Difference between revisions of "STM32 Beginner - Getting started"

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[[Category:C]][[Category:STM32 Development]][[Category:Arduino]][[Category:STM32CubeMX]][[Category:STM32CubeIde]][[Category:Embedded]][[Category:STM32]] {{metadesc|STM32 Beginner - Getting started}}
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[[Category:C]][[Category:STM32 Development]][[Category:Arduino]][[Category:STM32CubeMX]][[Category:STM32CubeIde]][[Category:Embedded]][[Category:Work in progress]][[Category:STM32]] {{metadesc|STM32 Beginner - Getting started}}
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Getting started with [[STM32]] development is a daunting task.  The purpose of this page is to provide some basic pointers on how to make this journey easier.
  
 +
NOTICE!  We have started a new series of tutorial videos on Youtube.  Please check [[STM32 Getting Started Tutorial Video Series (by STM32World)]].
 +
 +
Even people experienced with Arduino will find the [[STM32]] confusing.  Part of that confusion is due to the complexity of the [[STM32]] devices being a lot more complex by themselves:
 +
 +
{| class=wikitable
 +
|-
 +
!
 +
! Arduino Uno
 +
! STM32 "[[Blue Pill]]"<ref>[https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/stm32f103c8.pdf https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/stm32f103c8.pdf]</ref>
 +
! STM32 "[[Black Pill]]"<ref>[https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/stm32f411ce.pdf https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/stm32f411ce.pdf]</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| [[MCU]]
 +
| ATmega328P
 +
| [[STM32F103]]
 +
| [[STM32F411]]
 +
|-
 +
| Core
 +
| 8-bit
 +
| 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3
 +
| 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4
 +
|-
 +
| Clock
 +
| 16 MHz
 +
| 72 MHz
 +
| 100 MHz
 +
|-
 +
| RAM
 +
| 2 kB
 +
| 32 kB
 +
| 128 kB
 +
|-
 +
| Flash
 +
| 32 kB
 +
| 64 kB/128 kB
 +
| 512 kB
 +
|-
 +
|USB
 +
| Yes<ref>Flashing/Serial debug only</ref>
 +
| Gadget/Device
 +
| Gadget/Device or Host<ref>The STM32F411 can run both Gadget and Host, but the actual development board might not support Host mode.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| Timers
 +
| 2
 +
| 7
 +
| 11
 +
|-
 +
| ADCs
 +
| 1 (8 channels)
 +
| 2 (16 channels)
 +
| 1 (16 channels)
 +
|-
 +
| DMA
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|}
 +
 +
As can be seen from the basic technical specs, [[STM32]] are much more complex than the simple AtMega328 used on the Arduino boards and because of that complexity (and flexibility) they represent a much steeper learning curve.
 +
 +
== Basics ==
 +
 +
=== Youtube Videos ===
 +
 +
We have started a Youtube series.  Videos are listed here: [[STM32 Tutorial Videos]]
 +
 +
=== Understanding the part numbers ===
 +
 +
When initially looking into [[STM32]] the sheer number of different "versions" appear baffling.  I have no idea how many different [[STM32]] [[MCU]]s there are but it has got to be in the "hundreds".  Fortunately, [[ST]] didn't just pick part numbers at random, there is in fact a system to the madness. [[ST]] themselves, on their website, provide the following example:
 +
 +
[[File:STM32 Naming.png|1000px]]
 +
 +
While not specifically mentioned in the above breakdown, the first number in the features field typically indicate the [[ARM]] core version.  "STM32F1xx" will be based on an ARM Cortex-M3 core, while "STM32F4xx" are based on a M4 core.  Also, different models have different built-in features - number of UARTS, number of [[I2C]] ports, number of [[SPI]] ports and number of timers.  Once you have a development board it is absolutely essential that you local the exact datasheet for the relevant [[MCU]] and familiarize yourself with the features (for example, the datasheet for the [[STM32F411]] [[MCU]] on the [[Black Pill]] is [https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/stm32f411ce.pdf here].)  The importance of familiarizing yourself with the relevant datasheet can not be stressed enough.
