All‑in‑One Docker Image for NXP MCUXpresso, VS Code and CI/CD Pipeline

Working with different toolchains, different versions and targets can be very challenging. To simplify the setup and distribution of the development environment I’m using the concept of containers.

I’m using different Docker images and containers for development and automated CI/CD integration. In the past weeks I have extended, simplified and consolidated my work flows. For example I have now an image with the MCUXpresso tools, with everything running in a container: both locally on my machine with Docker, with VS Code, and the same integrated in the CI/CD pipeline:

Running MCUXpresso Tools in Container
Running MCUXpresso Tools in Container

It not only simplifies my development flow: the same way I can easily deploy the installation and setup for a class room lab environment: basically everything is only one click away.

Continue reading →

Debug Probe Identification with a Blinky

The latest NXP MCUXpresso VS Code extension and LinkServer software included a small but very helpful feature for me: the ability to identify a connected probe with a blinky:

Probe identification with a LED
Debug Probe identification with a Blinky

Continue reading →

NXP LinkServer Adds Standalone Power & Energy Measurement

NXP has released a new LinkServer v26.9.130. And it comes with a major new feature: it now includes power and energy measurement:

LinkServer standalone measurement GUI
LinkServer standalone measurement GUI

Additionally, it has a command line interface for this, making it ideal for AI agent usage or for automated tests in a CI/CD environment.

Continue reading →

Explore Freedom of Choice with Debug Extensions for NXP and Cortex-Debug

I’m using different MCUS from NXP with VS Code, and for this I’m mostly using the NXP MCUXpresso extension for VS Code.

At the same time, I’m using the cortex-debug extension for other ARM Cortex-M based MCUs, for example the Raspberry Pi Pico series.

Does it makes sense to use cortex-debug for NXP devices, and what would be the benefit? More precise: can I use the NXP MCU-Link (LinkServer based) debug probes with cortex-debug, to debug another NXP MCU?

MCU-Link (right) debugging a MCU-Link Pro (LPC55S69, right) with cortex-debug
NXP MCU-Link (right) debugging a NXP MCU-Link Pro (LPC55S69, right)
Continue reading →

Semihosting with LinkServer in VS Code

For an university research project, I need to write some console output and the same time write a file with data from the embedded board to the host. A logical choice for this is using semihosting.

Semihosting with LinkServer in VS Code
Semihosting with LinkServer in VS Code
Continue reading →

Visualize Embedded Power Data in VS Code

With the NXP MCU-Link Pro I can measure current and power/energy of an embedded target. In this article I describe how I can use and visualize that data in VS Code:

Measurement Data in VS Code
Current Measurement Data Visualization with VS Code
Continue reading →

NXP LinkServer Now Supports ARM 64-bit for Enhanced Development

The latest release of the NXP LinkServer supports ARM 64bit (Debian) besides Windows, Linux and MacOS. With this, I can now develop on an NXP i.MX board. Plus, this enables an inexpensive way for automated on-target tests and CI/CD.

LinkServer running on Raspberry Pi
Continue reading →

3D Printed Rugged Enclosure for MCU-Link Pro

The 3D Printed Rugged Enclosure for NXP MCU-Link Debug Probe has been very useful. I wanted to design something similar for the ‘MCU-Link Pro‘ version of that debug probe. There there is already a laser-cut enclosure for the probe itself. I used the same stack-able rugged box for the debug probe plus all the cables.

NXP MCU-Link Pro Enclosure
NXP MCU-Link Pro Enclosure
Continue reading →

Using Windows USB Devices and Debug Probes inside Docker Dev Container

Docker or Development Container are great for isolation. And they work very well with things outside which are TCP/IP based. But most debug probes are USB only. Docker container don’t work well with USB. In Remote Debugging with DevContainer and VS Code, I showed how to use USB based debug probes. I demonstrated using them with an IP connection. In this article I show how Windows USB devices can be used from a container, with the help of usbipd.

usb shared between windows and linux container
USB shared between windows and Linux container
Continue reading →