Open Source Firmware Conference 2023

DAPLink: the side-kick to your next project?
2023-10-12 , Main Track

DAPLink is an Open Source firmware from Arm based on CMSIS-DAP. The main goal of CMSIS-DAP is turning microcontrollers into debug probes (SWD, JTAG, SWO). DAPLink adds many features on top (Drag and drop flashing, serial adapter, bootloader updates, WebUSB, etc.) which is why it has been included in many development boards or on discrete entry-level probes. Projects like the BBC micro:bit have shown how the features of DAPLink can be used and extended to go beyond an on PCB debug probe and become an integral part of a project.


DAPLink is an Open Source firmware from Arm based on CMSIS-DAP. The main goal of CMSIS-DAP is turning microcontrollers into debug probes (SWD, JTAG, SWO). DAPLink adds many features on top (Drag and drop flashing, serial adapter, bootloader updates, WebUSB, etc.) which is why it has been included in many development boards or on discrete entry-level probes. Projects like the BBC micro:bit have shown how the features of DAPLink can be used and extended to go beyond an on PCB debug probe and become an integral part of a project.

This talk will present:
- What CMSIS-DAP is and its different iterations.
- The history, architecture and features of DAPLink.
- The new features of the latest DAPLink releases (e.g. support for the GNU Arm Embedded Toolchain, new interface microcontrollers supported, etc.).
- How DAPLink's customizability and extensibility is being leveraged by projects like the BBC micro:bit.
- Ideas for the future roadmap of DAPLink.

See also: Slides (1.6 MB)

Mathias Brossard is a Principal Security Architect at Arm.