Getting Started with iMX93-EVK and MCU-LINK Pro for M Core Debugging

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This guide walks you through the required steps to prepare your development environment and hardware for debugging the M core on the IMX93-EVK board using the MCU-LINK Pro. You’ll install the necessary firmware, compile and flash a binary, and finally, initiate a debug session using MCUXpresso for VS Code.

Requirements:

• IMX93-EVK Board

• MCU-LINK Pro Debug Probe

• PC Host with MCUXpresso for VS Code installed

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.

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 IMX93-EVK 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.bin

Note: 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

IMX93-EVK Debug connection:

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 0

Note: 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 IMX93-EVK, 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.

References:

AN14120.pdf