SEGGER Microcontroller Release The ultimate debug solution: J-Link Ultra+

Hilden,  Germany  -  April  30th ,  2012  –  Based  on  the  ultra  fast  J-Link  Ultra,  SEGGER Microcontroller introduces a new member of the J-Link family to the market: The fast and versatile J-Link Ultra+.

By  adding  licenses  for  all  J-Link  related  software packages  to  J-Link  Ultra, the  developer receives  access  to  an  unlimited  number  of  breakpoints  in flash  memory,  production  grade  flash  programming  and compatibility  with  all  popular  tool-chains  including  GDB and RDI based tool-chains for ARM and Renesas RX cores.

As  with  all  J-Link  models,  the  J-Link  Ultra+  comes  with SEGGER’s  ultra  fast  flash  programming  algorithms, allowing  download  into  external  CFI-compliant  flashes  as well  as  the  internal  flash  of  all  common  microcontrollers. Related software and firmware updates are free of charge.
With  download  speeds  of  up  to  1.5 MByte/sec,  the  J-Link Ultra+  is  second  to  none.  The  already  fast  algorithms  for flash programming from SEGGER benefit significantly from the improved speed.

The  price  tag  of  598  Euro  (748  US  Dollars)  makes  the  J-Link Ultra+ the emulator of choice in the ARM and Renesas RX worlds. 

“The introduction of the J-Link Ultra+ is an easy choice for developers using ARM and RX cores. Unsurpassed speed, the ease of use, fast and free flash loaders, unlimited flash breakpoints and compatibility with all tool-chains are the outstanding features of this device. There is no other emulator with as much value for the money”, says Dirk Akemann, marketing manager of SEGGER.

Behind the Technology

SEGGER’s  Unlimited Flash Breakpoints have been optimized to such a high level, the user will  not  even  realize  he  has run out of hardware breakpoints during his debug session. J-Link reprograms the flash memory as little as possible. A number of optimizations are used, such  as  usage  of  hardware  breakpoints  whenever  possible,  automatic  conversion  of breakpoint  types  where  applicable,  instruction  set  simulation  and  emulation,  flash  cache, and other methods SEGGER has developed over the many years of this features evolution.

An unlimited number of breakpoints can be set anywhere in program memory; including the target device's, internal flash memory, external CFI-compliant flash, and internal or external RAM. Debugging limitations imposed by the number of hardware breakpoints available (2 on ARM7/9, 4 on Cortex-M0, M1 and typically 6 on Cortex-M3, M4) are completely eliminated.

This  presents  a  flash  debugging  environment  which  is  virtually  the  same  as  that  when debugging in RAM.

All  J-Link  models  have  built-in  “intelligence”:  They  are  all  based  on  32-bit  CPUs  running code  which  is  highly  optimized  for  the  target  CPU  and  fast  and  stable  debug  operation.  Many competing products consist of simple USB-to-JTAG or USB-to-SWD conversion circuits and leave all decision making up to the PC, slowing down the debug process and making it more error prone especially in environments with low and changing CPU-clock speeds.

About J-Link

The  SEGGER  J-Link  is  the  industry-standard  for  ARM  debug  emulators,  supported  by  all major tool chains for ARM cores. The SEGGER J-Link is independent and will work with IDEs from: Freescale, IAR, KEIL, Mentor Graphics, Rowley, Renesas, Tasking, Phyton and others. In addition to those listed above; any RDI compliant debugger can be used with the optional RDI  module,  and  any  GDB  compliant  debugger  with  the  free  GDB-Server.  Therefore;  as projects change, a different compiler/debugger may have to be used. With the J-Link family, SEGGER Microcontroller – Solutions for embedded systems   investments (monetary and learning curve) in development/production tools are preserved. Setup of a J-Link is done in mere minutes.

J-Link  supports  multiple  CPU  families,  such  as  ARM  7/9/11,  Cortex-M0,M1,M3,M4,R4,A5,A8,A9, Renesas RX in a single model; there is typically no need to buy a  new  J-Link  or  new  license  when  switching  to  a  different  CPU  family.  SEGGER  is  also continuously  adding  support  for  additional  cores,  which  in  most  cases,  only  requires  a software/firmware  update.  Unlimited  free  updates  are  included  with  even  the  baseline model  of  the  J-Link.  SEGGER  is  excited  to  continue  advanced  development  of  its  cutting edge embedded tool solutions to be utilized with pretty much any development environment you choose. All J-Links are fully compatible to each other, so an upgrade from a lower-end model to a higher end model is a matter of a simple plug-and-play.

Full product specifications are available at: http://www.segger.com/jlink.html

The J-Link-Software is available at: http://www.segger.com/download_jlink.html

About SEGGER

SEGGER Microcontroller develops and distributes hardware and software development tools as well as software components for embedded systems. An "embedded system" is one in which a microprocessor and associated components are incorporated into a device helping to accomplish difficult and complex tasks in products such as cell phones, medical instruments, instrument clusters, measurement instruments, satellite radios, digital cameras etc.

SEGGER was founded in 1997, is privately held, and is growing steadily. Based in Hilden with distributors in all continents and a local office in Massachusetts, SEGGER offers its full product range worldwide.

SEGGER software products include: embOS (RTOS), emWin (GUI), emFile (File System), emUSB (USB host and device stack) and embOS/IP (TCP/IP stack). With the experience in programming efficiently on embedded systems, SEGGER created highly integrated, cost-effective programming and development tools, such as the Flasher (stand-alone flash programmer) and the industry leading J-Link/J-Trace emulator. SEGGER’s intention is to cut software development time for embedded applications by offering affordable, high quality, flexible and easy-to-use tools and software components allowing developers to focus on their applications.

Find out more by contacting Glenn Moloney

30-04-2012