STMFlashLoader/STMFlashLoader Demo not quite working - suggestions?

papadeltasierra · ‎2024-04-07

I have followed AN2959 and have a bootloader running on an STM8S Discovery board but I cannot make either the command line or GUI based STMFlashLoader programs upload a program - can anyone help?

- The command line version always says `No response from the target, the Boot loader can not be started.` and from running the bootloader under debug, I cannot see any attempt to talk to the bootloader

- The GUI version does connect but will not upload an `s19` image saying `Cannot find the E_W_ROUTINEs file. Please make sure you selected the right device...` except that on the previous page, no devices were listed.

FWIW, the command-line set-up is port 9 (Windows COM9), 9600, 8, E, 1 but as I say, there is is no indication that the program is trying to send anything!

Thanks for any suggestions, even if just debugging tips to try!

papadeltasierra · ‎2024-04-11

The very cheap and readily available HC-12 boards use an stm8s003f3 and a SiliconLabs 4463 to do wireless TX/RX. In standard HC-12 guise they are pretty boring but I believe they can be "freed" using custom firmware to do more exciting stuff like at work as receiver of W-MBUS data etc. My plan is:

- Use sample code wherever possible so...

- Use the ST sample bootloader

- Use the SiLabs sample transmit/receive app

- Split the 4463 config between fixed and "worth making configurable" where the configuration will live in the 128 bytes of EEPROM.

So an HC-12 would end up being a specialised "one frequency, one wireless set-up" board for custom uses. To change from say OOK to FSK or 4-FSK would be an EEPROM change and then these boards become ever more useful. Initial investigation is that 8kB is enough for the sample bootloader and the transmit/receive application with no bells-or-whistles.

I started because I happen to want a W-MBUS receiver and have an HC-12 and it has been a long time since I did any programming in such a restricted environment. It's purely a "fun home project" so I definitely will not be designing circuit boards or making this a commercial project. It will be open-sourced though.