Segger J-Link EDU or J-Link clone, which one would you get? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tlu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2013, 09:24:45 pm
content: I'm thinking of getting the Segger J-Link EDU for ~$60 vs the clones out there which can be as cheap as ~$10. I want to know if the clones will support everything the official one does? And what about the latest firmware? I've read that Segger is blacklisting the serial numbers so most clones will not be able to work with the latest firmware on the Segger website. For those whose have a clone, can you verify if this is true or is it a something that could be worked around?

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2013, 09:47:08 pm
content: I really think that you are doing the right thing if you are truly considering the Segger vs the clones. Not only you support the people that put the time and the effort to architect, design, build and support the damn emulator, but the price difference is really not that large...Not only you will always be sure it will work with all the software, have all the features and count on all the upgrades you need, but I have supported customers that purchased knockoffs (not necessarily Segger's) that were responsible for hours of debugging time (in other words: money) trying to find out what the heck was happening with the device. That and the risk of vapourizing the JTAG interface with a poor pinout (never experienced that, but heard about).

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2013, 09:53:09 pm
content: I bought a clone quite a while ago as a backup, but the latest Segger driver software refuses to work with it, I don't know if recent clones have overcome this.$60 is not unreasonable for a genuine product

author: tinhead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2013, 10:15:37 pm
content: well, when a clone have "GDBFull" as feature the software will stop working. You need firmware having only "GDB". Serial number is not problem as well, there is empty version available, burn it, connect first time and program your fav. S/N. That's all.On the other side, when i really don't need J-Link Pro features and can work with EDU version, why then buy a clone? Exact, no need for that. The question might be as well, do i need j-link? Or is maybe any other FTDI FT2232H based jtag cable good enought? And if FTDI based, do i need really to spend money for Olimex thing? Or do i need some extra (i do e.g.) features of Amontec jtag key? If no hell, then buy 10-15USD china FTDI based jtag cable.

author: tlu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 04:39:17 am
content: As far as working with the ARM Cortex-A8, will a clone do the job? I would prefer to save alot of headaches and get the genuine Segger J-Link. At least my chances of that working straight out of the box should be much greater.Anyone with a clone care to comment on the usability of a clone on the Cortex-A8?

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 04:58:43 am
content: First of all, I have to wonder about you using a Cortex-A8 at all. These are usually meant for operating systems and are bootloader setup rather than JTAG debugged. People who are working with these at a low level programming/debugging level usually aren't asking what JTAG to use. It's just I have seen several people asking about these higher end cortex processors when they are really just in the market for Cortex-M3 or M0.I have a clone and it works great. The only thing you need to care about is that eventually Segger will put out a revision that will lock your clone out, or they already have. If you stick with the firmware revision you have, you're fine. People say there are ways to get around even this, but I haven't gone that far.If you are getting the EDU, there is a non-commercial license that goes with this.

author: tlu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 06:18:25 am
content: Quote from: TheDirty on September 03, 2013, 04:58:43 amWhich clone do you recommend?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 06:51:14 am
content: Quote from: tlu on September 02, 2013, 09:24:45 pmUnless you were destitute, what's an extra $50 to get the genuine one?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 08:39:08 am
content: Quote from: TheDirty on September 03, 2013, 04:58:43 am..until you need to use a newer chip that is only supported by the latest Segger software

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 09:02:28 am
content: http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/lpcxpresso/lpclink2.phpi just leave this here, can be programmed to be a jlink wondering about the headers if it will use all of them or to program the onboard dual core mcu

author: SEGGER - Support
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 12:10:03 pm
content: Please keep in mind, that you are ignoring the license of SEGGER's software, if you use it with a clone. The license clearly states:QuoteWithout the software no J-Link clone will work at all. Using a clone breaches the license. The license breach might be enforced by the owner of the software.Best regards,SEGGER Support

author: ju1ce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 02:17:19 pm
content: Quote from: wilfred on September 03, 2013, 02:00:30 pmDigikey has them for 77 AUD, Mouser for a bit more (of course, technically not in Australia).

