2025-11-30 9:52 PM
I’m using an ST‑LINK V3 Minie with an STM32F100RBT6B Discovery board (which also has an STM32F103C8T6), and it works perfectly. However, when I connect the same ST‑LINK V3 Minie to my custom board that uses the same STM32F100RBT6B chip, it fails to connect.
I’ve wired VCC (VTref), GND, NRST, TMS/SWDIO, and TCK/SWCLK exactly as specified.
Black - Ground
White - Vcc
Yellow - Reset
Blue - Clock
Purple - TMS
On the Discovery board this setup works fine, but on my custom board the debugger cannot establish communication.
Could anyone suggest what additional checks I should perform on the custom board?
2025-11-30 10:18 PM
Doesn't this suggest the problem is with your custom board ?
I would suggest to connect the VDD /T_Vcc pin as well, as it is used to sense of the target is powered :
Have you checked the voltage at the supply pins of you custom board (at the MCU pins), and the power consumption ?
Only then would I connect an external tool like a debug adapter.
2025-11-30 11:11 PM
@Ozone Yes I have checked the voltage supply at Vcc, it gives 3.3V.
2025-12-01 12:26 AM
I don't know if you understand what I meant.
First, make sure your PCB is correct.
Check all traces for the MCU's power supply, debug connection, clock generation etc., preferably unpowered first.
Then apply power (if possible with a current limitation enables), and measure current draw.
Only then connect to a debug adapter.
AFAIK the ST-Link adapters don't require a T_Vcc detection. I converted basically all my ST-Links into J-Links.
If you don't get connection, try a scope (or logic analyser) and check the debug signals.
Alternatively you can try to start the MCU into system mode (via BOOT0), and try connecting via serial line & CubeProgrammer.
I suppose you planned for an option to pull BOOT0 low for this purpose.
2025-12-01 6:42 AM - edited 2025-12-01 8:57 AM
Where are your bulk and decoupling capacitors? They should be next to the chip.
Could also be cold solder joints and/or bridges. Hard to tell in the photo.
Marking on the top left of the chip looks like the mold injection mark, not the pin 1 marking, but I don't see a pin 1 marking elsewhere, or any text marking on the chip. Ensure orientation is correct. Pin 1 is bottom left when text reads from left to right.
2025-12-02 3:52 AM
2025-12-02 6:10 AM
Probably the wiring is incorrect, then.
Does STM32CubeProgrammer report the correct voltage?
Use a standard debugging header to avoid all of this.