STM32 F407 LED Blinking using MicroPython

Overview

This project demonstrates how to set up MicroPython on an STM32 F407 microcontroller and execute a basic LED blinking program using Python. The tutorial includes steps to flash MicroPython, set up serial communication, and run the code.

Hardware Requirements

• STM32F407 Discovery Board
• ST-Link V2 (if required for flashing)
• Micro-USB cable for power and communication

Software Requirements

• STM32CubeProgrammer (for flashing the MicroPython firmware)
• MicroPython firmware (.hex file) for STM32
• Tera Term (for serial communication)

---

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Download MicroPython for STM32

1. Visit the official MicroPython website
2. Download the latest stable MicroPython firmware for STM32F407 (usually in .hex format).

---

Step 2: Flash MicroPython to STM32F407

1. Visit the official STM32CubeProgrammer Website
2. Download the Software according to you System Requirements (Windows/Linux/Mac)
3. Open STM32CubeProgrammer and connect the STM32 board.
4. Select the correct ST-Link Interface.
5. Click "Open File", browse for the downloaded MicroPython .hex file, and select it.
6. Click "Download" to flash MicroPython to the STM32 board.
7. Once the process completes, restart the board.

---

Step 3: Open Serial Communication

1. Install Tera Term (if not installed already).
2. Open Tera Term and select the correct COM port.
3. Set the Baud rate to 115200.
4. Click "OK" to establish a connection.
5. Press Enter, and you should see a >>> MicroPython REPL prompt.

---

Step 4: LED Blinking with MicroPython

Save the following script as led_blink.py and run it on the STM32 board.

import pyb
import time

while True:
    pyb.LED(1).on()   
    time.sleep(1)   
    pyb.LED(1).off()  

    pyb.LED(4).on()  
    time.sleep(1)
    pyb.LED(4).off()

    pyb.LED(2).on()   
    time.sleep(1)
    pyb.LED(2).off()  

    pyb.LED(3).on()  
    time.sleep(1)
    pyb.LED(3).off()  

    pyb.LED(2).on()  
    time.sleep(1)
    pyb.LED(2).off()

    pyb.LED(4).on()   
    time.sleep(1)
    pyb.LED(4).off()  

    pyb.LED(1).on()  
    time.sleep(1)
    pyb.LED(1).off()

    pyb.LED(3).on()   
    time.sleep(1)
    pyb.LED(3).off()

---

Step 5: Running the Script

1. Open Tera Term and connect to the STM32 board.
2. Enter >>> to access the MicroPython REPL.
3. Type:

   exec(open("led_blink.py").read()) (or) click the right click of the mouse

   This will execute the script and blink the onboard LEDs in sequence.

---

Expected Output

• The STM32 onboard LEDs (LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4) will blink in a specific order.
• The loop runs indefinitely until manually stopped.

---

Troubleshooting

1. No Output in Tera Term

• Ensure STM32 is properly connected.
• Restart the board and reattempt connection.
• Select the correct Baud Rate: 115200.

2. MicroPython Not Responding

• Try pressing Reset Button on STM32.
• Use CTRL + D to soft reboot MicroPython.

3. Flashing Issues

• Use STM32CubeProgrammer to verify the MicroPython firmware is correctly written.
• If flashing fails, check the ST-Link connection and retry.

---

Conclusion

This project successfully sets up MicroPython on STM32F407 and demonstrates a basic LED blinking program using Python. With MicroPython, STM32 boards can be programmed quickly and easily without needing traditional C-based firmware development.

---

STM32 F411RE LED Blinking using MicroPython

Overview

This project demonstrates how to set up MicroPython on an STM32 F411RE microcontroller and execute a basic LED blinking program using Python. The tutorial includes steps to flash MicroPython, set up serial communication, and run the code.

---

Hardware Requirements

• STM32F411RE Nucleo Board
• ST-Link V2 (if required for flashing)
• Micro-USB cable for power and communication

---

Software Requirements

• STM32CubeProgrammer (for flashing the MicroPython firmware)
• MicroPython firmware (.hex file) for STM32
• Tera Term (for serial communication)

---

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Download MicroPython for STM32

• Visit the official MicroPython website
• Download the latest stable MicroPython firmware for STM32F411RE (usually in .hex format).

---

Step 2: Flash MicroPython to STM32F411RE

• Visit the official STM32CubeProgrammer Website
• Download the software according to your system requirements (Windows/Linux/Mac).
• Open STM32CubeProgrammer and connect the STM32 board.
• Select the correct ST-Link Interface.
• Click "Open File", browse for the downloaded MicroPython .hex file, and select it.
• Click "Download" to flash MicroPython to the STM32 board.
• Once the process completes, restart the board.

---

Step 3: Open Serial Communication

• Install Tera Term (if not installed already).
• Open Tera Term and select the correct COM port.
• Set the Baud rate to 115200.
• Click "OK" to establish a connection.
• Press Enter, and you should see a >>> MicroPython REPL prompt.

---

Step 4: LED Blinking with MicroPython

Since the STM32F411RE board has only one onboard LED, we will use LED1, which is connected to pin PA5.

Save the following script as led_blink1.py and run it on the STM32 board.

import machine
import time

led = machine.Pin("PA5", machine.Pin.OUT)  # Define PA5 as an output pin

while True:
    led.on()   # Turn LED on
    time.sleep(1)  # Wait for 1 second
    led.off()  # Turn LED off
    time.sleep(1)  # Wait for 1 second

---

Step 5: Running the Script

• Open Tera Term and connect to the STM32 board.

• Enter >>> to access the MicroPython REPL.

• Type:

  exec(open("led_blink1.py").read())  

  (or) right-click and select "Paste", then press Enter.

  This will execute the script and blink the onboard LED in a loop.

---

Expected Output

• The onboard LED (PA5) will blink ON and OFF every 1 second.
• The loop runs indefinitely until manually stopped.

---

Troubleshooting

1. No Output in Tera Term

• Ensure STM32 is properly connected.
• Restart the board and reattempt connection.
• Select the correct Baud Rate: 115200.

2. MicroPython Not Responding

• Try pressing Reset Button on STM32.
• Use CTRL + D to soft reboot MicroPython.

3. Flashing Issues

• Use STM32CubeProgrammer to verify the MicroPython firmware is correctly written.
• If flashing fails, check the ST-Link connection and retry.

---

Conclusion

This project successfully sets up MicroPython on STM32F411RE and demonstrates a basic LED blinking program using Python. With MicroPython, STM32 boards can be programmed quickly and easily without needing traditional C-based firmware development.

---

Author: [ARISUDAN TH]

GitHub: [https://github.com/Arisudan]