Xplained Pro; Embedded Debugger - Atmel SAM4L Xplained Pro User Manual

3.

Xplained Pro

Xplained Pro is an evaluation platform that provides the full Atmel microcontroller experience. The
platform consists of a series of Microcontroller (MCU) boards and extension boards, which are integrated
with Atmel Studio, have Atmel Software Framework (ASF) drivers and demo code, support data
streaming, and more. Xplained Pro MCU boards support a wide range of Xplained Pro extension boards,
which are connected through a set of standardized headers and connectors. Each extension board has
an identification (ID) chip to uniquely identify which boards are connected to an Xplained Pro MCU board.
This information is used to present relevant user guides, application notes, datasheets, and example
code through Atmel Studio.
3.1.

Embedded Debugger

The SAM4L Xplained Pro contains the Atmel Embedded Debugger (EDBG) for on-board debugging. The
EDBG is a composite USB device of three interfaces; a debugger, Virtual COM Port, and a Data Gateway
Interface (DGI).
Together with Atmel Studio, the EDBG debugger interface can program and debug the ATSAM4LC4C.
On SAM4L Xplained Pro, the SWD interface is connected between the EDBG and the ATSAM4LC4C.
The Virtual COM Port is connected to a UART on the ATSAM4LC4C and provides an easy way to
communicate with the target application through terminal software. It offers variable baud rate, parity, and
stop bit settings. Note that the settings on the ATSAM4LC4C must match the settings given in the
terminal software.
Info: If not set automatically, data terminal ready (DTR) must be set in the terminal software.
The DGI consists of several physical interfaces for communication with the host computer.
Communication over the interfaces is bidirectional. It can be used to send events and values from the
ATSAM4LC4C or as a generic printf-style data channel. Traffic over the interfaces can be timestamped on
the EDBG for more accurate tracing of events. Note that timestamping imposes an overhead that reduces
maximal throughput.
The EDBG controls two LEDs on SAM4L Xplained Pro; a power LED and a status LED.
LED Control on page 9 shows how the LEDs are controlled in different operation modes.
Table 3-1 EDBG LED Control
Operation mode
Normal operation
Bootloader mode (idle)
Bootloader mode (firmware
upgrade)
For further documentation on the EDBG, see the
Atmel Data Visualizer is used to send and receive data through DGI.
Power LED
Power LED is lit when power is
applied to the board.
The power LED and the status LED blinks simultaneously.
The power LED and the status LED blinks in an alternating pattern.
Status LED
Activity indicator, LED flashes
when any communication
happens to the EDBG.
EDBG User Guide.
Atmel SAM4L Xplained Pro [USER GUIDE]
Atmel-42074C-SAM4L-Xplained-Pro_User Guide-11/2015
Table 3-1 EDBG
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