Q:

How can I use the Starter or Development Kit to program and debug an EFM32 on my own PCB? 

 A:

The Starter Kits (STKs) and the Development Kits (DKs) can both be used as a stand-alone debugger/programmer by connecting the Serial Wire debug pins to the 20-pin debug port (marked "debug in/out") in the higher right hand corner of the STKs. On the DVKs, the debug port on the left hand side of the motherboard. You set the direction of this debug connection through the energyAware Commander:

1) Install and update Simplicity Studio as described here. You should at least have the energyAware Commander package installed as a minimum.

2) Connect the development kit or starter kit to your PC and power it on

3) Start energyAware Commender in Simplicity Studio and click "Connect" on the upper left corner

4) Select the Debug Mode using the drop down menu in Board Information

5) The debug modes are:

• MCU           Debug connected to EFM32 on starter kit
• Off              Debug connection disabled
• Out             Outgoing debug connection to stand-alone EFM32
• In                Debug input from another Serial Wire debug device, like j-link.

Please read the AN0002 EFM32 Hardware Design Considerations for details on how to implement debug connections on your own PCB.