 +
 +
=== GPIO Voltage ===
 +
 +
While most [[Arduino]]s run on 5 V, the [[STM32]] can only accept up to 3.3 V (a 5 V supply will fry them).  However, while the [[MCU]] itself require a <= 3.3 V supply voltage, most GPIO pins are so-called "five volt tolerant"<ref>There are some exceptions.  When configured as an analog input pin, the pins are '''not''' 5V tolerant!</ref>.
 +
 +
=== Clock ===
 +
 +
Many [[MCU]] run at whatever frequency crystal is attached to it.  [[STM32]]s are slightly different in this aspect.  Most [[STM32]] [[MCU]]s can use pretty much any crystal oscillator between 8 GHz and 25 GHz.  The crystal oscillator is used internally to drive a PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) which is then used to generate various internal clock signals.  This clock configuration is rather complex and it is greatly helped by a graphical editor in [[STM32CubeMX]].  Here is an example using a [[STM32F103]] with an external 16 MHz crystal:
 +
 +
[[File:STM32 Clock Example.png|1000px]]
 +
 +
Starting from the left, we first see that a 16 MHz external (HSE = High Speed External) crystal oscillator is used (as opposed to the less precise internal 8 MHz HSI (High Speed Internal) RC oscillator.  This frequency is divided by two, feeding an 8 MHz clock into the PLL.  The PLL will multiply this frequency by 9 to end up with a 72 MHz frequency.  In this example USB is enabled and that require a stable and precise 48 MHz clock.  This is derived from the 72 MHz by dividing with 1.5.  72 MHz is the highest this [[MCU]] will run at so no further prescaling is necessary.  The 72 MHz clock is also fed to the DMA busses and the timers.
 +
 +
=== Bootloader ===
 +
 +
All [[STM32]] [[MCU]]s include a built-in bootloader for "flashing".  During startup, the status of the [[Boot0]] pin will be asserted.  If "low" (GND) the [[MCU]] will start normally.  If "high" (= supply voltage - typically 3.3V) the internal bootloader will be executed.  This essentially mean that it is very hard to "brick" a [[STM32]] [[MCU]] to a point where it can not be recovered.
 +
 +
== Prerequisites ==
 +
 +
=== ST-Link ===
 +
[[File:ST-Link Bunch.jpg|200px|thumb|A pile of cheap Chinese ST-Link clones]]
 +
 +
The [[ST-Link]] is a device especially designed to flash and debug [[STM32]] [[MCU]]'s.
 +
 +
[[File:STLink.jpg|600px]]
 +
 +
[[ST]] can provide these at a reasonable price (< $20) but there are also a lot of Chinese "clones" available.  The image to the right show a bunch of these clones.
 +
 +
While the original [[ST-Link]] devices provide additional features, the Chinese clones do get the job done and they have one benefit over the original that the pins on the device are clearly labelled.  For some incomprehensible reason, [[ST]] decided not to label the pins on their device and that is really annoying in daily use.
 +
 +
=== Development Board ===
 +
 +
Before diving into the following sections, please note that the first ones are mostly listed here for completion.  If you are a beginner in [[STM32]] it is '''highly''' recommended that you pick one of the [[#Official ST Development Boards|Official ST Development Boards]].  This can not be stressed enough.
 +
 +
==== Blue Pill ====
 +
 +
As mentioned earlier, there's a '''lot''' of different [[STM32]] [[MCU]] variants and there's almost as many different development boards.
 +
 +
A very popular model was/is the so-called "[[Blue Pill]]" board:
 +
 +
[[File:Blue Pill top.jpg|600px]]
 +
 +
There are different variants of these boards, but they are supposed to include a [[STM32F103]] [[MCU]].  The problem is that almost none of them are.  There are at least 6-8 Chinese companies making "clones" of the STM32F103 processor.  Some of these are probably genuine [[MCU]]s with a properly licensed [[ARM]] core, that just happens to use the same memory map like the original.  Some of these are labelled correctly and identifies themselves as "GD32F103" (from [[GigaDevice]]), HK32F103 or something else.  Unfortunately some are labelled STM32F103xxx and it can be extremely hard to know which is which:
