[ARM] ARM microcontroller programming start

I would like to learn ARM microcontroller programming and i would need suggestions about which microcontroller to start and which programmer.

I am waiting your opinions.

All ARM core architecture designs are owned by ARM, Ltd which in turn licenses these cores to manufactures whom combine the ARM core with various peripheral modules to produce a complete microcontroller.

ARM Ltd's tight control of the core design ensures the functional elements of the core and its associated instruction set(s) remains uniform regardless of the manufacture of the actual microcontroller.

While the nomenclature for a register, timer, etc within a specific compiler, header files, etc, may vary from one manufacturer/programming platform to another, the basic functionality of a common ARM core remains the same regardless of the manufacturer or programming platform.

The uniformity helps facilitate a programmer/designer the ability to migrate from a microcontroller of a specific ARM architecture manufactured by one company to a microcontroller of the same ARM architecture produced by another.

Currently the ARM Cortex-Mx series is quite popular, many manufacturers of ARMs offer a line of Cortex-M0, Cortex-M3 or Cortex-M4, including Atmel, TI, NXP, STM and others.

There are numerous relatively inexpensive development boards available which feature the Cortex-M3 series, several for less than $10 USD.

STM32VLDISCOVERY

STM32F3DISCOVERY

Olimex Atmel ARM Boards

Olimex NXP ARM Boards

Olimex STM ARM Boards

Embedded Artists NXP Development Boards

The STM32 Discovery line of development boards are an excellent value for your money, as these boards typically include a JTAG programmer/debugger which is compatible with several programming platforms including KEIL MDK-ARM compiler and uVision IDE.


If serious about learning and programming any of ARM series, you will want reliable JTAG programmer/debugger hardware, unless the development board provides a dedicated JTAG programmer/debugger.

I own several Segger JTAG programmer/debuggers which can be quite expensive, however they do offer an educational version of their JLink, essentially the same as their professional version for approximately $50 USD, a fantastic deal:

Segger J-Link EDU


Hope the info helps you in your endeavors,

BigDog

for STM32F0 Discovery it is needs
{
-CooCox CoIDE-1.7.6.exe
(http://www.coocox.org/Tools/CoIDE-1.7.6.exe)
-gcc-arm-none-eabi-4_7-2013
-STM32 ST-LINK Utility (http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/...e/technical/software/utility/stsw-link004.zip)
}
or mikroC for ARM instead of this.
and
-(**broken link removed**)
-MicroXplorer (**broken link removed**)
-reference manual and datasheet for mcu



However is possible to use hand-maded test board.

also i see EmBlocks v1.45 is good choice for STM32.

I have just bought the
STMICROELECTRONICS - STM32F429I-DISCO - STM32F4, DISCOVERY, EVAL BOARD

and i would like to programming it with IAR worbench (i have a student edition).
Is this possible?
I need to install any drivers for this board ?

Andrew2 said:

I have just bought the
STMICROELECTRONICS - STM32F429I-DISCO - STM32F4, DISCOVERY, EVAL BOARD

HTML:

http://uk.farnell.com/stmicroelectronics/stm32f429i-disco/stm32f4-discovery-eval-board/dp/2355377

and i would like to programming it with IAR worbench (i have a student edition).
Is this possible?
I need to install any drivers for this board ?

Click to expand...

Hi,
Yes it's possible. the only driver you need is ST-Link Driver for programming the board.(usually installs with IAR - This board has a ST-Link Programmer/Debugger onboard )

You can also download ST-Link utility from ST.com : https://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/tools/PF258168

After installing ST-Link utility, st-link driver will be Ok. Also, if you install ST-Link Utility , you can upgrade ST-Link Firmware on STM32F429I-DICOVERY board if it 's old. (After connecting the board, run ST-Link utility and from ST-link menu select Firmware upgrade).

For Development IDE, i like KEIL more than IAR (mainly because i'm familiar with it from 8051 world) and it has a free 32 KB Version.
In Open Source World , i'm using CooCox IDE + GCC ARM Embedded.

any tutorial how to use ST-Link utility and IAR with STM32F429I-DISCO - STM32F4, DISCOVERY, EVAL BOARD ???

Andrew2 said:

any tutorial how to use ST-Link utility and IAR with STM32F429I-DISCO - STM32F4, DISCOVERY, EVAL BOARD ???

Click to expand...

Hi,

Check this Guide from IAR : https://www.iar.com/Global/Products/Starter_kits/GS-ST-LINK-3.pdf

it's for STM8 & STM32.

also check this thread on st.com (you may face this problem) : **broken link removed**

BTW : if you are looking for examples check these firmware packages from ST:

with Standard Drivers : https://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/tools/PF259429
with HAL Drivers : https://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/tools/PF259243

Both have many ready to use examples with Keil,IAR &...

Good Luck!

DeepOne said:

for STM32F0 Discovery it is needs
{
-CooCox CoIDE-1.7.6.exe
(http://www.coocox.org/Tools/CoIDE-1.7.6.exe)
-gcc-arm-none-eabi-4_7-2013
-STM32 ST-LINK Utility (http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/...e/technical/software/utility/stsw-link004.zip)
}
or mikroC for ARM instead of this.
and
-(**broken link removed**)
-MicroXplorer (**broken link removed**)
-reference manual and datasheet for mcu

Click to expand...

Hello,
Can you share some example with st32 discovery board ?
It will be more easy to understand ARM....
Thanks in advance!

cometa said:

Hello,
Can you share some example with st32 discovery board ?
It will be more easy to understand ARM....
Thanks in advance!

Click to expand...

simply Goto STMicroelectronics Website (st.com) , Search your Discovery board name and download the Firmware package. In Firmware package, you can find many examples for 4-5 Different IDEs.

hey
if you have an interest in linux platform(Debian) and want to make GUI based programming go with
Beaglebone
RaspberryPi
friendlyARm
they are used in many applications and ease to use.