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J-Link RDI

J-Link-RDI software is an RDI interface for J-Link. It makes it possible to use J-Link with any RDI compliant debugger. The package consists of 2 DLLs, which need to be copied to the same folder. In order to use these DLLs, they need to be selected in the debugger.

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Overview

J-Link RDI is a real-time debug interface that allows any RDI-compliant debugging tools and integrated development environments (IDEs) to communicate with J-Link or J-Trace devices. It provides an abstraction layer that allows developers to use standard debugging commands and protocols.

With J-Link RDI, developers can also access advanced debugging features such as flash programming, real-time code execution control, and access to on-chip debugging resources. This enables efficient debugging and testing of embedded software during development, helping to identify and resolve issues quickly.

Software

For all J-Trace and J-Link models higher than J-Link BASE, J-Link RDI is included in the J-Link Software and Documentation Package, which can be downloaded here:

DownloadJ-Link Software and Documentation Pack

J-Link BASE requires an upgrade BASE to PLUS, which is available in our  web shop.

System requirements

Supported OS
WindowsMicrosoft Windows (x86/x64)
macOSmacOS (x86/Apple Silicon)
LinuxLinux (x86/x64/Arm)

Supported Arm debuggers

J-Link RDI can be used with any RDI-compliant debuggers. In the following all RDI compliant debuggers which have been tested with J-Link RDI are listed.
 

  • ARM® Developer Suite™ (ADS)
  • ARM® RealView® Development Suite (RVDS) V3.0 (Since RVDS 3.1 removed RDI support, J-Link RDI will not work with RVDS 3.1)
  • IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM (EWARM)
  • RealView® Microcontroller Development Kit (Keil MDK)
  • Greenhills (GHS) MULTI


For more information about how to use RDI with debuggers listed above, please refer to the J-Link Manual (UM08001).

Unlimited Flash Breakpoints

The RDI DLL allows setting software breakpoints in flash memory areas, in the following called flash breakpoints. This makes it possible to set an unlimited number of flash breakpoints, rather than just the 2 hardware breakpoints permitted by the ICE. Setting flash breakpoints is executed very fast using a RAMcode specially designed for this purpose; on chips with fast flash the difference between breakpoints in RAM and Flash is unnoticeable.

More information about Unlimited Flash Breakpoints

 

j-link rdi iar flashbps 625

RDI configuration

RDI allows various configuration settings, such as:

  • Target system initialization via setup file
  • JTAG Speed and scan chain settings
  • Enable / disable Flash programming
  • Breakpoint settings (use software breakpoints, use Unlimited Flash Breakpoints)
  • CPU specific settings (Endianess, Reset strategy)
  • Enable / Disable Logfiles
j-link rdi config

Commands in the setup file

CommandDescription
SetJTAGSpeed(x);Sets the JTAG speed, x = speed in kHz (0=Auto)
Delay(x);Waits a given time,
x = delay in milliseconds
Reset(x);Resets the target,
x = delay in milliseconds
Go();Starts the ARM core
Halt();Halts the ARM core
Read8(Addr);Reads a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to read (as hex value)
Read16(Addr);Reads a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to read (as hex value)
Read32(Addr);Reads a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to read (as hex value)
Verify8(Addr, Data);Verifies a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to verify (as hex value)
Data = data to verify (as hex value)
Verify16(Addr, Data);Verifies a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to verify (as hex value)
Data = data to verify (as hex value)
Verify32(Addr, Data);Verifies a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to verify (as hex value)
Data = data to verify (as hex value)
Write8(Addr, Data);Writes a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to write (as hex value)
Data = data to write (as hex value)
Write16(Addr, Data);Writes a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to write (as hex value)
Data = data to write (as hex value)
Write32(Addr, Data);Writes a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to write (as hex value)
Data = data to write (as hex value)
WriteVerify8(Addr, Data);Writes and verifies a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to write (as hex value)
Data = data to write (as hex value)
WriteVerify16(Addr, Data);Writes and verifies a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to write (as hex value)
Data = data to write (as hex value)
WriteVerify32(Addr, Data);Writes and verifies a 8/16/32 bit value,
Addr = address to write (as hex value)
Data = data to write (as hex value)
WriteRegister(Reg, Data);Writes a register
WriteJTAG_IR(Cmd);Writes the JTAG instruction register
WriteJTAG_DR(nBits, Data);Writes the JTAG data register

Example of a setup file

/*********************************************************************
*
*    Setup file for J-LINK RDI
*
**********************************************************************
* File:    LPC2294.setup
* Purpose: Setup for Philips LPC2294 chip
**********************************************************************
*/
SetJTAGSpeed(1000);
Reset(0);
Write32(0xE01FC040, 0x00000001); // Map User Flash into Vector area at (0-3f)
Write32(0xFFE00000, 0x20003CE3); // Setup CS0
Write32(0xE002C014, 0x0E6001E4); // Setup  PINSEL2 Register
SetJTAGSpeed(2000);