 +
 +
{| width="100%" style="text-align:center;"
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:Fake STM32F103.jpg|410px]]
 +
| [[File:Real STM32F103.jpg|400px]]
 +
|-
 +
| '''Fake''' STM32F103 (possibly a HK32) from some random [[Blue Pill]] board
 +
| '''Real''' STM32F103 from my own [[Green Pill]] board
 +
|}
 +
 +
In short, while these boards are extremely cheap and readily available, I would suggest avoiding them completely.  Working around the various bugs and lack of knowledge about the [[MCU]] just make them a gigantic waste of time.
 +
 +
==== Black Pill ====
 +
 +
A '''much''' better choice are the so-called "[[Black Pill]]" boards.
 +
 +
[[File:Two Different Black Pill Boards.jpg|600px]]
 +
 +
Not only are they generally based on a much more powerful [[MCU]] but they are also normally real [[STM32]]s<ref>I simply don't think fake [[STM32F411 exists at the moment even though that will probably change at some point</ref>.
 +
 +
Unlike the [[Blue Pill]] boards, the built-in bootloader (activated by pressing the "Boot 0" button during reset) support [[DFU]] (flashing over USB).  For development however, this is a bit tedious as it require a manual reset before flashing.  They are much easier to use if you use a [[ST-Link]] device for flashing.
 +
 +
==== Official [[ST]] Development Boards ====
 +
 +
===== ST Nucleo =====
 +
 +
As a beginner the best option '''by far''' is one of ST's own Nucleo development boards:
 +
 +
[[File:ST Nucleo Overview.jpg|800px]]
 +
 +
They are available with a wide range of [[STM32]] [[MCU]]s, and they are very reasonably priced.  If buying a Nucleo board from a reputed supplier (RS or Farnell/Element 14) you can be absolutely certain you got an original [[MCU]].
 +
 +
Best of all, these development boards contain not only the [[MCU]] but also a separate [[ST-Link]] device!  This just makes development and learning a '''lot''' easier!
 +
 +
'''Notice''': Most (if not all) if the Nucleo boards do not include a USB connector for the target MCU itself.  The USB port on the board is used for flashing alone.  If you want to target USB development, look at the [[#ST Discovery|Discovery boards]] instead.
 +
 +
===== ST Discovery =====
 +
 +
Like the [[#ST Nucleo|Nucleo]] development boards, the Discovery boards are self-contained development boards, including a [[ST-Link]] device, making flashing and debugging real easy.  They are typically slightly more expensive than the [[#ST Nucleo|Nucleo]] boards, but they typically include more hardware, buttons, leds, USB port, display etc.
 +
 +
== Arduino ==
 +
 +
Before diving into using the [[Arduino]] [[IDE]] with [[STM32]] development boards, I would like to stress that I think it is a horrible approach to learning.  The Arduino ecosystem was made to be really simple, quick and easy to get up and running, but as a result of that simplicity they require an Arduino specific bootloader on the target device and they lack "normal" debugging features.  When looking for Arduino examples, debugging is generally done by printing statements on a serial console and this is a horribly inefficient way of debugging code.
 +
 +
I suggest you skip this section completely and move on [[#STM32CubeIde|STM32CubeIde]].
 +
 +
[https://github.com/stm32duino/BoardManagerFiles/raw/main/package_stmicroelectronics_index.json https://github.com/stm32duino/BoardManagerFiles/raw/main/package_stmicroelectronics_index.json]
 +
 +
== Stm32CubeIde ==
 +
 +
Download STM32CubeIDE from [https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32cubeide.html here].
 +
 +
== Visual Studio Code ==
 +
 +
To be added (but for now, see [[STM32 development and debugging using VSCode]] for details.)
  