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 02:19:40 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on September 03, 2013, 08:39:08 amDefinitely possible now considering the turnover on ARM variants.Just go with the EDU. I have to assume you are doing non-commercial. If you are doing commercial work the question of price wouldn't be so much of a concern.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 02:49:04 pm
content: Quote from: TheDirty on September 03, 2013, 02:19:40 pmI found that the LPC18xx under IAR EWB needed the latest Segger driver to work properly

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 03:24:24 pm
content: Quote from: TheDirty on September 03, 2013, 04:58:43 amNeither the Digi-key product page, nor the datasheet it links to make any mention of any license restrictions, and if you use it with, for example IAR EWB, which auto-installs the J-link software you may not see any indication of any restriction (I don't know if it pops up anything if it sees an EDU version connected).

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 03:54:44 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on September 03, 2013, 03:24:24 pmI'm not certain what you are saying here. I'm assuming you are saying that it would be okay to make a commercial product and claim you haven't seen the restriction, but I doubt that would fly.The product page clearly states it cannot be used to develop a product.http://www.segger.com/j-link-edu.html

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 04:54:40 pm
content: Quote from: TheDirty on September 03, 2013, 03:54:44 pmi seriusly doubt anyone will know what that damn device was programmed with

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 05:29:28 pm
content: Quote from: TheDirty on September 03, 2013, 03:54:44 pmThat assumes I look at the Segger product page. If I just go to Digikey, look at the datasheet and buy it, there is no indication of any restriction on use.

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 06:03:10 pm
content: If you use it in combination with IAR, it will dialy give a notice of your license and you have to accept it everytime the J-link is accessed.There is however, a button for 'dont show this for today'.However, it does mean you have to acknowledge their statements.I find their Segger website funny. If you download the software for Jlink EDU with drivers and IAR DLL's etc, it says : "I will not use the Segger J-link EDU with anyillegalclones".What? Cloned hardware isillegal? Or is the software prohibited from being used with that hardware? It doesn't make sense.I wouldn't be too afraid of it. In the end you can always say you wrote the code and it worked first try, so never used the J-link for debugging purposes.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2013, 07:43:22 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on September 03, 2013, 05:29:28 pmThere's almost a 100% chance the product itself has a card or End-User Agreement that says that...I found it interesting when I first saw it as well, and my first thought was that Segger must really be suffering with clones.Quote from: hans on September 03, 2013, 06:03:10 pmYes if it uses patented IP developed by someone else and they did not distribute it freely nor authorized others to do so. I am not sure if this is applicable to non-patented software or Segger products, but I am pretty sure their End-User Agreement forbids this, which makes the "cloner" a liar at best...All in all, I agree that verifying if the debugger was used for a product/non-product is a hard thing to track, but the non-limited Jlink is really not that prohibitive ($240 US dollars, although some countries get a hefty customs/taxes/freight). If one plans to make money with a product designed by it, I really think this does not count too much.I come from an era where an ICE was the price of a very decent car, then a few years later a JTAG was the price of a good used car, then we nowadays have it cheaper than a cellphone.

author: tlu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2013, 03:06:55 am
content: I guess in the end, it all boils down to whether you want the support of Segger for the latest ARM support through their driver/software or not. The clones can get you by but as Mike had mentioned, it has it's limitation on the platform revision.I'm going to shell out the $60 and get the Segger J-Link EDU after all and I'm pretty sure I will be happy with it. One a side question; besides it doing a little more than the Amontec jtagkey-tiny, is there any real advantage over the jtagkey-tiny?

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2013, 08:57:55 am
content: The J-Link supports a wider range of target voltages. The JTAGkey-Tiny has no I/O protection. If you want to work with SWD-only devices the JTAGkey-Tiny requires an external adapter (you may need a header adapter for the J-Link as well, but these are available for cheap on eBay). The J-Link is faster. On the other hand, the JTAGkey-Tiny is much better supported under OpenOCD.

author: tlu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2013, 10:10:08 am
content: Quote from: andersm on September 04, 2013, 08:57:55 amHi andersm, thanks for the feedback on the JTAGkey-Tiny. OpenOCD is mucky to work with if you do not know what you are doing.

