Can I debug an STM32 using an FTDI FT4232HQ (JTAG/SWD interface)

[djamel7]

Hi everyone,

I would like to know if it’s possible to debug an STM32 microcontroller without using an ST-Link, but instead with an FTDI FT4232HQ chip via its JTAG or SWD interface.

If this is possible:

• How can I configure the debugger connection?

• Can it be done directly from STM32CubeIDE, or do I need to use another tool (like OpenOCD or GDB)?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[TDK]

Technically, yeah probably with a lot of time wasted tinkering, and with limited functionality.

But realistically, you're not going to get far using a programmer that isn't set up to work with an STM32xxx. Plenty of options out there.

[Pavel A.]

OpenOCD is one of debugger options of CubeIDE. Just select "ST-Link/OpenOCD" in the debugger settings. Though you won't be using ST-LINK, you can then edit the openocd command line and the .cfg file to select other interface.

If there is an interface file for your FTDI chip in jtag mode, specify it there.

[Vinayak181]

Hi,

Yes, it’s possible to debug an STM32 microcontroller without an ST-Link by using an FTDI FT4232HQ (or similar FTDI device) through the SWD or JTAG interface, but it requires a bit of setup since STM32CubeIDE natively supports only ST-Link, J-Link, and CMSIS-DAP debuggers.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Use OpenOCD – You’ll need to configure OpenOCD to work with your FTDI device. OpenOCD supports the FT4232HQ chip for both JTAG and SWD modes.

You can use an interface config like:

interface ftdi
ftdi_vid_pid 0x0403 0x6011
ftdi_layout_init 0x0018 0x05fb
transport select swd
source [find target/stm32f1x.cfg]

(Adjust the target config according to your MCU series — f1x, f4x, etc.)

2. Integrate with STM32CubeIDE –

In CubeIDE, go to Run → Debug Configurations → GDB OpenOCD Debugging.

Create a new configuration and point it to your OpenOCD executable and config files.

Set the GDB client to arm-none-eabi-gdb.

Connect your FTDI pins to the STM32’s SWDIO, SWCLK, GND, and optionally NRST.