ARM SWD headers

ARM SWD headers
Posted by alanambrose on 13 Aug, 2014 15:52
Pah, I don't understand, the standard SWD header seems to be the Samtec FTSH-105-01-L-DV-K. But no-one seems to stock them. What _do_ the ARM community do? Last time I had to order I paid a £16 extra charge for Farnell to ship them in from the US. The main distributors either don't seem to carry them or don't have them in stock. The minor distributors Arrow, Avnet, Verical etc don't seem to want to process orders from Europe. What gives? I'm sure I'm not the only ARM user using these headers.

TIA, Alan

#3 Reply
Posted by Jeroen3 on 13 Aug, 2014 16:35
I sampled a few from samtec, including cable. The first time I needed them.
Now I would order them on eBay. http://www.ebay.nl/sch/i.html?_nkw=FCI+-+20021121-00008C4LF+-+HEADER%2C+VERT%2C+1.27MM%2C+SMT%2C+8WAY

Yes, they are expensive. But on limit board size much better dan the 2.5mm pitch version, or the wrong polarity single row version.

#4 Reply
Posted by gxti on 13 Aug, 2014 17:04
You don't need that exact part, you just need a header with the same pitch and a similar shroud. I've used this in the past: http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?KeyWords=1175-1629-ND

Personally, I don't use any header at all on my target boards, I use this: http://www.tag-connect.com/TC2030-CTX-NL

#5 Reply
Posted by MagicSmoker on 13 Aug, 2014 17:15
Quote from: gxti on 13 Aug, 2014 17:04
...
Personally, I don't use any header at all on my target boards, I use this: http://www.tag-connect.com/TC2030-CTX-NL

I second this recommendation. I switched over to the tag-connect pogo pin adapters a few years ago and haven't looked back.

#6 Reply
Posted by JDubU on 13 Aug, 2014 19:30
Quote from: MagicSmoker on 13 Aug, 2014 17:15
I second this recommendation. I switched over to the tag-connect pogo pin adapters a few years ago and haven't looked back.

Have you used the "No Leg" version? Does it make reliable connections?

#7 Reply
Posted by jmag999 on 13 Aug, 2014 19:58
The no-leg versions are ok for occasional debug, especially if you get the clip that holds it in place. But I don't like them for long term debugging. The can fall off, and it's easy to lose the clip. Good for small scale production though.

#8 Reply
Posted by alanambrose on 14 Aug, 2014 16:32
Thanks for the tips - interesting re the tag-connect, a bit ugly but I guess it saves space. Still can't see why the actual parts are so bloody precious given that presumably arm and samtec hatched a deal for the standard.

Alan

#9 Reply
Posted by zapta on 14 Aug, 2014 16:47
Quote from: alanambrose on 14 Aug, 2014 16:32
Thanks for the tips - interesting re the tag-connect, a bit ugly but I guess it saves space.

I looked at it once and it doesn't save much space compared to 2x3 0.1" header footprint and pogo pins.

#10 Reply
Posted by philpem on 14 Aug, 2014 20:53
The problem I've had with the "locking" Tag-Connect headers is that after a few insertions (or a ham-handed technician getting hold of your prototype to "check something") the locking clips tend to break off.