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2013, 10:50:55 am
content: There's a bit of a learning curve, but well worth it just not to be bound to what vendors deign to support.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2013, 10:25:35 pm
content: Just in case that not everybody is aware of this:http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/lpcxpresso/lpclink2.phphttp://www.nxp.com/demoboard/OM13054.htmlCan be used as Redlink for LPCXpresso, CMSIS-DAP or Segger J-Link. I understand that J-Link is NXP only, not so sure about the other two modes. I would assume at least the CMSIS-DAP mode should work with all ARM devices. Unfortunately, CMSIS-DAP doesn't work correctly with LPC17xx under CooCox yet, but the J-Link mode and also Redlink mode in LPCXpresso works flawlessly. A case would have been nice though.

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 03:57:35 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on September 09, 2013, 10:25:35 pmJust to add, the Segger license restrictions are extremely restrictive for lpc-link 2. Only eval boards even. Only pointing this out to those that care.Quote

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 07:41:03 pm
content: Agreed. Segger's terms are much too restrictive even for hobby use (also compared to the EDU). Then again, I don't intend to use it as J-Link anyway. Even if it was only a CMSIS-DAP and Redlink debugger, this would still be a bargain.Besides, it's the only possibility (I'm aware of) to use the LPCXpresso IDE for a LPC812 without buying a LCPXpresso board (abd breaking it apart). The possibility to use it with Keil, CooCox (after fixing the current bugs) etc. in CMSIS-DAP mode is a nice bonus and the J-Link part just the icing on the cake.

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 07:52:26 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on September 10, 2013, 07:41:03 pmI noticed there is finally a distributor with lpc812 parts in stock. Mouser has the 20pin tssop in. Unfortunately I don't order from Mouser all that often.

author: pablintino
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 08:03:15 pm
content: Hi guys, it's my first post, but i had this question one month ago.Finally i bought the clone and it was a complete disaster.Lastest drivers work bad with the J-link, for example, crossworks directly doesn't program and keil more or less the same (sometimes works).The original one it's about 60/70 € (including shipping) at Mouser, not too much i think (and you support segger's team, not a "chinesse clon factory").Sorry my English O:-)

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2013, 08:54:29 pm
content: I've had experience with Jlink clones from Olimex, and they are horrible. I had to replug the USB plug every time I closed a debug session. Moreover, it only worked with a very old IAR version.Quote from: rsjsouza on September 03, 2013, 07:43:22 pmI guess they really would be suffering. The hardware isn't much more than a USB microcontroller, voltage regulator and a buffer chip:JLINK hardware. Well within the reach of a chinese cloner to mass produce for 20$.Obviously that's why you have to agree with the educational usage etc.The point I was trying to make is that they claim the cloned hardware is illegal. I can understand their agree box on "you will only use our PC software with Segger hardware" - however, what makes the hardware itself illegal? It's all off the shelf components. The firmware? Yes they can rip their firmware out (their IP..) and use it. However in theory you could also reverse engineer the USB protocol/commands and write compatible firmware. Reverse engineering that deeply isn't even illegal. Depends on country however. Out here in the EU it'snot illegalto disassemble a piece of software to figure out how it works, so you can create a piece of software that can interface or add compatibility with the original piece of software.I'd say the statement "illegal clones" is a bit exaggerated.The J-Link EDU supports unlimited flash breakpoints over the normal J-link. This addon costs 200USD standalone. The J-link PLUS also supports this, but costs 600USD. Although that also adds J-FLASH and RDI, I don't think you would use this daily unless youreallyneed it.So all in all, the JLINK EDU contains ~500USD worth of stuff for about 1/10 the price. The only difference being a license.Nevertheless I agree that programmers & debuggers have become really affordable. But so have much other stuff like low-end digital test equipment.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 10:28:19 am
content: Quote from: TheDirty on September 10, 2013, 07:52:26 pmYep, received some LPC812s from Mouser last week. I would have also ordered some 810s, but they were not in stock back then. The 812 is more interesting anyway if money doesn't really count that much.

