Week 11-13    MSP430 and STM32 Basics

Introduction

In this lecture, we were introduced to two industry standard microcontrollers, MSP430 and STM32. We also explored the communication with the HC-05 Bluetooth module. While exploring the MSP430 and ST32, we were introduced to two IDEs that are used with the microcontrollers, which were the Energia IDE and CubeIDE. By completing these tutorials we are hoping to broaden our understanding of using microcontrollers other than the Arduinos we have used all semester.

MSP430 Tutorial 1

In this tutorial we were introduced to the MCU and learned about some of its features. The first task of the tutorial had us use the blink example to have the green led and red led blink on the board, as seen in Demonstration 1 and 2. In the second task we were given a piece of code to test to check the functionality of the board and serial communication as shown in Figure 1. For the third task we built a voltage divider using a potentiometer and a 10k resistor, which the setup can be seen in Figure 2 and Demonstration 3.

Demonstration 1: Green led blinking.

Demonstration 2: Red led blinking.

Figure 1: Checking the functionality of the board and serial communication.

Figure 2: Setup of voltage divider using a potentiometer and a 10k resistor.

Demonstration 3: Using voltage divider.

The minimum value is higher than VDD/2 because of the residue resistance of the potentiometer.

MSP430 Tutorial 2

In this tutorial we were introduced to wireless communication through a Bluetooth module using the HC-05. In the first task, we were given code and schematic to use the HC-05 and terminal app to control an LED connected to MSP430 as shown in Demonstration 4. In the second task, we used a voice control app to turn on, turn off, and have the led blink as shown in Demonstration 5. In the third task we used an example code to show a display on the OLED screen and to show only text on the screen as shown in Demonstration 6 and Figure 3. In the fourth task we used the Bluetooth module, the MSP430, OLED display, and terminal app to send a message from the phone to be displayed on the screen as shown in Figure 4.

Demonstration 4: Use the HC-05 and terminal app to control an LED connected to MSP430

Demonstration 5: Use a voice control app to turn on, turn off, and have the led blink.

Demonstration 6: OLED display using example code.

Figure 3: Using OLED to display text.

Figure 4: Send message to be displayed on screen.

STM32 Tutorial 1

In this tutorial we were introduced to the STM32, which is a popular microcontroller. In task 1, we were given the task to get the green led on the board to blink as shown in Demonstration 7. In the second task we needed to send a string to the serial monitor, which we sent "Hello World!!!" as can be seen in Figure 5. In the third task we needed to echo any data received over UART on the serial monitor, which can be seen in Figure 6. In the fourth task we needed to use I2C communication with the MPU6050 to display the measurements, which can be seen in Demonstration 8 and 9.

Demonstration 7: Green led blinking.

Figure 5: Send a string to the serial monitor.

Demonstration 8: I2C communication with the MPU6050 without units.

Discussion

By completing these tasks it gave me a better understanding of the MSP430, the STM32, the MPU6050, the HC-05, and the OLED Display. I was able to gain experience with using some microcontrollers that are considered the standard in the industry. Using the different protocols and IDEs have been a good learning experience as I have became more comfortable with them. This we a great tutorial to go through as I got to refine many skills that I have picked up over the semester.

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