USB blaster alternative connector

[lutzek]

Hello,

I'm thinking about adding smaller connector to my PCB to connect USB Blaster. so there would be small PCB with 10-pin header on the top side and small SMD connector on the bottom. I'm woried about signal integrity. As far as I remember TCK frequency for USB blaster is 24MHz and it can be slowed down 6MHz but no more. This is maybe not a DDR3, but still can make a lot of troubles. Do you think it's a good idea?

Assuming, that I will work with standard 10-pin THT connector - do you recommend signal-integrity analysis if traces are shorter than 15mm?

Thank you for support.

Best regards

[YuanLi_S_Intel]

Hi Lutzek,

If we have the luxury to do simulation, why not? It is much better than if we need to rebuild the board which will cost higher.

Thank You.

Bruce

[lutzek]

Hi, thank you for your answer. Do you think, that using alternate, smaller connector for JTAG is a good idea, or the interface is optimized to work with header 5x2?

[YuanLi_S_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hi,

The small connector means lesser pin?

I think it would be better if we could use the 5x2 header as it is required for the JTAG.

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/ug/ug_usb_blstr.pdf (Page 4)

Thank You.

[tentner]

Hi,

maybe this is of interest for you:

https://www.entner-electronics.com/en/eeblaster.html

We have never observed issues regarding signal integrity, to answer your question.

Regards,

Thomas