author: samofab
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2013, 09:17:06 pm
content: I bought a clone a long long time ago (without realising it, even though the price difference should be dead give-away). I'm using it with gusto ever since, mostly on STM32.Well,.. I clicked on "upgrade firmware" in IAR once at it seemed like it is the end, but then I downgraded to firmware 4.36 and it works again.At 50 USD, if I ever need a new one, I would most definitely buy original.

author: elcomtel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 11:27:22 am
content: So your 'Segger J-Link' clone is not working?Everything you need to know is here....Including a link to the firmware and the procedure.http://www.sonsivri.to/forum/index.php?topic=41726.0;all

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 11:44:29 am
content: QuoteWay too complicated and unnecessary.

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 10:55:30 am
content: I can sympathise with argument to buy genuine products. I went that route myself and felt smug for awhile. And now I regret it.I have bought J-Link EDU V8.0 in 2013 and its support stopped in 2014.It does not work with modern Cortex-M7 cores (announced by ARM in 2014) like STM32F7 for no other reason than marketing.You would be amazed to know that their distributors e.g. Farnell as of 2016 are still selling outdated V8. Even their own shop has it listed as V8http://shop-us.segger.com/J_Link_EDU_p/8.08.90.htmIt's such a mess. I have used it outside work (like licence requires) for playing with some prototypes but now when I need full commercial use product I'd rather not touch anything Segger again.I got latest and gratest ICE kit from silicon manufacturer I am using.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 12:20:32 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on January 17, 2016, 10:55:30 amThat seems pretty sneaky, there is no indication that the EDU V8 does not support M7 except in the user forums. The sales blurb says the EDU supports "all the features of the J-LINK", when clearly it doesn't.Well, Segger invented J-Link and made it a widely supported device. Naturally they will try to capitalise on a market leading position. There are few companies that can afford to establish a market lead and then watch their business gutted by cloners.Segger will have to fight a continuous battle to keep one step ahead of cloners, that will always affect legit users as well. But I think standards like CMSIS-DAP may a bigger trouble for Segger.

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 12:46:44 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on January 17, 2016, 10:55:30 amThe hardware was redesigned between versions 8 and 9, so it's a bit more than "marketing". Segger have a trade-in program for their probes, but I don't believe there is a newer version of the EDU model yet.Thatmay be a marketing decision, since so many people have bought them for decidedly non-educational use.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 01:16:32 pm
content: According to ananswer from Segger support in the forumit sounds like the current EDU version is v9 but admittedly due to lack of information and optical differences, it's hard to judge what you'll get if you don't order from them directly.There should be a table clearly stating the differences between v7/v8/v9 but it doesn't seem to exist (officially).

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 02:27:44 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on January 17, 2016, 01:16:32 pmDo you mean something more than the table inthe manual?

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 02:58:39 pm
content: I actually searched for it in the manual several times before and didn't find it. But you're right, there is a table now in chapter 1.3.2 (Jlink Base) that shows the differences between 8.0, 9.1 and 9.2.This seems to have been added in the latest version dated December 2015. I just looked in a slightly older version of the manual dated June 2015 and the tables don't exist there.As v9 was introduced in 2013, they didn't document the differences for more than 2 years - which is not really customer friendly.Then again, I won't complain. I bought my EDU version in Early 2012, so it was supported with new firmware nearly three years after that and it's still working perfectly fine for Cortex M0/M0+/M3.

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 03:11:13 pm
content: The information has been in the manual for many years, but the format has been changed. I just downloaded a version from 2013, and there's a "Firmware intelligence per model" section with the target support for current and obsolete models (but not separated by hardware revision number).

