Using a NUCLEO dev board with the integrated ST-Link removed

[Kmax18]

I have completed an initial version of embedded C-code using the NUCLEO-F103RB. As a next step I plan to 'break off' the ST-Link portion and use the remaining NUCLEO board for building prototype hardware.

Question: is there an Application Note or best practices guides that describe how to do this, manage any code changes, and what to expect in general?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[Mike_ST · Accepted solution]

Hello,

I'm not aware of any application note,

For convenience, just try to complete your code before separating the boards.

And later, if you need to do some more changes in the code, you can reconnect the two as follow:

1) Connect the ST-Link CN4 connector to the "morpho" connector
- V_target sense (optionnal if SB 11 is closed) : CN7 pin 16 <=> CN4 pin 1
- GND : CN7 pin 19 (or other GND pins) <=> CN4 pin 3
- PA14 SWDIO/JTMS : CN7 pin 15 <=> CN4 pin 2
- PA15 SWDCK/JTCK : CN7 pin 17 <=> CN4 pin 4
- RESET (optionnal) : CN7 pin 14 <=> CN4 pin 5
- SWO (optionnal) : CN7 pin 19 <=> CN4 pin 6
- PA2/PA3 UART RX/TX (optionnal) : CN3 pins 1 and 2 <=> CN10 pins 35 and 37 (make sure SB62 and SB63 are shorted)

2) Power the MCU board through the "morpho" connector (CN7 pin 12 for 3.3V + CN7 pin 8 for GND) from an external power source (make sure JP6 is closed)

3) Connect the ST-Link to computer with a USB cable

Hopefully, it should work.

In any cases, please cross check what I've written above with the schematic here:

https://www.st.com/en/evaluation-tools/nucleo-f103rb.html#cad-resources