How to choose STM microcontroller for project?

[Rimvis123]

Hello guys,
I want to make a gas sensor project, but don't know how to start. My project is a lamp, which should detect gas in room or other space and if the lamp detects gas it starts to glow red and if there is no gas it starts to glow white and then thru bluetooth send information to my phone app (which I need create myself) where i can regulate led color or see gas concentration. I want to use STM microcontroller, a gas sensor (I would like to use gas sensors which can measure CO, methane or LPG, so in my opinion MQ5,MQ9 or MQ6 are good) , maybe HC-05 (I want some advice if this is good for sending information to my mobile app) and a buzzer. So the main question is which STM controller I have to use? The STM32F103C8T6 looks like a better arduino, so maybe it is a good idea to use nucleo board? But which one, there are too many of them .

 

[Aussie Susan]

The way I go about my personal projects like this is to get the biggest development board I can afford and develop on that. Then when I know the resource usage of the final app (RAM, Flash, I/O modules, GPIO lines etc.) I can select the most appropriate MCU that does the job.
In my case I then design a PCB that implements the project (and a 3D printed case etc.) and the parts, build it up and run the thing.
That then leaves me with a development board for the next project.
However your development process/budget/patience may well differ - thsi is just my way.
Susan

 

[KlausST]

Hi,

A design starts with requirements and specifications.

Some example that relates to your project.
* Basically you want to process "some gas information"
So the first specifications you need to answer (yourself)
* what gas information are you interested in?
* what range (minumim, maximum values) are you interested in?
* what's the smallest stepsize you need to destinguish?
* how fast do you need to update/ process the data.

Then you chose an sensor that matches these requirements.
The sensor datasheet tells you about interface and how the "gas information" is converted.
In case of a MQxx sensor ... it is an analog interface.
So according your initial requirements you now can calculate the "gas information" into analog signal information.
Now you know the "analog requirements" (range, resolution).
These analog requirements need to match the ADC.
Now you need to check whether the built in ADC is suitable or you need an external ADC. You also determine whether/how your analog signal needs to be pricessed (range adjustment using amplifiers, filters ....)
According the ADC specification you now can determine the digital range/ resolution.
... and so on...

It's straight forward and thus can be "designed" step by step.. (including microcontroller selection and software)
Gas --> sensor --> analog information --> analog signal processing --> ADC --> digital information --> digital signal processing --> and so on

There's nothing unknown. No need to guess. No need to "trial and error".

I usually go this way. Before I draw the first piece of schematic I already know what values to expect at each state.
The same is true for software. I have clear expectations, sometimes in my brain, but usually on a piece of paper.

For sure many designers go a different way. They don't know what to expect, try this and that, and sometimes it works and sometimes not.
Sometimes it "looks like it works" but refuses to work with a different sensor, with different conditions.... not my way.

Klaus

 

[thannara123]

It is beter to develop with a Nucleo Board , and finnally you can port it aptable stm controller .
Nucleo Board stm32f070 ,I am using this one