Setting Up the Tools of the Trade
In the world of embedded systems, crafting efficient firmware begins with a clear comprehension of the tools available. This chapter will guide you in establishing a robust development environment, ensuring that you are equipped with all the necessary tools for a comprehensive firmware development experience.
Central to our discussion is the concept of datasheets. Consider these as the detailed blueprints for any microcontroller, encompassing its capabilities, specifications, and intricate details. However, the challenge often isn’t merely understanding a datasheet but also sourcing the correct datasheets tailored to your specific microcontroller. To address this, I will assist you in pinpointing and understanding both datasheets and user manuals important to our chosen microcontroller.
As we progress, we’ll delve into the intricacies of setting up our Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and acknowledging its critical function within the development life cycle. Furthermore, you’ll gain insights into configuring the GNU Arm Embedded Toolchain and OpenOCD. These tools will later empower us to craft our firmware, bypassing the need for an IDE altogether.
In this chapter, we will explore the following main topics:
- Essential development tools for microcontrollers
- The development board
- Datasheets and manuals – unraveling the details
- Navigating the STM32CubeIDE
