Where to start on STM32?

[henry.dick]

Posted on September 02, 2013 at 12:09

Hi,

Long time programmer for 8-bit mcus and just wanted to move my skills to STM32. Looked at some datasheets and found them to be daunting for me.

Any suggestions on how / how to start efficiently?

[Tesla DeLorean]

Posted on September 02, 2013 at 14:23

Which STM32 series are you focusing on?

For a general coverage of the core

http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Yiu/e/B001IQWINC

, there is a new M3/M4 edition scheduled for mid-November as I recall. This can be augmented with the ARM Technical Reference Manual

http://infocenter.arm.com/help/index.jsp?topic=/com.arm.doc.ddi0337i/index.html

http://infocenter.arm.com/help/topic/com.arm.doc.ddi0337e/DDI0337E_cortex_m3_r1p1_trm.pdf

http://infocenter.arm.com/help/topic/com.arm.doc.ddi0337e/DDI0337E_cortex_m3_r1p1_trm.pdf

From the ST perspective you'll want to refer to the the Data Sheet/Manual, and Reference Manual, and work through the firmware examples and the associated .CHM help file.

For the F4

http://www.st.com/web/catalog/mmc/FM141/SC1169/SS1577/LN11/PF252140#

http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/active/en/resource/technical/document/datasheet/DM00037051.pdf

http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/active/en/resource/technical/document/reference_manual/DM00031020.pdf

http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/active/en/resource/technical/document/programming_manual/DM00023388.pdf

http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/active/en/resource/technical/document/programming_manual/DM00046982.pdf

http://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/tools/PF257901

[jj2]

Posted on September 02, 2013 at 18:56

''Long time programmer for 8-bit mcus...daunting...''  Feel your pain - suspect that describes many here - and few (none) would go/look back!

In our group's case (small 15+ yr. firm) clients tore beloved 8051 enhanced device from our cold, bloody fingers.  (i.e. upgrade MCU performance - or else!)  Ten years back - ARMs were just poised to become affordable.  And now - very much mainstream - great support & price erosion... 

Add to Clive's excellent/detailed advice our suggestion to invest in several of the new M0 Eval Boards.  (sub 10USD - ''

STM32F0DISCOVERY Kit.''

)  You could not come close to this price via ''custom'' - and starting w/''known good'' HW - so important.  F0 is the most basic of this bunch - KISS argues that you start small - expand as your knowledge base & needs dictate.

You'll need an IDE - free ''code-size limited'' versions (IAR, Keil) get you up/running quickly - if time & mental health are considerations...

Armed w/that board, IDE, and many code examples and serious read of MCU manual - adventure awaits...

[Tesla DeLorean]

Posted on September 03, 2013 at 04:05

http://www.hitex.com/fileadmin/pdf/insiders-guides/stm32/isg-stm32-v18d-scr.pdf

http://www.amazon.com/Designers-Guide-Cortex-M-Processor-Family/dp/0080982964

http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~geobrown/book.pdf

[ee06091]

Posted on September 03, 2013 at 11:14

http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~geobrown/book.pdf

 +1

It is a really good book and cover all the aspects from the beginning :)