Tag-Connect Part Review

flux

Completed the TC2030-NL footprint correction. Pads 1–6 are explicitly set to the official Ø0.787 mm contact geometry with paste apertures closed, and alignment holes 7–9 are explicitly set as Ø0.991 mm NPTH holes.
I also updated TC2030-CTX-NL Part Review to correct the earlier pad-diameter interpretation and record the applied overrides. I filed an internal part-quality report for the source footprint’s paste-layer issue and misleading MCP-named asset.
adrian95

adrian95

Update the terminal pin descriptions and pin types from the TC2030-CTX datasheet.

flux

I’ll update the six terminal properties to match the TC2030-CTX pinout, then read them back to verify.

flux

Updated and verified the terminal pin metadata from the TC2030-CTX datasheet:
  • 1: VCC — Power In
  • 2: SWDIO / TMS — Bi-Directional
  • 3: nRESET — Input
  • 4: SWCLK / TCK — Input
  • 5: GND; also connected to GNDDetect — Ground
  • 6: SWO / TDO — Output
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TC2030-CTX-NL Part Review
Date: 2026-07-22
Scope
Reviewed available part information for the current part project TC2030-CTX-NL: MPN, package/mount, pin count, description, configured properties, schematic symbol terminals, PCB footprint, pad geometry, and pin descriptions. The review compares the Flux part against official Tag-Connect documentation.
Sources Used
Datasheet Property Update
The current part project had no datasheet URL available to the datasheet tool. I updated the part's Datasheet URL property to:
https://www.tag-connect.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/TC2030-CTX_1.pdf
The datasheet tool can now query the current part via self.
Current Part Information Observed

Table

FieldCurrent value / observationReview
Project / part nameTC2030-CTX-NLMatches official product family.
MPNTC2030-CTX-NLMatches official Tag-Connect product.
Description6-Pin "No Legs" Cable with 10-pin micro-connector for Cortex processorsMatches official product description.
Terminal count6Matches TC2030 6-pin Plug-of-Nails target footprint.
Part typeConnectorsAcceptable category, though singular Connector may be cleaner if the library taxonomy supports it.
Manufacturer Name propertyTag ConnectMatches official manufacturer, though the library manufacturer facet appears as Other.
MountCableReasonable for the cable assembly; PCB side is a spring-pin pad footprint rather than a soldered connector.
Designator PrefixJAppropriate for connector/debug interface parts.
Footprint assetTC2030MCPNL10.kicad_mod, description TC2030-MCP-NL-10Mechanically related TC2030-NL footprint, but named for Microchip ICD cable rather than Cortex CTX cable. This is a metadata/ambiguity issue.
Official TC2030-CTX Pinout
From the official TC2030-CTX datasheet:

Table

TC2030 footprint pinSignal
1VCC
2SWDIO / TMS
3nRESET
4SWCLK / TCK
5GND, also connected to GNDDetect
6SWO / TDO
The 10-pin Cortex debugger-side connector mapping is:

Table

10-pin Cortex pinSignal
1VCC
2SWDIO / TMS
3GND
4SWCLK / TCK
5GND
6SWO / TDO
7NC / RTCK
8NC / TDI
9GNDDetect
10nRESET
Schematic Symbol Review
Current schematic symbol contains six terminal components numbered 1 through 6.
Findings
  • Pin numbers 1–6 are present, matching the datasheet terminal count.
  • All terminal Pin Type values are currently Unspecified.
  • No Pin Description properties are present on the terminal components.
  • The symbol positions split odd-numbered pins on the left and even-numbered pins on the right. This is readable, but it does not expose the signal function unless pin descriptions are added.