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 03:36:22 pm
content: Nope. I'm fully aware of that table, but it contains completely different information - and still exists in the newest manual with the same name and content.The "Firmware intelligence per model" table just tells you which models support SWD or JTAG of different families.It is completely pointless for detecting differences between v8 and v9 - as there is just one line for the J-Link (Base) and that is for v8.Or how would you tell that Cortex M4 is supported only by v9 from this table?Well, rhetorical question as even Segger obviously noticed that this information was missing when theyaddedthe new tables in the version from December 2015.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 03:59:58 pm
content: One "problem", depending on your perspective, that hasn't been brought up is: the EDU version is encumbered with restrictions about how you are allowed to use the hardware. Not sure how seriously you take those. Personally I try, when possible (sadly, becoming less possible these days) to avoid buying anything that makes me promise when I buy it not to use it in certain ways. If you're the sort who cares about the ethics of clones, maybe that will also matter to you.In short: I do have a clone, bought in a moment of sudden need, which I've come to regret spending money on. I don't use it anymore. I can't afford an expensive "real" J-Link, and I refuse to buy the EDU on principle. So I just avoid Segger. *insert rude gesture here*

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 10:01:29 pm
content: QuoteBoth V8 and V9 can be made to support the latest IDEs. Whether YOU can make them work for your IDE is answerable only by you.I would say if you aren't terribly skilled in software or you don't have much time to kill, get the real deal - it is worth every penny, especially if you are eligible for the EDU version.

author: photon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 10:16:45 pm
content: I also bought the EDU version and I do not recommend it. It is not supported by Segger and there is no way for an individual to support it other than hack it, which sort of defeats the purpose of it.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 10:23:06 pm
content: Hm, again I don't see any proof that the support for the EDU version was canceled. It's just that the v8 version doesn't get firmware updates anymore - whether it's EDU or not.Taking into account that v9 was introduced in 2013, there was more than two years of support for v8 after the hardware became obsolete which isn't so bad after all, is it?And honestly I don't find the EDU restrictions so limiting at all. It's restricted to non commercial use but you pay only a sixth of the price for it. Also to be fair, have a look at what other professional grade JTAG probes cost (e.g. Lauterbach and the like).

author: photon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 10:39:23 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on January 17, 2016, 10:23:06 pmThere has never been support for the EDU. If it does not work you can ask a question on their public forum. The only guys knowledgeable to answer these question are Segger engineers and they are too busy supporting paying customers to answer meaningfully.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 10:43:11 pm
content: OK, I thought you meant "support" in the sense of supported by the tool or with firmware updates. I think it's pretty much clear that for $60 you can't expect the same level of support as a commercial customer.Try ask NXP (or any other company) about issues with their controllers from a private mail account and you get the same kind of support (namely none).

author: photon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 10:57:23 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on January 17, 2016, 10:43:11 pmThe difference between NXP and Segger is that NXP only supports NXP while Segger supports NXP, STM, TI, ... (well above 1000 different micro boards). One can be sure that a specific NXP micro board will work. One definitely cannot be sure that Segger will work on that NXP micro board.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 11:35:13 pm
content: I'm not sure I get that argument. I understand you say it' OK for NXP to give zero support to private customers as a giant company for their own CPUs and development tools and you expect better support from a very small company that needs to support hundreds of microcontrollers?Anyway, I'd suggest you write a mail to the Lauterbach support from a private mail account for a 7k€ debug tool and test what kind of support you get there. Honestly, not even as big customer with hundreds of commercial licenses their support is all that great.

author: Sal Ammoniac
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 03:41:48 am
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on January 17, 2016, 10:55:30 amFor STM32 parts, including the STM32F7, just get a $20 ST-LINK/V2. Cheap and without the nasty restrictions of the J-Link EDU.

