Month: June 2020

printf() using ST-Link debug interface (SWD, ITM View)

Intention

ARM provides the possibility to use a printf() like a serial output, using the SWD interface (ITM port 0). This example describes the usage using a Nucleo-64 board, ST-Link v2.1 and the STM32CubeIDE.

Note: The Cortex-M0 doesn’t have the required hardware in the mcu. So it is not possible on it.

switch printf() to the debug interface

Often you find the describtion to overwrite _write(). That’s correct. In case of the STM32CubeIDE generated code it is also possible to overwrite the more low level __io_putchar().

/* USER CODE BEGIN 4 */
int __io_putchar(int ch) {
    ITM_SendChar(ch);
    return ch;
}
/* USER CODE END 4 */

Debug Settings

You have to enable the Serial Wire Viewer (SWV). The most relevant setting is the Core clock. You have to configure the correct clock frequency, that you initialize within your application.

STM32CubeIDE Debug Configuration
STM32CubeIDE Debug Configuration SWV

Prepare the Debug view

  • Open the SWV ITM Console
open SWV ITM Console
open SWV ITM Console

printf() uses the SWO connector and the trace port 0.

  • Add ITM port 0
ITM port 0
ITM port 0
  • Enable ITM port 0
ITM port 0
ITM port 0
  • Start trace to view the printf() output
Start Trace
Start Trace

That’s all.

output
printf output

Alternative ST-Link Utility

ST-Link_Utility config
ST-Link_Utility config

 

Using UART3 as virtual COM on Nucleo-64 / STM32L476

Intention

By default the UART2 is connected to the virtual COM of the ST-Link. The same UART is possible to connect to the Arduino connector.

So I want to connect the UART3 to the virtual COM connector and use the UART2 for the Arduino connector (CN9 Pin 1 and 2),

The description is for an Nucleo-64 STM32L476, but should be compatible to some more Nucleo-64 boards, too.

Hardware changes

Switch UART2 to the Arduino connector

  1. open solder bridge SB13 and SB14
  2. close solder bridge SB62 and SB63
Nucleo-64 Uart2 to Arduino
Nucleo-64 solder bridges

Nucleo-64 evaluation board

Switch UART3 to the VCOM of the ST-Link

  1.  connect ST-Link connector TX to PC5 (Uart3 RX, CN10 pin 6)
  2. connect ST-Link connector RX to PC4 (Uart3 TX, CN10 pin 34)
Nucleo-64 UART3 to ST-Link
Wires to connect the UART3 to the ST-Link

Software changes

  • initialize UART3  (e.g. 115200 Baud, 8N1) with PC4 and PC5
  • in case you want to use printf
int __io_putchar(int ch) {
    HAL_UART_Transmit(&huart3, (uint8_t *)&ch, 1, 0xFFFF);
    //ITM_SendChar(ch);
    return ch;
}
  • alternatively overwrite _write()