1
Installing MCU-Link and Updating Firmware2
Using MCU-Link with MCUXpresso IDE3
Setting Up MCU-Link with 3rd Party IDEs4
Using Other Serial Terminal ProgramsSign in to save your progress. Don't have an account? Create one.
Setting up your MCU-Link is very simple. The first step is to download the driver information files and utility to update the firmware. Note that MCUXpresso IDE 11.2.1 or later will automatically install the driver information files. You can either watch the video below for Windows installation, or follow the steps to install MCU-Link:
The first step is to download the MCU-LINK Installer for your host operating system. After downloading, run the installer.
Something went wrong! Please try again.
Although MCU-Link comes with firmware installed, it is recommended that you update to the latest version. To perform the update:
J3
J3
and then reconnect to the computerSomething went wrong! Please try again.
MCU-Link will enumerate 3 devices when fully installed -a CMSIS-DAP device and Trace port under HID devices, plus a VCOM port under Ports.
Something went wrong! Please try again.
MCUXpresso IDE will automatically detect MCU-Link, just as it does with other supported probes (note version 11.1 or later are supported but 11.2.1 or later is recommended). The MCU-Link VCOM feature is independent of the IDE, but the built-in Serial terminal feature of MCUXpresso IDE can be used with it.
See this short tutorial video for an overview of using MCU-Link with MCUXpresso IDE:
Something went wrong! Please try again.
MCU-Link can be used with IDEs from our partners, such as Arm Keil uVISION and IAR Embedded Workbench. Setup is straightforward, as with any other CMSIS-DAP probe.
Install the latest version IAR available. The version must be at least, IAR Embedded Workbench IDE for Arm 8.40.2.
Something went wrong! Please try again.
Something went wrong! Please try again.
Note: First production MCU-Link inserts have an error in the VCOM connection diagram. Please use the version on this site instead.
MCU-Link's VCOM feature can be used with serial terminal emulation programs such as PuTTY Tutorial and Tera Term Tutorial. Setup is as with similar VCOM devices. Most MCUXpresso SDK examples will use a configuration of 115200 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. To determine the port number of the MCU-Link virtual COM port, open the device manager and look under the "Ports" group (as shown earlier).
Tera Term is a very popular open source terminal emulation application. This program can be used to display information sent from your NXP development platform's virtual serial port.
PuTTY is a popular terminal emulation application. This program can be used to display information sent from your NXP development platform's virtual serial port.
*.exe
file you downloaded or from the Start menu, depending on the type of download you selectedLearn more about the MCU-Link with design tips, training documents, and the NXP Community. If you need additional help, contact NXP Support.
Connect with other engineers and get expert advice on designing with the MCU-Link on one of our community sites.