topic Re: Do I need a debugger to flash the S32K312EVB in S32K

Do I need a debugger to flash the S32K312EVB

sam-azak — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:11:56 GMT

Hi All,

I'm in the process of testing out a few different evaluation boards and while I'm starting to finally like the S32 Design Studio interface, I'm still having trouble flashing the microcontroller.

If I try the debug or run code options, a "Problem Occurred" window appears. I've gotten a bunch of different errors that I've been able to work through, but it another one always seems to pop up. It makes we wonder if I'm missing something basic...

So TLDR, do I need the Universal Multilink Development Interface or something similar to flash the S32K3 microntrollers? Or can I just use a standard micro usb cable.

Re: Do I need a debugger to flash the S32K312EVB

VaneB — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:02:29 GMT

Hi @sam-azak

To better analyze the situation, we require the following information. Also, If you can provide any additional details, it would be very helpful.

Is the board correctly powered with a 12V supply? Are you connecting a micro-USB cable to the J40 connector? Is your PC detecting the board when connected? Could you please verify if the jumpers are correctly set, as shown in section 3.1 Set Up Jumpers of the Getting Started with the S32K312EVB-Q172 Evaluation Board for General Purpose?

Regarding the use of an external debugger, our evaluation board comes with an OpenSDA interface, which serves as the onboard debugger, allowing for seamless debugging. While some external debuggers may offer additional features or tools, the choice of using them largely depends on your specific needs and project requirements.

BR, VaneB

Re: Do I need a debugger to flash the S32K312EVB

sam-azak — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 21:04:14 GMT

Thanks for the response @VaneB !

Yes, I am connecting to the board with a 12V Power Supply. (Unless all 4 of the orange LEDs shouldn't be on at the same time).

I am connecting a micro-USB cable to the J40 connector.

When I connect the micro-USB cable to the board, the PC does acknowledge the connection. However, the connected device is titled the P&E USB MULTILINK. Is this correct?

According to that document, the jumpers are set up correctly.

With regards to the OpenSDA interface, do I need to select that in the Debug Configurations? At the moment, all of the debugging interfaces seems to be GDB PEMicro Interface debuggers. This is what made me wonder if I need the PE Micro Debugger.

Thanks,

Sam

Re: Do I need a debugger to flash the S32K312EVB

VaneB — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:02:20 GMT

Hi @sam-azak

Yes, if the board is correctly powered, the LEDs D1, D2, D4, and D5 should light up. Additionally, when connected to a micro-USB cable via the J40 connector, LED D14 should also be on.

If your PC detects the board, it will appear as "OpenSDA" in the Device Manager on Windows. As for S32DS, in the debug configurations, OpenSDA is recognized as USB Multilink, and no changes are necessary to these configurations. Please refer to the images below for further clarification.

Additionally, ensure that the micro-USB cable is a data transfer cable, not a charge-only cable.

Re: Do I need a debugger to flash the S32K312EVB

sam-azak — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:59:28 GMT

Hi @VaneB,

Thanks again for the prompt response. I can confirm that D14 is on when I plug in a micro usb. And I can confirm that I am using a data transfer cable. However, I don't "OpenSDA" in the device manager and no ports are found in the Debugger configuration tool.

Instead, I see an ARM PL011. I assume this is because I'm actually running WIndows on Parallels. Do you know if it is possible to properly run S32 Design Studio using Parallels for Mac to program and NXP S32K312EVB and S32K3 chips in general?

Thanks,

Sam

Re: Do I need a debugger to flash the S32K312EVB

VaneB — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 21:34:41 GMT

Hi @sam-azak

The development and testing of S32 Design Studio were carried out exclusively on Linux and Windows, so there is no specific information available regarding its behavior on macOS. To rule out any potential issues with this operating system, could you please connect the board to a Windows PC?