This guide walks you through the required steps to prepare your development environment and hardware for debugging the M core on the FRDM-IMX93 board using the MCU-LINK Pro. You’ll install the necessary firmware, perform minor hardware modifications, compile and flash a binary, and finally, initiate a debug session using MCUXpresso for VS Code.
Requirements:
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FRDM-IMX93 Board
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MCU-LINK Pro Debug Probe
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Soldering Station (for minor rework)
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PC Host with MCUXpresso for VS Code installed
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Adapter Cables
Install Segger Firmware on MCU-LINK Pro
By default, the MCU-LINK Pro does not support i.MX processors. Installing the Segger firmware is essential for proper debugging.
Follow the firmware update guide to update your MCU-LINK Pro.
Rework the FRDM-IMX93 Board
The FRDM-IMX93 uses UART5 (shared with the BT module) for debug pins, which causes conflicts. To enable reliable debugging, remove the following resistors:
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R3017
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R3018
Note: After this modification, the Bluetooth module will no longer function under Linux.
Schematic:
FRDM BOARD:
Note: After this rework we can't use the Bluetooth module in Linux
Compile the Binary for the M Core
Ensure MCUXpresso for VS Code is properly installed.
Import the iMX93-EVK SDK
Import "hello world" example
Ensure that we are compiling a debug binary
Build Project
Flash the Binary using UUU Tool
Connect the FRDM Board to your Host PC via USB
Enter Fastboot Mode in U-Boot Terminal
=> fastboot 0
On your Host PC, navigate to the binary location and flash it using the next commands:
$ cd <project_location>/armgcc/debug/
$ uuu -b fat_write sdk20-app.bin mmc X:1 hello_world.binNote: replace the X with 0 if you are booting from eMMC or 1 if you are booting from SD Card
Connect MCU-LINK Pro to the Target
To set up debugging, connect the FRDM-IMX93 board to your host computer using the MCU-LINK Pro and the J-LINK Adapter for Cortex-M.
FRDM-IMX93 Debug connector:
Required Connections
Use the following pin mapping between the J-LINK Adapter and the FRDM-IMX93 debug connector:
J-LINK ADAPTER --> FRMD-IMX93
V REF --> 3.3v(RPI Connector pin 1 )
SWDIO --> SWDIO (P14 pin 2)
SWCLK --> SWCLK (P14 pin 1)
GND --> GND (P14 pin 3)
Make sure all connections are secure before powering on the board.
Launch the M Core from U-Boot Terminal
Use the following commands in the U-Boot terminal:=> fatload mmc X:1 80000000 hello_world.bin; cp.b 0x80000000 0x201e0000 0x10000;
=> bootaux 0x1ffe0000 0Note: replace the X with 0 if you are booting from eMMC or 1 if you are booting from SD Card
Start the Debug Session
Once the M core is launched, you can start your debug session in VS Code using MCUXpresso:
With the MCU-LINK Pro configured, the FRDM-IMX93 reworked, and the binary successfully flashed and executed, you are now ready to debug applications on the M core using MCUXpresso and VS Code. This setup enables a reliable development workflow for i.MX93-based projects.
