Cordless Power Tool Vacuum Cleaner Starter - Details

Page 4

Programming the Microcontroller

The microcontroller firmware binary files are available for download from this link. The source code is here.

The easiest way to program the microcontroller is to use the STM32CubeProgrammer software, which is free to download. Install the software, including the various drivers.

Once the installation is complete, follow these steps:

  • Connect a USB-C cable from your computer to the Black Pill development board. The red LED should come on.
  • Hold down the button marked "BOOT0" and then briefly press the button marked "NRST".
  • Start the STM32CubeProgrammer software. You should be presented with a screen that looks something like this (click on any image for a bigger view):

  • As shown in the image above, you should select "USB" from the drop-down menu on the right-hand side. You can then click "Connect" and you'll see something that looks like this (the exact contents of the middle address/data window is likely to vary).

  • Click on "Open File" and navigate to the file you would like to install. There are different versions for each manufacturer and socket number as well as builds for use on a Nucleo-F411RE or the Weact Studio Black Pill F411CE. It makes no difference whether you choose the .elf file or the .bin file.
  • Click "Download" and you'll see something that looks like this:

  • You can optionally now click on the small arrow beside the Download button and click "Verify" to make sure the program was loaded properly.
  • Click "Disconnect" in the top-right hand corner.
  • Press the "NRST" button (without touching the "BOOT0" button) to start the program running.
  • Verify that the program is running by pressing the button marked "KEY" a few times. You should see the blue LED change state (not necessarily every time you press the button - don't worry about that for now).
  • Unplug the USB-C cable and move onto the next section of these instructions.

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