The EVM supports an integrated XDS110 emulator for loading and debugging software. The USB micro-B connector [J15] of the EVM is connected to a Host-PC using supplied USB cable (Type-A to Micro-B). The computer can use Texas Instruments' Code Composer Studio (CCS) to establish a connection with the processor and download and debug software on the various processor cores. The emulator circuit is powered via USB VBUS power. LEDs [LD2] [LD3] are used to indicate an active connection with Host-PC/processor. The green LED [LD3] indicates USB connection with Host-PC and the red LED [LD2] indicates processor connection with CCS.

Optionally, an external JTAG emulation/debugger can connect using a dedicated emulation connector [J13]. The connector is aligned with the MIPI 60-pin Emulator standard and expands the debug capability to include TRACE support. Several different Texas Instruments' emulators can be used, including XDS560v2, XDS110, and XDS200. Note that some can require 3rd party adapters for interfacing with the MIPI-60 connector.

Selection between the on-board and external emulator is done automatically, while switching to external emulator is only when connection is made to the MIPI-60 connector [J13].