More inexpensive sources for ARM debug headers / cables?  Or temp. alternative? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: evb149
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 04:22:31 pm
content: Hi all, quick question, when you're sourcing the mini ARM style debug male headers and compatible female-to-female short-ish ribbon cable jumpers which sources / part numbers do you use?Or do many of you use some kind of pogo pin / temporary sort of debug wire to board setup that doesn't actually mount permanently on the target board? Similar concept to these:http://www.tag-connect.com/I found FFSD-05-D-06.00-01-N for the cable assemblyAnd for the male SMD PCB header I found FTSH-105-01-F-DV-K.Both from Samtec which are good / fine but starting to get expensive for using more of them and I assume there are other equivalent models / vendors / distributors that'd work out much better for 10 or 25 pieces or so. What do you use?https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/samtec-inc/FTSH-105-01-F-DV-K/SAM8796-ND/2649974https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/samtec-inc/FFSD-05-D-06.00-01-N/SAM8218-ND/1106577

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 05:14:51 pm
content: This ebay sellerhttp://www.ebay.com/usr/yixue2010has all the connectors and cables you will need for cheap. I'm not associated with them, just a happy customer.Here is for example a listing for non-shrouded 10-pin Cortex-M debug connectorhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/50Pcs-Gold-Plated-1-27mm-Pitch-2x5-Pin-10-Pin-Male-Double-Straight-Header-Strip-/172290852917?hash=item281d55c835:g:kcEAAOSwZVlXnviO- $6 / 50 pcs.If you want shrouded version, they have it as well -http://www.ebay.com/itm/50Pcs-1-27mm-Pitch-2x5Pin-10-Pin-Straight-Male-Shrouded-Box-Header-IDC-Connector-/172311876365?hash=item281e96930d:g:9TcAAOSw65FXttuL- $25 / 50 pcs.And I just make my own cables from parts from the same seller.And for what it is worth, I absolutely have tag connect or similar connectors for debugging. They are bulky and take the same or bigger board area as standard connectors that can go directly to all standard tools.

author: andyturk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 05:25:12 pm
content: The TC-20x0 connectors are pretty handy. I've used them on a number of projects. They're pricey (comparatively speaking), but only used by developer folks so not a big outlay of cash.If you go that route, I'd avoid the "no legs" version. For regular debugging, you want the debug cable to stay attached to the target board and the ones without legs require you to either hold it on, or use a tiny backing board that grabs the mounting pins by friction. Those things wear out eventually and lose their grip.Other than that, the TC cables are great. I put them on every board with an mcu.

author: evb149
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 08:26:41 pm
content: Thank you very much, ataradov, and andyturk. I will look into those connector and cable models / vendor options.The discrete parts do sound attractively priced and the TC cable although not "standard" and not really smaller footprint is still interesting as a possibility. I imagine I'll use discrete headers sometimes and maybe try out TC for other projects depending on what kind / frequency of debugging / ISP access I will need for the target situation.Almost seems like a missed opportunity for someone like mill-max to come out with a pre-molded high density spring pin or something matrix with some kind of FFC or other cable termination that you could use to get serial debug / power / ISP etc. to a target in a 4x4mm or whatever matrix with some kind of PCB retention too. I guess basically something closer to a smaller and "one piece" TC implementation.

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 07:29:41 am
content: I use the Tag-Connects. The nice thing is you only ever need the cable, never a board connector. It's just a footprint with nothing to populate!