Olimex Support Forum

ARM => NXP => Topic started by: bradleyr436 on September 22, 2025, 12:45:04 AM

Title: How to setup LPC2378-STK and does it require JTAG?
Post by: bradleyr436 on September 22, 2025, 12:45:04 AM
I have this brand new board from digikey, powered on, LCD lit up, USB cable into the PC computer,  have setup the IAR Embedded workbench, got a demo license, so its all set.  Tried a sample program but it gets an ERROR no JTAG found.

Any ideas or what configuration to use?  or anything besides IAR that will work to compile/run/debug?

What is the JTAG it wants to see?  I had purchased an FTDI/usb interface device, then hadnt used it, will that work for a jtag interface?

Ive done jtag programming 20 years ago on some debugger tools, but now its getting setup again from scratch.

Expected this to run via the USB port?  to control/upload, any ideas greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: How to setup LPC2378-STK and does it require JTAG?
Post by: LubOlimex on September 22, 2025, 08:12:01 AM
JTAG is not required since you can use the on-board bootloader but it is recommended since a JTAG tools allows for easier debugging and programming.

All software and tools that were previously available on the CD are now available for download at the product's page here: https://www.olimex.com/Products/ARM/NXP/LPC2378-STK/
 
If you are a beginner I would recommend you to download the free time-limited version of IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM and use this demo in the beginning: https://www.olimex.com/Products/ARM/NXP/LPC2378-STK/resources/LPC2378-STK-examples.zip
 
Some extra information:
 
LPC2378-STK is a general-purpose ARM development board. You can use any software development tools that are compatible with the board's main chip – LPC2378 manufactured by NXP. The basic setup for research and development for such a general purpose board consists of two main parts and one optional part:
 
1. Development board or target
2. Software tools that allow you to debug and compile code and to upload it to the board via one of the available programming interfaces;
(optional) 3. Debugger, programmer or emulator tool; or ability to enter bootloader mode + suitable software for the bootloader; note that it is highly recommended to use an ARM JTAG debugger for serious research work, it saves a lot of time and allows real time hardware debugging.
 
We are hardware manufacturers and to prove that our hardware works fine we also provide software examples. However, in general, we don't maintain, nor distribute the software tools that were used to create and compile these examples. We use the tools created and maintained by companies focused in the software development for embedded systems.
 
In the case of LPC2378-STK, we used IAR EW for ARM version 6.30 to write a pretty good software example, that demonstrates most of the features of the board. IAR Systems is a Swedish computer software company that offers development tools for embedded systems and they have been doing it for more than 30 years.
 
Of course, you can use a wide range of tools – including completely open software tools as long as they have support for LPC2378. However, you might need to use generic examples that would require editing before working with all the hardware of the board. You can use OpenOCD and Eclipse setups; you can use Rowley Crossworks for ARM; etc etc. Note that completely open software tools like OpenOCD, Eclipse, and so on, might be very hard for initial setup by a beginner.
 
Title: Re: How to setup LPC2378-STK and does it require JTAG?
Post by: bradleyr436 on September 22, 2025, 11:55:52 PM
HI thanks so much, I love learning, not a beginner but always open to learn;  I wired up an 8085, added switches, hex displays, designed from scratch, wire wrapped it, used cardboard for holding the led's and displays.  worked just fine, that was around 1986;  I got to work on mainframe cpus/systems, microcode, next address, rtl and loved it.

worked with alot of different boards, worked as a tech troubleshooting and repairing.  Took a UC extension on internet appliance design in 2000 using a board like this; never got to immerse in it like I hoped.

This wouldve been a workaround board for a place i worked, dont recall if it was IAR but they had the top license, took a week to get a key, had all the options; that was on their work laptop and  didnt get to do much at all.

so now I want to try things and learn this processor, so yes Im a beginner at this nxp chip.  Next one i need to master is the RISC V

problem is budget, the one jtag tool is $500?  Isnt there a setup thru the usb to jtag thats less? 

If the examples setup the register maps? as it looks like they do?  Wonderful, and processor type and all? 

What would you recommend for jtag debugging?  and I havent found the usb bootloader or how to maybe blink an led?  or print on the LCD by way of usb just for now?

Thanks so much