 
== Miscellaneous Links ==
 
== Miscellaneous Links ==
 +
 +
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZqwBuRpdns Youtube Getting Started with STM32]
 +
* [[Serial Debugging]]
 +
* [https://smartsolutions4home.com/how-to-program-stm32/ How to program STM32 – The Complete Guide]
  
 
=== Arduino ===
 
=== Arduino ===
Line 10: Line 185:
 
=== Stm32CubeIde ===
 
=== Stm32CubeIde ===
  
−
To be added
+
* [https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32cubeide.html STM32CubeIde Download] (registration required)
 +
 
 +
== References ==
 +
<references />

Latest revision as of 08:22, 14 November 2024

Getting started with STM32 development is a daunting task. The purpose of this page is to provide some basic pointers on how to make this journey easier.

NOTICE! We have started a new series of tutorial videos on Youtube. Please check STM32 Getting Started Tutorial Video Series (by STM32World).

Even people experienced with Arduino will find the STM32 confusing. Part of that confusion is due to the complexity of the STM32 devices being a lot more complex by themselves:

Arduino Uno STM32 "Blue Pill"[1] STM32 "Black Pill"[2]
MCU ATmega328P STM32F103 STM32F411
Core 8-bit 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4
Clock 16 MHz 72 MHz 100 MHz
RAM 2 kB 32 kB 128 kB
Flash 32 kB 64 kB/128 kB 512 kB
USB Yes[3] Gadget/Device Gadget/Device or Host[4]
Timers 2 7 11
ADCs 1 (8 channels) 2 (16 channels) 1 (16 channels)
DMA No Yes Yes

As can be seen from the basic technical specs, STM32 are much more complex than the simple AtMega328 used on the Arduino boards and because of that complexity (and flexibility) they represent a much steeper learning curve.

Basics

Youtube Videos

We have started a Youtube series. Videos are listed here: STM32 Tutorial Videos

Understanding the part numbers

When initially looking into STM32 the sheer number of different "versions" appear baffling. I have no idea how many different STM32 MCUs there are but it has got to be in the "hundreds". Fortunately, ST didn't just pick part numbers at random, there is in fact a system to the madness. ST themselves, on their website, provide the following example:

STM32 Naming.png

While not specifically mentioned in the above breakdown, the first number in the features field typically indicate the ARM core version. "STM32F1xx" will be based on an ARM Cortex-M3 core, while "STM32F4xx" are based on a M4 core. Also, different models have different built-in features - number of UARTS, number of I2C ports, number of SPI ports and number of timers. Once you have a development board it is absolutely essential that you local the exact datasheet for the relevant MCU and familiarize yourself with the features (for example, the datasheet for the STM32F411 MCU on the Black Pill is here.) The importance of familiarizing yourself with the relevant datasheet can not be stressed enough.

GPIO Voltage

While most Arduinos run on 5 V, the STM32 can only accept up to 3.3 V (a 5 V supply will fry them). However, while the MCU itself require a <= 3.3 V supply voltage, most GPIO pins are so-called "five volt tolerant"[5].

Clock

Many MCU run at whatever frequency crystal is attached to it. STM32s are slightly different in this aspect. Most STM32 MCUs can use pretty much any crystal oscillator between 8 GHz and 25 GHz. The crystal oscillator is used internally to drive a PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) which is then used to generate various internal clock signals. This clock configuration is rather complex and it is greatly helped by a graphical editor in STM32CubeMX. Here is an example using a STM32F103 with an external 16 MHz crystal:

STM32 Clock Example.png

Starting from the left, we first see that a 16 MHz external (HSE = High Speed External) crystal oscillator is used (as opposed to the less precise internal 8 MHz HSI (High Speed Internal) RC oscillator. This frequency is divided by two, feeding an 8 MHz clock into the PLL. The PLL will multiply this frequency by 9 to end up with a 72 MHz frequency. In this example USB is enabled and that require a stable and precise 48 MHz clock. This is derived from the 72 MHz by dividing with 1.5. 72 MHz is the highest this MCU will run at so no further prescaling is necessary. The 72 MHz clock is also fed to the DMA busses and the timers.

Bootloader

All STM32 MCUs include a built-in bootloader for "flashing". During startup, the status of the Boot0 pin will be asserted. If "low" (GND) the MCU will start normally. If "high" (= supply voltage - typically 3.3V) the internal bootloader will be executed. This essentially mean that it is very hard to "brick" a STM32 MCU to a point where it can not be recovered.

Prerequisites

ST-Link

A pile of cheap Chinese ST-Link clones

The ST-Link is a device especially designed to flash and debug STM32 MCU's.

STLink.jpg

ST can provide these at a reasonable price (< $20) but there are also a lot of Chinese "clones" available. The image to the right show a bunch of these clones.

