proxmark3/doc/jtag_notes.md

Some notes on how to reflash a bricked Proxmark3 over JTAG.

Linux and OpenOCD

Using RDV4 scripts

The RDV4 repository contains helper scripts for JTAG flashing.

• Get OpenOCD, e.g.: apt-get install openocd
• Create tools/jtag_openocd/openocd_configuration by copying tools/jtag_openocd/openocd_configuration.sample
• Tune it to fit your JTAG tool: adapt CONFIG_IF to refer to your JTAG tool. openocd_configuration.sample contains several examples and is set up by default to work with the J-Link.
• Wire the Proxmark3 to the JTAG tool. How to do it depends on the tool. See below for examples. Warning: don't plug the Proxmark3 on USB if the tool delivers already the voltage to the Proxmark3, which is most probably the case.
• Then just run

cd tools/jtag_openocd/
./openocd_flash_recovery.sh

In some rare situations, flashing the full image over JTAG may fail but the bootloader could be fixed. If it's the case, you can flash the image without JTAG by booting on your fresh bootloader (possibly forced by pressing the Proxmark3 button).

For advanced usages there are also openocd_flash_dump.sh for dumping the content of the Proxmark3 and openocd_interactive.sh for an OpenOCD console.

RDV4 pinout

The RDV4 JTAG header is quite smaller compared to other Proxmark3 platforms.
If you're using a J-Link, there is a convenient adapter made by Proxgrind.
You can also make yours with some 1.27mm headers (look for 1.27mm header on Aliexpress) or Pogo pins or buy an already made clip, e.g. search dykb clamp on Aliexpress and take a 1.27mm single-row 6P version.

JLink pinout

J-Link pinout:

  ---------  ---------
 |1917151311 9 7 5 3 1|
 |201816141210 8 6 4 2|
  --------------------

PM3	JLink
TMS	7
TDI	5
TDO	13
TCK	9
GND	6
3.3	2

Raspberry Pi pinout

RPi pinout:

PM3	RPi
TMS	22
TDI	19
TDO	21
TCK	23
GND	6
3.3	1

Where to find more information?

There has been lots of articles and blogposts about recovering, debricking, JTAG your Proxmark3 and you find here below an assortiment of resources that will be of help.

Third party notes on using a BusPirate

• https://github.com/Proxmark/proxmark3/wiki/Debricking-Proxmark3-with-buspirate
• https://b4cktr4ck2.github.io/De-Brickify-Pm3-RDV2/
• https://scund00r.com/all/rfid/2018/05/18/debrick-proxmark.html
• https://joanbono.github.io/PoC/Flashing_Proxmark3.html

Third party notes on using a J-Link

• http://wiki.yobi.be/wiki/Proxmark

Third party notes on using a RaspBerry Pi

• http://www.lucasoldi.com/2017/01/17/unbrick-proxmark3-with-a-raspberry-pi-and-openocd/
• https://wiki.elvis.science/index.php?title=Proxmark3:_Debricking
• https://github.com/synthetos/PiOCD/wiki/Using-a-Raspberry-Pi-as-a-JTAG-Dongle

Third party notes on using a J-Link on Windows

• https://github.com/Proxmark/proxmark3/wiki/De-Bricking-Segger

Stack Overflow write up article.

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/48794076/error-halt-timed-out-wake-up-gdb/64291913#64291913

Old original doc,

Describes the SEGGER JLINK, JTAG process but be warned, this document is old. https://github.com/RfidResearchGroup/proxmark3/blob/master/doc/original_proxmark3/Compiling%20Proxmark%20source%20and%20firmware%20upgrading%20v1.pdf