STM32WL3x reference design - downloading program

[KB1DC]

Starting my design on a reference design based on STDES for WL3 series. I would like to know what is needed for the smallest hardware connection to download a program from ST32CUBE IDE. I need to have the minimum amount of connectors on the board. I.E. I don't want to plug in my board that I designed to the NUCLEO base board debugger for downloading  a program if I don't have to.  Can I take advantage of the STDC14 connection on the ref Des and if so, do I need some external piece of hardware to connect to it which then connects to the USB port on a computer?  Thanks!

[KB1DC]

Can anyone reply to this question?

[TDK · Accepted solution]

A few things:

• You need a programmer such as STLINK-V3MINIE | Tool - STMicroelectronics
• You need to power the board independently of the programmer.
• At a minimum, you need to connect GND, SWDIO and SWCLK between the board and the programmer. Sometimes VCC is also needed if the programmer has a level shifter.

Typically it's better to use a standard header like the STDC14 connector and place that on your board instead.