While the original ST-Link devices provide additional features, the Chinese clones do get the job done and they have one benefit over the original that the pins on the device are clearly labelled. For some incomprehensible reason, ST decided not to label the pins on their device and that is really annoying in daily use.

Development Board

Before diving into the following sections, please note that the first ones are mostly listed here for completion. If you are a beginner in STM32 it is highly recommended that you pick one of the Official ST Development Boards. This can not be stressed enough.

Blue Pill

As mentioned earlier, there's a lot of different STM32 MCU variants and there's almost as many different development boards.

A very popular model was/is the so-called "Blue Pill" board:

Blue Pill top.jpg

There are different variants of these boards, but they are supposed to include a STM32F103 MCU. The problem is that almost none of them are. There are at least 6-8 Chinese companies making "clones" of the STM32F103 processor. Some of these are probably genuine MCUs with a properly licensed ARM core, that just happens to use the same memory map like the original. Some of these are labelled correctly and identifies themselves as "GD32F103" (from GigaDevice), HK32F103 or something else. Unfortunately some are labelled STM32F103xxx and it can be extremely hard to know which is which:

Fake STM32F103.jpg Real STM32F103.jpg
Fake STM32F103 (possibly a HK32) from some random Blue Pill board Real STM32F103 from my own Green Pill board

In short, while these boards are extremely cheap and readily available, I would suggest avoiding them completely. Working around the various bugs and lack of knowledge about the MCU just make them a gigantic waste of time.

Black Pill

A much better choice are the so-called "Black Pill" boards.

Two Different Black Pill Boards.jpg

Not only are they generally based on a much more powerful MCU but they are also normally real STM32s[6].

Unlike the Blue Pill boards, the built-in bootloader (activated by pressing the "Boot 0" button during reset) support DFU (flashing over USB). For development however, this is a bit tedious as it require a manual reset before flashing. They are much easier to use if you use a ST-Link device for flashing.

Official ST Development Boards

ST Nucleo

As a beginner the best option by far is one of ST's own Nucleo development boards:

ST Nucleo Overview.jpg

They are available with a wide range of STM32 MCUs, and they are very reasonably priced. If buying a Nucleo board from a reputed supplier (RS or Farnell/Element 14) you can be absolutely certain you got an original MCU.

Best of all, these development boards contain not only the MCU but also a separate ST-Link device! This just makes development and learning a lot easier!

Notice: Most (if not all) if the Nucleo boards do not include a USB connector for the target MCU itself. The USB port on the board is used for flashing alone. If you want to target USB development, look at the Discovery boards instead.

ST Discovery

Like the Nucleo development boards, the Discovery boards are self-contained development boards, including a ST-Link device, making flashing and debugging real easy. They are typically slightly more expensive than the Nucleo boards, but they typically include more hardware, buttons, leds, USB port, display etc.

Arduino

Before diving into using the Arduino IDE with STM32 development boards, I would like to stress that I think it is a horrible approach to learning. The Arduino ecosystem was made to be really simple, quick and easy to get up and running, but as a result of that simplicity they require an Arduino specific bootloader on the target device and they lack "normal" debugging features. When looking for Arduino examples, debugging is generally done by printing statements on a serial console and this is a horribly inefficient way of debugging code.

I suggest you skip this section completely and move on STM32CubeIde.

https://github.com/stm32duino/BoardManagerFiles/raw/main/package_stmicroelectronics_index.json

Stm32CubeIde

Download STM32CubeIDE from here.

Visual Studio Code

To be added (but for now, see STM32 development and debugging using VSCode for details.)

Miscellaneous Links

Arduino

To be added

Stm32CubeIde

References

  1. ↑ https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/stm32f103c8.pdf
  2. ↑ https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/stm32f411ce.pdf
  3. ↑ Flashing/Serial debug only
  4. ↑ The STM32F411 can run both Gadget and Host, but the actual development board might not support Host mode.
  5. ↑ There are some exceptions. When configured as an analog input pin, the pins are not 5V tolerant!
  6. ↑ I simply don't think fake [[STM32F411 exists at the moment even though that will probably change at some point
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