Seeed Studio has launched the XIAO Debug Mate, a compact ESP32-S3-based debugging tool designed primarily for the company's XIAO development boards. The device combines three functions in one package: a DAPLink debugger with OpenOCD and PyOCD support, a serial monitor with UART passthrough, and a power profiler capable of tracking consumption down to microamp levels.
The debugger features an ESP32-S3R8 chip with dual-core Tensilica LX7 processors running at 240 MHz, 512KB SRAM, 8MB PSRAM, and 8MB flash storage. A 2.01-inch TFT display shows debugging information and power consumption data in real time, while a 36-LED matrix on the bottom indicates status like serial baud rate. The tool measures 10.0 cm (3.9 inches) by 5.6 cm (2.2 inches) by 2.0 cm (0.8 inches) and includes two 14-pin headers for accessing XIAO module I/O pins, eight pogo pins for additional GPIO access, and a UART Grove connector.
The DAPLink debugging function works with Arm Cortex-M targets including XIAO SAMD21, RP2040, RP2350, nRF52840, RA4M1, and MG24 boards through an SWD interface. ESP32-based XIAO boards and the nRF54L15 do not currently support hardware debugging due to pad placement limitations. The serial monitor mode works with any board including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and Grove sensors, displaying real-time data on the built-in screen or passing it through to a PC. The power profiler offers plus or minus 10% accuracy in the 1-10 microamp range and can identify peak and valley consumption patterns to help optimize battery-powered designs.
The XIAO Debug Mate is available now for $20 (€18). The device ships with a black PLA 3D-printed enclosure and requires a 5V/1A USB-C power supply.