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 09:57:33 am
content: Well what do you know...I also happen to haveSAM-ICEwhich is just a rebranded J-Link locked to only work with Atmel ARMs and functionally more restricted than J-Link EDU.My SAM-ICE is also V8.0 and has been bought in 2012 so even older than my V8.0 EDU but amazingly it does work with Cortex-M7 from Atmel.The argument that J-Link EDU V8.0 hardware is incapable of supporting Cortex-M7 does not hold water.The answer to the topic question is "Neither. Go Segger-free and get something like Black Magic Probe. If you use mostly the same supplier get their own debugger.

author: kolonelkadat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 10:06:53 am
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on January 17, 2016, 10:55:30 amshit seriously? can anyone confirm whether mouser/digikey are selling v8 or v9 like right now? I was just about to buy one, glad i didnt.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 11:16:02 am
content: Since the v9 was introduced in 2013 that must bereallyold stock. Anyway, letting aside if there are technical reasons for not supporting certain CPUs on v8 or not, it must be clear that with all the v8 clones on eBay, moving to a new hardware was most probably a necessary step to save their business.

author: eck
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 01:22:35 pm
content: Quote from: kolonelkadat on January 18, 2016, 10:06:53 amNo idea what Segger is thinking, but the version number 8.08.90 has nothing to do with the HW version, it seems it's just the model version:http://forum.segger.com/index.php?page=Thread&postID=6194#post6194But probably better to ask directly from Mouser or DigiKey.

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 02:03:47 pm
content: I know you want to know what's inside. AT91SAM7S64 and two 74ALVC164245 level translators.

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 02:26:16 pm
content: In the rev 9 hardware, the microcontroller was changed to an STM32F205. Some of the higher-end models use an MCU+FPGA combo.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 06:01:47 pm
content: Quote from the support forum:Quote

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 06:05:58 pm
content: This is a blast from the past. I'm in the 2013 convo.I just bought a J-Link EDU from Digikey about two months ago and my version number on the bottom is 9.3. No regrets. It's been working without issue with CM3, CM0, and CM0+ parts so far. Only annoying thing is that daily legal notice when doing the first programming/debugging session.

author: eck
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 06:07:51 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on January 18, 2016, 09:57:33 amJust tested if I can debug a Cortex M4 (STM32F407) with my V8 version, which according to the documentation should not work, and lo and behold, no problems there either.

author: kolonelkadat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 11:42:06 pm
content: Quote from: eck on January 18, 2016, 01:22:35 pmthe official word from mouser is "Sorry, but we don't provide version information."Quote from: TheDirty on January 18, 2016, 06:05:58 pmgood lookin out man. i appreciate it.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 11:58:15 pm
content: Quote from: kolonelkadat on January 18, 2016, 11:42:06 pmThey're useless. DigiKey actually check, I've had to do that a couple times.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 12:02:17 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on January 18, 2016, 11:48:36 pmSegger are ridiculously strict about this. From what I've seen, if you even mention one of the clone serial numbers (they pretty much all have the same SN) on their forum, they just instaban you. I can see why they do it, but it's not a very good look...

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 12:43:21 am
content: Somewhat understandable. It's a small company. Look at their "head office":

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 02:37:23 am
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on January 18, 2016, 09:57:33 amAt first glance I can't spot any major differences between a M4 and a M7 from a JTAG/debug subsystem standpoint. If the V8 is locked out of this platform, perhaps it is via a software lock.Quote from: eck on January 18, 2016, 06:07:51 pm+1. I have a full Jlink (no EDU) and was able to debug a TM4C129, but unfortunately I do not have a M7 to try.Quote from: c4757p on January 19, 2016, 12:02:17 amIMHO I don't think it looks bad at all. Someone that is using a clone and is looking for direct support from their forum is a no customer for them.