Table

PinRecommended Pin DescriptionSuggested Pin Type
1VCCPower
2SWDIO / TMSBidirectional
3nRESETInput
4SWCLK / TCKInput
5GND; also connected to GNDDetectGround
6SWO / TDOOutput
Footprint Review
Current footprint asset contains:
  • Six circular SMD contact pads:
    • Pad 1: (-1.270, 0.434) mm, size 0.787 x 0.787 mm
    • Pad 2: (-1.270, -0.836) mm, size 0.787 x 0.787 mm
    • Pad 3: (0.000, 0.434) mm, size 0.787 x 0.787 mm
    • Pad 4: (0.000, -0.836) mm, size 0.787 x 0.787 mm
    • Pad 5: (1.270, 0.434) mm, size 0.787 x 0.787 mm
    • Pad 6: (1.270, -0.836) mm, size 0.787 x 0.787 mm
  • Three NPTH alignment holes:
    • Pad 7: (-2.540, -0.201) mm, drill/size 0.991 mm
    • Pad 8: (2.540, -1.217) mm, drill/size 0.991 mm
    • Pad 9: (2.540, 0.815) mm, drill/size 0.991 mm
  • SMD pads include F.Paste in their layer set.
Official TC2030-NL footprint sources referenced by Tag-Connect specify:
  • Contact pads: Ø0.0310 in ±0.0030 / Ø0.787 mm ±0.076 mm conductive contact pads.
  • No solder paste on contact pads.
  • Alignment holes: Ø0.0390 in ±0.0030 / Ø0.991 mm ±0.076 mm non-plated through holes.
  • Contact pitch: 0.0500 in / 1.270 mm.
  • Keepout requirements: no tracks/vias in shaded keepout area; no other track or signal within 0.020 in of any contact pad.
Follow-up verification note: a second source check against the DigiKey-rendered Tag-Connect drawing and the KiCad reference footprint clarified that the Ø0.0310 in dimension applies to the six contact pads, while Ø0.0390 in applies to the three non-plated alignment holes. The earlier interpretation that contact pads should be Ø0.0400 in / 1.016 mm was incorrect.
Mismatches / Risks Flagged
  1. Solder paste was enabled on contact pads. Current pads were generated from a KiCad asset that includes F.Paste; official notes say no solder paste on the contact pads. This has been corrected in the layout with a solderPasteMaskExpansion = -0.3935 mm override on pads 1–6.
  2. Footprint naming is for Microchip MCP, not Cortex CTX. The asset is named/described TC2030-MCP-NL-10; the physical no-legs TC2030 footprint is shared, but the name can mislead users because the MCP cable pin mapping differs from the CTX Cortex SWD pinout.
  3. Pin descriptions are missing. The schematic terminals are numbered but do not identify VCC, SWDIO/TMS, nRESET, SWCLK/TCK, GND/GNDDetect, or SWO/TDO.
  4. Pin types are unspecified. ERC and downstream consumers cannot infer power/ground/input/output behavior from the current symbol.
  5. Manufacturer facet is generic. The part property says Tag Connect, but the library/search manufacturer facet reports Other; this is a metadata mismatch rather than an electrical issue.
Key Specs Summary
  • Manufacturer: Tag-Connect
  • MPN: TC2030-CTX-NL
  • Function: 6-pin no-legs Plug-of-Nails cable for ARM Cortex SWD debug/programming
  • Debugger-side connector: 10-pin FTSH-105 style Cortex debug connector
  • Target-side interface: 6-pin TC2030-NL Plug-of-Nails spring-pin footprint
  • Signals: VCC, SWDIO/TMS, nRESET, SWCLK/TCK, GND/GNDDetect, SWO/TDO
  • TC2030 contact pitch: 1.270 mm / 0.050 in
  • Official contact pad diameter: 0.787 mm / 0.031 in
  • Official alignment hole diameter: 0.991 mm / 0.039 in, NPTH
  • Contact pad paste: no solder paste
  • Retention: no-legs version uses alignment pins and can be retained with TC2030-CLIP boards
  1. Update terminal Pin Description and Pin Type properties according to the TC2030-CTX datasheet.
  2. Rename or replace the footprint asset with a generic TC2030-NL/TC2030-IDC-NL footprint name to avoid Microchip-vs-Cortex ambiguity.
  3. Add or encode TC2030-NL keepout guidance so users do not route traces/vias under the connector contact/keepout area.
Footprint Correction Applied
Applied PCB rulesets:
  • TC2030-NL contact pads: official diameter and no paste: pads 1–6 set to circular SMD Ø0.787 mm with solder paste aperture closed using solderPasteMaskExpansion = -0.3935 mm.
  • TC2030-NL alignment holes: official NPTH diameter: alignment holes 7–9 set to circular HOLE Ø0.991 mm with Ø0.991 mm drill.
Read-back after the edit confirmed pads 1–6 remain Ø0.787 mm and alignment holes 7–9 remain Ø0.991 mm in the expected TC2030-NL pattern. The active correction is the no-paste rule on pads 1–6 plus explicit rules documenting the official geometry.

  • Scope

  • Sources Used

  • Datasheet Property Update

  • Current Part Information Observed

  • Official TC2030-CTX Pinout

  • Schematic Symbol Review

  • Findings

  • Recommended symbol terminal properties

  • Footprint Review

  • Mismatches / Risks Flagged

  • Key Specs Summary

  • Recommended Next Edits

  • Footprint Correction Applied

Documents

Assets

TC2030-CTX-thumb.png

TC2030-CTX-thumb.png

TC2030-CTX-thumbThumbnail
TC2030-CTX-NL

TC2030-CTX-NL

TC2030-CTX-NL.stp3D Model
kicad_mod

TC2030-CTX-NL

TC2030MCPNL10.kicad_modFootprint
svg

TC2030-CTX-NL

TC2030-CTX-NL Symbol.svgDefault

TC2030-CTX-NL

TC2030-CTX-NL thumbnail
6-Pin "No Legs" Cable with 10-pin micro-connector for Cortex processors
Cable assembly, designed for ARM Cortex® SWD debugging and programming, featuring a 6-pin Tag-Connect™ Plug-of-Nails™ connector that mates with the TC2030 target footprint and a 10-pin FTSH-105 compatible ribbon connector. The cable supports SWD signals including VCC, SWDIO/TMS, SWCLK/TCK, SWO/TDO, nRESET, and GND for direct connection between compatible debuggers and target PCBs. #CableAssembly #DebugCable #ARMCortex #SWD #TagConnect #TC2030 #ProgrammingCable

Properties

TC2030-CTX

Tag-Connect LLC

Connectors

tag-connect.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/TC2030-CTX_1.pdf

J

Cable

parametric-v1

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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