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()