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 09:32:53 am
content: I personally tried to be reasonable - it's not hard. If I remember correctly you can't use EDU for commercial projects anywhere and you can't use it for any purpose on commercial property (in the office.) So I used it at home for playing with some open-ended prototypes I have made at work for the purpose of learning specific toolchain and silicon brand. I think it falls under educational use and I stuck to my side of the bargain.On the other hand the fact that they stopped support after 1 year from the moment I bought it from official dealer has crossed them out from my list of reputable companies. It does not really matter if the reason is counterfitting, bored developer in a cubicle or a new suit in marketing. SWD is consistent across all Cortex-Ms and V8 hardware is fully capable of supporting M7s as identical hardware (SAM-ICE) proves. We are not talking about ETM trace with live execution trace where you need speed and storage. SWD, SWO, JTAG is just pin toggling at few MHz rate.Wise man said "one chip - one debugger." The last thing I expected is being unable to program a new Cortex-M prototype I built. "I have a genuine Segger and I used it before" - I thought. When I bought it I remember looking at gazillions of parts it can support and thinking "this is for life!" In fact it has only seen three chips from two manufacturers in its short life.Now what do you think will happen with lovely genuine EDU when you start seeing V9.3 EDU on Alibaba for £15 and free delivery? Exactly.

author: photon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 01:48:20 am
content: Another issue with the EDU version of J-Link is that you do not get all the licenses you need. You only find this out after you buy the probe. For example, you cannot use J-Flash to download a program to flash. Really. So you are on your own to download a program to a micro's flash. This alone makes the tool almost worthless.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 11:32:52 am
content: Quote from: photon on January 21, 2016, 01:48:20 amYou're right that EDU doesn't contain the license for J-Flash. It' still possible to reprogram or dump through a command line interface if you don't want to delve into the depths of keygens and the like.Then again, as you usually reprogram through a GUI anyway, that's only a minor setback. I find it more irritating that the same limitation applies to the $400 J-Link Base.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 12:05:26 pm
content: " This alone makes the tool almost worthless."I would love to take that worthless piece of shit off your hand,

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 12:06:40 pm
content: Just because someone is selling its product at a price level beyond your reach doesn't mean you are entitled to steal it.

author: photon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 06:21:53 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on January 21, 2016, 11:32:52 amThat I did not know. If I understand you, you are saying that if I run J-Flash in a dos shell I will be able to program the flash. I will try this.Also, if you do not mind sharing, could you tell me what keygens is.Thanks for the info.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 07:07:29 pm
content: No, what I meant is there is a program called "J-Link Commander" which is a command line interface for reprogramming, dumping and the like.Like to reprogram you can use "loadbin" and to dump "savebin". Details are described in the J-Link user manual.It's not fancy, but should provide the same functionality as J-Flash.See also e.g. here:http://community.silabs.com/t5/32-bit-MCU-Knowledge-Base/Using-JLink-Commander-to-program-flash/ta-p/133136

author: photon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 07:35:41 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on January 21, 2016, 07:07:29 pmThanks.I note that the instructions in the link you give include "device EFM32GG990F1024". So, it seems you must rely on the fact that J-Link knows the Flash in the micro before you can use "loadbin". So, if you try to use J-Link with a micro they do not support, you cannot use loadbin. Is this true?.Also, suppose I wanted to use loadbin to load an M0 program into SRAM instead of Flash. Does this work?Again, thanks for the help.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 10:28:41 pm
content: Hi, even with J-Flash you need to select a device so the tool can select the correct device setup (memory layout etc.).Regarding loading to RAM: I guess it should be possible with the correct setup. I'd think it should work something like this(assuming your binary is already mapped in RAMCode:device <device>si 1speed autorhloadbin <firmware.bin>,<address>setpc <address>goBut never tried this. There is a Segger support forum though where surely someone can give you better hints.

author: abyrvalg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 10:49:39 am
content: loadbin doesn't program flash! It is for loading into RAM

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 11:18:50 am
content: But that's what he asked for!?Quote

