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Tag-Connect, LLC

Tag-Connect TC2030-CTX 6-Pin Cable for Arm Cortex SWD (Legged or No-Legs)

Tag-Connect TC2030-CTX 6-Pin Cable for Arm Cortex SWD (Legged or No-Legs)

Legged Plug-of-Nails™ cable: TC2030 (6-pin) to 10-pin Cortex micro-header

SKU: TC2030-CTX-NL

Legs
Ribbon
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£46.75 exc VAT
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Key Features

Tiny TC2030 footprint
Legged retention
Cortex 10-pin interface
SWD + SWO support
Solder-free target
Ecosystem variants
Designed for development

Overview

The Tag-Connect TC2030-CTX is a 6-pin, legged Plug-of-Nails™ cable for programming and debugging ARM® Cortex® targets over SWD. It mates to the tiny TC2030 footprint on your PCB and presents a 10-pin 0.05″ Cortex ribbon at the tool end, compatible with common debuggers such as ULINK-2 and similar.

Using the TC2030 footprint removes the need for a mated header on the board, reducing PCB area and helping control BoM cost while still providing a robust, repeatable connection. The legged design clips into four locating holes for hands-free stability during development and test.

The TC2030-CTX is part of a family, so you can match the cable to your toolchain: for ST-LINK/V3 choose the TC2030-CTX-NL-STDC14 (No-Legs) or legged STDC14 variant; if you need a 20-pin Cortex tool end see TC2030-CTX-20; for general 0.1″ IDC targets consider TC2030-IDC-NL; Altera/Intel users can opt for TC2030-ALT.

If you want SWD on a compact, solder-free target footprint with reliable retention during debug, the TC2030-CTX is a practical choice for professional designs.

Downloads

Space, not sockets

Shrink the target and remove the header.

Stable during debug

Legged probe holds position reliably.

Fits your toolchain

Variants cover ST-LINK, ULINK, i-Jet, more.

Pinout, footprint and wiring diagram: TC2030-CTX pinout.

6-Pin Legged TC2030 Plug-of-Nails programming cable for use with ARM Cortex processors.

This special cable has a 6-pin TC2030 Tag-Connector and a 10-pin ribbon and ribbon connector. It mates with the FTSH-105 style micro-headers used for Cortex Debug Connector; as found in debuggers such as the Keil ULINK-2.

See also the TC2030-CTX-NL "No Legs" version of the cable with footprint that saves over 66% of the board space needed by typical FTSH-105 micro headers!

For traditional ARM solutions using the 20-pin header as found on the Segger J-LINK, see the TC2050-ARM2010 adapter used with TC2050-IDC (-NL) cables.

WARNING for ATMEL-ICE users: The Atmel-ICE has it's header pin numbers reversed (standard pin 1 is Atmel ICE's pin 10). To use our cable with Atmel's reversed pin-number header you'll either need to cut off the ribbon connector locating lug and plug it in reversed, or select the LEMTA version with the 10-pin connector fitted backwards. If you plug in a standard (correct) Cortex cable you're going to short power and stuff out.

Note: Cable only supplied, Keil's ULINK2 debugger and Tag-Connect Demo PCB shown for illustrative use – not included with the cable!

Which cable fits your debugger? See our Tag-Connect cable guide.

Engineer Q&A

Questions and Answers

10 questions
  • What PCB Features Do I Need on the Target?

    Provide the six contact pads and the three alignment pin holes; the legged version also needs four leg latch holes. Follow Tag-Connect's TC2030-IDC (legged) or TC2030-IDC-NL (no-legs) footprint drawing.

    FootprintContact padsAlignment pin holesLeg latch holes
    Legged (TC2030-IDC)634
    No legs (TC2030-IDC-NL)63None
    Answered by John LeggUpdated 9 Oct 2026
  • Will This Reduce PCB Area vs a 10-pin Header?

    Yes. Tag-Connect says the no-legs TC2030-CTX-NL saves over 66% of the board space needed by typical FTSH-105 micro-headers, which is under a third of the area of the Samtec FTSH 10-pin header.

    Answered by John LeggUpdated 9 Oct 2026
  • Is Polarity Fool-proof on the Target?

    In practice, yes. The footprint's asymmetric three-hole alignment pattern lets the connector seat only one way, so reversed insertion is impractical. This is our reading of Tag-Connect's footprint drawings and guide, which says to align the rear locating pins with the footprint; Tag-Connect does not use the word fool-proof.

    Answered by John LeggUpdated 9 Oct 2026
  • What If I Later Switch Toolchains?

    Keep the TC2030 target footprint and change only the cable variant (e.g., to STDC14 or 20-pin) to suit the new probe.

    Answered by John LeggUpdated 9 Oct 2026
  • Does the TC2030-CTX Carry Full JTAG?

    No. It is intended for SWD (and SWO). For full JTAG, use an appropriate 10/14/20-pin solution or other Tag-Connect families that expose JTAG pins.

    Answered by John LeggUpdated 9 Oct 2026
  • What’s the Difference Between Legged and No-Legs Cables?

    Legged cables are for development and no-legs cables are for production, and they differ in how they are held.

    LeggedNo legs (NL)
    Best forDevelopment, extended secure connectionProduction, short operations
    RetentionSelf-securing: legs clip into four leg latch holesHeld by hand, or with a TC2030-CLIP or fixture for longer sessions
    Holes needed3 alignment pin holes plus 4 leg latch holes3 alignment pin holes
    Answered by John LeggUpdated 9 Oct 2026
  • Which Debuggers Does the 10-pin End Suit?

    Probes with the standard 0.05″ “Cortex-10” micro-header, such as the ULINK-2 and similar interfaces. Check your probe's connector type before ordering.

    Answered by John LeggUpdated 9 Oct 2026
  • Can I Access Trace (ETM)?

    Yes, with the CTX-ETM variant. It adds a TC2050 tail for the 20-pin Cortex trace signals and keeps SWD on the TC2030.

    Answered by John LeggUpdated 9 Oct 2026

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