Serial port JTAG programmer

serial-port-jtag-programmer

If you're planning to do some hacking with CPLD or FPGA chips you'll need a way to program them. JTAG is one of the options and here's a cheap method that uses the serial port (translated). This method requires only four signals (TDI, TMS, TCK and TDO) plus ground. But the problem is that an RS232 serial port operates with 12V logic levels and the JTAG side of the programmer needs to operate … [Read more...]

Versaloon ported to STM8 and STM32 discovery boards

versaloon-on-stm8

[Bingo] did some work porting Versaloon for STM8 and STM32 discovery boards. Versaloon is a multiple-architecture programmer that we saw a few weeks back. At its center is an STM32 microprocessor, which greatly simplifies the work necessary to use the two discovery boards instead. Flashing the firmware to the boards will zap the ST-link firmware and [Bingo] doesn't know of a way to restore that … [Read more...]

Versaloon can program hardware from several manufacturers

versaloon-nano

Versaloon is an open source, USB connected project, that centers around an STM32 processor and provides a standard JTAG pinout. Above you see the Nano version which has a 10-pin JTAG connector, but there is also a 20-pin option on the Handy model. Great, another JTAG programmer. Well this can do a bit more than that. With a bit of help from the software it has been turned into a programmer for ten … [Read more...]

Revive a DockStar and get so much more

You know those days where you don't feel like you can write anything? And then an hour later there is an article infront of you? Of course you don't, you don't work for HAD, GTFO. Just kidding, we love you guys.

[Firestorm_v1] has done a fabulous writeup on not only resurrecting his dead DockStar with JTAG, but also includes some handy techniques and useful information that could be used with other hardware and JTAG equipped devices. The tutorial itself goes into the details of finding the JTAG, correctly identifying the ports and making an adapter cable. Then wiring a TIAO Parallel JTAG kit and … [Read more...]

JTAG programming over a network

router-jtag-programmer

[Matt Evans] was running up against the common programming gotcha caused by disappearing parallel ports. For years he had used a JTAG parallel cable when working with FPGAs but recently realized he no longer owned any machines with that interface available. Instead of shelling out $50 for a USB programmer he a programming interface from an old router.What he's doing is bit-banging using Linux. In … [Read more...]

freeBOOT gives the Xbox 360 JTAG hack new life

xbox360-freeBOOT-exploit

There has been another development in the never-ending battle that is Microsoft trying to keep its gaming system closed to unauthorized use. Xbox-scene reports that a new hack called freeBOOT v0.01 allows the Xbox 360 to upgrade to the newer kernels, but allows the option of rebooting to an older kernel in order use the JTAG exploit and gain access to the hardware. In case you missed it, the … [Read more...]

Parts: Unboxing the Bus Pirate

bp-unbox-1

For months we've used our Bus Pirate universal serial interface tool to demonstrate electronics parts, so it's only appropriate that the Bus Pirate get it's own parts post. We recently had a Bus Pirate preorder, and today we received the pre-production Bus Pirate prototype from Seeed Studio. This prototype was mailed just a few days before preorder 1 started to ship, so those packages should … [Read more...]