author: abyrvalg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 07:26:30 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on January 21, 2016, 07:07:29 pmIt doesn't. J-Flash has flash loaders and sector maps for this, commander doesn't.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 08:07:56 pm
content: Quote from: abyrvalg on January 27, 2016, 07:26:30 pmI'm not sure I can follow you there. As far as I recall, you can program bin files at any address, J-Link Commander will erase the sectors automatically and select the correct flash algorithm. So it has to know the flash sector map and it has to have proper flash algorithms (if that is what you mean with "loaders"). That's why you have to select the device. Actually, you can do quite a few things that J-Flash can't like setting breakpoints and the like, but I never did this.Admittedly, the command line interface is something to get used to, but you can put all the commands in a script and execute that from a batchfile or whatever.A 2nd problem with programming through J-Link Commander is that it only accepts binary (bin) files. However, even without a license, you can use J-Flash to create a bin from hex/mot to bin.And of course there are lots of other tools for hex/mot/bin conversion.Anyway, there is also a little tool called "J-FLash Lite" in the default software package that let's you reprogram through a minimalist GUI without a J-Flash license if that's what you want.Unfortunately, whoever did this was too lazy to allow sizing of the initial device selection dialog, so you can't read the text if you're using a non-standard text size (DPI scaling > 100).That's something you could excuse for a ten year old in his/her 1st program. Even as free tool in a commercial package, it's somewhat embarrassing. Still, it works. Any hey, you can even load mot/hex directly.Letting aside the GUI scaling issues, the only things J-Flash Lite can't do is to dump or to unlock the device if this is needed. Then you need to go back to J-Link Commander.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 07:04:22 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on October 07, 2013, 11:44:29 amnot necessarily complicated. just follow/download SAM-BA guide as discussed there if the clone is bricked, download fw fromhttp://www.vxworks6.com/2beanet/embedded/arm/458-jlink-v8-schematic-and-firmware.htmlas ones backup. edit some bytes in the *.bin and *.dll at some location offsets. i think i can follow it, much easier than cracking the rigol dso fw i guess. but since my clone is working with uVision5 now (by resisting upgrade) i dont need to do all that for now, but i'm documenting and downloading the necesssary files in case i need it in the future... in case you need the latest driver rev, just crack 1 or 2 bytes in the *.dll as outlined there..

author: GromBeestje
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 06:12:13 pm
content: Segger has recently released a new model, EDU mini, (https://www.segger.com/news/segger-introduces-j-link-edu-mini-a-low-cost-j-link-for-education/)for only € 17,85.

author: Sal Ammoniac
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2017, 04:58:09 pm
content: Quote from: GromBeestje on July 30, 2017, 06:12:13 pmInteresting. Thanks for posting that.It looks like the big differences between it and the standard J-Link are: 1/5 the download speed, SWD only. The Segger website implies that it only supports Cortex-M (the standard J-Link supports ARM7/9 and Cortex-A/R/M).

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2017, 03:45:59 am
content: Rev 10 J-Link edu

author: mac.6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2017, 08:40:41 am
content: Quote from: Sal Ammoniac on July 31, 2017, 04:58:09 pmIt's pretty much the J-link you got on some dev board. Fully functional but slow.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2017, 10:11:22 pm
content: Quote from: Sal Ammoniac on July 31, 2017, 04:58:09 pmIts a bit annoying that they only mention the speed limitation in this news release. I read the product page:https://www.segger.com/products/debug-probes/j-link/models/j-link-edu-mini/and manual and didn't notice it anywhere there.Its nice to see though, the fact that $2 stlinks have been around for a while seemed to stir up some innovative ideas.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2017, 06:30:00 am
content: I am wondering this: what if I bought a J-Link clone, took it apart, and loaded CMSIS-DAP firmware on it before using it?Also what if I took the J-Link clone (with the likely pirated or reverse engineered Seeger firmware,) but instead of using the Segger software, used OpenOCD from day one?Also what if instead of the clone I did the above using a genuine J-Link EDU?

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2017, 11:49:21 am
content: Jlink + Ozone is worth the price. Get a real one and don't support the clones.

author: Sal Ammoniac
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2017, 03:57:10 pm
content: Quote from: ehughes on August 10, 2017, 11:49:21 amHear hear! Companies should compete with Segger by developing a better product, not by copying their existing product.

author: zelea2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2020, 09:20:12 pm
content: Read this if you want to see the differences between a genuine and clone J-Linkhttps://uglyduck.vajn.icu/ep/archive/2019/05/Unbricking_a_SEGGER_J_Link_v9_debug_probe.html