Hi,
I’m interested in the following product, but a friend told me that I should buy a uLink or N-link programmer/debugger, and that the software to code the mcu is not free, that I’ll have to hunt for an open-source one, etc. etc. Here’s what I want to buy from sparkfun,
Prototype Board for STM32
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts_id=8560
but if it’s all that trouble to program it, then maybe I should stick this,
AVCore
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts_id=9024
I like the STM32 board a lot better because it has SD slot, but don’t want a high learning curve.
So my question is, if someone can tell me for sure all I need to get the STM32 board to work without having to buy other expensive items, then I would greatly appreciate it! To be honest, at this stage it’s fine to pay $21 for,
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … cts_id=275
but is that all I need? Just two items, right,
-
Prototype Board for STM32
-
JTAG Programmer/Debugger for ARM processors
I just wish sparkfun could make this very clear what a person needs.
Thanks!
Paul
If you’re just coming from AVRs, the STM32 is going to throw you for a bit.
But
a) Don’t get the parallel port wiggler. The Olimex USB OCD is faster, and better supported (the Segger JLink is even better, at a cost).
b) GCC is very capable of producing Cortex-M3 code these days (thanks to the CodeSourcery people). YAGARTO can compile it, so does the CodeSourcery version.
c) You’ll want a “building block” base to get you off the ground (linker script, etc). ChibiOS/RT is a good start (they support STM32 out of the box) http://chibios.sourceforge.net/
d) You’ll need to implement the SD card routines yourself. Contribute them if you can. There are some open source FAT layers available. SparkFun uses quite a few for their LPC2148 parts.
Hi,
ChibiOS/RT sounds great. Does ChibiOS replace GCC?
This is the first time to use any mcu, and I spent too much money on other things, so for now I might have to get the cheap parallel port wiggler, unless there’s something better under $30.
About the SD card, you have me concerned now. There would be no SD code I could just drop in and work for one of the STM32 eval boards?
Thanks!
Paul
No. ChibiOS is an RTOS (Real Time Operating System). GCC is a compiler.
If this is your first time with a microcontroller, stop right now. Start simple. An AVR or an Arduino (AVR with extra software sauce) is what you want. Get the basics down first - otherwise you’ll be lost and frustrated in no time.
To be honest all I wanted to build was a data logger for low frequency voltage signals, and store the data on a SD card. So those are the requirements, but the more I thought the more it made sense to get a board that had other cool things like an LCD display … maybe one day to make a little portable oscilloscope. 
Since it’s a data logger, it should be at least 12-bit ADC. That’s why someone recommended the STM32, but it sounds like a headache. I’ll see if I can find an eval board like you said that has SD slot, 12-bit ADC, and hopefully an LCD display.
Thanks,
Paul
My friend was the one pushing for SD slot, but wouldn’t it be just as easy to simply plug a USB drive into the eval board? There are a lot more eval boards with USB than SD, right?
Regards,
Paul
That won’t work unless the MCU has USB host mode, or OTG.
Leon
How about this eval board,
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … cts_id=772
It has 12-bit ADC, but check this out, it also has 12-bit DAC.
The LCD is a bit wimpy at 84x48 pixels. Joystick, a plus. And has a SD slot.
The million dollar question is, what else do I need to buy to get this thing going? I mean, is all of the software to do this free? It seems I have to buy a MSP-JTAG Parallel Port Programmer, only $15 though. And is the debugging software free?
Thanks,
Paul
Hi Leon,
For now I’m only interested in prefabricated eval boards. So if the board has a USB plug, then wouldn’t the mcu support it?
Thanks,
Paul
Unless the board specifically states “OTG” (On The Go) or “Host”, it does not support the right USB mode. It will be a device only.
theatrus:
Unless the board specifically states “OTG” (On The Go) or “Host”, it does not support the right USB mode. It will be a device only.
I guess that rules this out,
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … cts_id=476
but it has SD.
pmlonline:
How about this eval board,
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … cts_id=772
The LCD is a bit wimpy at 84x48 pixels. Joystick, a plus. And has a SD slot.
The million dollar question is, what else do I need to buy to get this thing going? I mean, is all of the software to do this free? It seems I have to buy a MSP-JTAG Parallel Port Programmer, only $15 though. And is the debugging software free?
First off, do you actually have a real parallel port? A USB parallel printer cable will NOT work with any of these parallel port adapters. If you have one however, the cable will work.
I strong recommend TIs USB FET - it is $99 from TI, but worth it in speed and less headaches.
I love the MSP430 as a platform myself and think it would be perfect for your data logging use (it gets even better with an external voltage reference, but thats for later when you refine the design).
The open source compiler is mspgcc (http://mspgcc.sf.net), which can interface with both the parallel and USB FETs on Windows. Code output quality is “ok” (no surprises at least if you don’t venture into experimental MSP430X). I’ve used it for years and only have been let down a few times
TI also ships a free version of CodeComposer and the associated compilers which is limited to 16KB of C code. The upgrade to a full version is spendier ($500). Rowley Crossworks also has a Hobbyist version for less.