4.4  Configuring the LPCXpresso546x8/540xx/54S0xx to debug an 
external target 
The LPCXpresso546x8/540xx/54S0xx board’s Link2 Debug Probe may be used to debug 
an off-board target MCU.  The on-board Link2 Debug Probe is capable of debugging 
target MCU’s with a VDDIO range of 1.6V to 3.6V.  To keep the on-board target 
LPC546x8/540xx/54S0xx MCU from interfering with the SWD interface, JP1 must be 
fitted.  The Link2 Debug Probe SWD should be connected by a ribbon cable between the 
P1 connector to the off-board target MCU SWD interface.  Power the 
LPCXpresso546x8/540xx/54S0xx board from the Link USB connector J8, and fit jumper 
JP2 across pins 2 - 3 (External Target).  
5.  Troubleshooting debug sessions 
In some cases, the ability to make a debug connection can be lost due to the LPC54xxx 
target running code that does not allow the host debugger system to gain control of it. 
Some reasons for this can be: 
•  Application code causing a hard fault 
•  Application code disabling the SWD debug port pins 
•  On LP54S0xx devices, the boot image has an invalid header 
In many cases, the board can be put back in a state where the debugger can gain control 
by using the ISP buttons and pressing and releasing the reset button (for example, 
holding down ISP0 to force the LPC54xxx device into the serial ISP boot mode). If 
problems persist with ISP mode entry being required, try mass erasing the flash (on-
board flash in the case of LPC546xx device, or quad SPI flash in the case of 
LPC54S018/LPC54018 devices); this can be done using the MCUXpresso IDE device 
programming utility. 
 
LPC540xx/54S0xx devices do not have any pull-ups enabled at reset, and in cases 
where an application is using the SDRAM this could cause the EMC_D2 through 
EMC_D4 signals to be driven by that device (since the P1_12 port of the 
LPC540xx/54S0xx could be floating). Since these signals are shared with the ISP0-2 
pins, an undesired ISP boot mode could be inadvertently selected. In these situations, try 
removing power for several second, then hold down ISP0 reconnecting power to the 
board. 
6.  Board power connections & measurement 
The LPCXpresso546x8/540xx/54S0xx board requires +5V input to power the on-board 
voltage regulators which in turn power the Link2 Debug Probe and other +3.3V circuits, 
the LPC546x8/540xx/54S0xx target and other +1.8V circuits, and the Arduino +5V and 
+3.3V power rails. When the main external power source is from the Link2 side USB 
micro B-type connector (J8), both the Link side and LPC546x8/540xx/54S0xx Target 
sections of the board are powered.  When the main external power is from the power 
only USB micro B-type connector (J1), or one of more of the USB device ports (USB0 at 
J3 or USB1 at J2), only the LPC546x8/540xx/54S0xx target and supporting devices and 
peripherals are powered.