. 2021 | 48:06 min
J-Trace PRO — Webinar

SEGGER J-Trace PRO: Live profiling and code coverage

Aug. 2016 | 1:55 min
J-Trace PRO — Live Code Profiling

SEGGER J-Trace PRO & Ozone with SAME70: Live code coverage / profiling on the microchip SAME70 using SEGGER's J-Trace PRO & Ozone

Oct. 2018 | 5:01 min
J-Trace PRO & Ozone — With SAME70

Instruction tracing and live code coverage/code profiling on the NXP i.MX RT600

Aug. 2020 | 6:47 min
J-Trace PRO — On NXP i.MX RT600

Technical specifications

Specifications	Value
Supported OS	Microsoft Windows (x86/x64), Linux (x86/x64/Arm), macOS (x86/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 (without cables)	123mm x 68mm x 30mm
Weight (without cables)	(without cables) 120g
Available interfaces
Ethernet interface	Gigabit
USB interface	USB 3.0, SuperSpeed
Target interface	JTAG/SWD 20-pin (14-pin adapter available) JTAG/SWD + Trace 19-pin (38-pin Mictor adapter available)
JTAG/SWD interface, electrical
Power supply	USB-powered (max. 400mA)
Target interface voltage (V_IF)	1.2V ... 5V
LOW level input voltage (V_IL)	V_IL <= 40% of V_IF
HIGH level input voltage (V_IH)	V_IH >= 60% of V_IF
JTAG/SWD interface, timing
Data input rise time (T_rdi)	Max. 20ns
Data input fall time (T_fdi)	Max. 20ns
Data output rise time (T_rdo)	Max. 10ns
Data output fall time (T_fdo)	Max. 10ns
Clock rise time (T_rc)	Max. 10ns
Clock fall time (T_fc)	Max. 10ns
Trace interface, electrical
Power supply	USB-powered (max. 400mA)
Target interface voltage (V_IF)	1.2V ... 5V
Voltage interface low pulse (V_IL)	Max. 40% of V_IF
Voltage interface high pulse (V_IH)	Min. 60% of V_IF
Trace interface
Max. trace clock frequency	150 MHz

Package content

Cortex-M Reference Board — Cortex-M Trace Reference Board

FAQ

Q: What is the advantage of using the J-Trace PRO over other trace probes?

A: One of the biggest advantages of the J-Trace PRO is its streaming trace capability. Streaming trace allows for continuous live trace analyses, enabling debugging for even the most complex problems.

Q: Can I use the J-Trace PRO as a debug probe?

A: Yes. The J-Trace PRO includes all capabilities of the J-Link debug probes and comes with all licenses, such as for Unlimited Flash Breakpoints. It can be used with the J-Link software as well as with any tool that supports the J-Link.

Q: Can the J-Trace PRO be used with any IDE?

A: Yes. The J-Trace PRO can be used with all common IDEs, just like any J-Link debug probe.

Q: Can any IDE be used for tracing as well?

A: Unfortunately most IDE vendors do not offer trace analysis features. If they do, it is only to a limited degree.

Q: What can I use for tracing and analysis?

A: We recommend using the graphical standalone debugger Ozone. It supports all J-Trace PRO capabilities and compliments them with its advanced analysis features. Ozone can be used independent of a compiler, with the output of any IDE or toolchain. It can also be used completely free of charge with a J-Trace PRO, even for commercial use.

Q: What do I need in order to trace with a J-Trace PRO?

A: Just connect the target device and start debugging. J-Trace PRO is designed to simply get working. It can be up and running in less than 10 minutes.

Q: Where can I find trace-related troubleshooting information?

A: Tracing is a very hardware-dependent debug technique, and some target hardware modifications or designs can cause issues when trying to set up the trace debug interface. To give our customers an easy-to-use troubleshooting platform with the most asked questions answered, we have created the following setup page: Setting up trace.

Any more questions? Please contact us.

Q: Are there any trace example projects that I can use for orientation?

A: Yes, every J-Trace PRO Cortex-A/R/M gets shipped with a Cortex-M Trace Reference Board. An example project is part of the J-Trace tutorial. We also created a list of tested devices that each come with an example project that runs out-of-the-box with a J-Trace PRO and Ozone. The list is available here and is updated regularly.

Q: My device is not on the tested devices list, what can I do to get an example project for it?

A: The trace-capable MCU market is growing and it is becoming harder to keep track of all devices. If we don't happen to have a trace example for your particular device, please feel free to contact us.

The requirements for adding a new example project are:

Must be supported by J-Link software: overview of supported CPUs and devices
The target hardware must be publicly available and an evaluation board.
Trace pins must be physically connected to the trace debug interface.

Q: What is the maximum voltage that can be handled by the galvanic isolation of the Ethernet?

A: The Ethernet data lines are isolated as required per IEEE 802.3 (test voltage 1500 Vrms for one minute). Note that this is NOT valid for the Ethernet shield that has a direct electrical contact to the USB shield and a resistive and capacitive coupling to probe GND. For an effective isolation, you need to use an unshielded twisted pair Ethernet cable.