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CForth for STM32F411 Black Pill and Nucleo (STM32L476 or STM32F411)

Though the STM32F411 processor is quite "slim" compared with STM32G4xx and STM32L476 (no DAC!! and less optional peripheral features), the Black Pill standalone board offers a very attractive pinout to be used as a "heart" of really working user applications.
 
Because a breadboard setup is not stable enough for a longtime working application, I have designed this support circuit board. The RS-232 interface is very comfortable for CForth interactive programming, because any CPU reset demands a new start of the virtual COM terminal software (general USB problem).
 
The optional MIDI and DMX512 interface is probably less interesting for most users, the board size can be reduced as needed. For a practically useable application an off-set USB connector however provides more design freedom than the onboard USB connector. The Veroboard design is an advantage against etched, when a good expansion idea comes later.
 
This triggered me to adopt this design for my own projects. The result is the simplified STM32G4xx LQFP48 based "Grey Pill". Made with home-maker's technology, the USB connector, reset and BOOT0 button didn't fit on the board (another reason to design this support board).

Assembly of the Black Pill support circuit board (top and solder side view).

A detailled CForth Operating Manual (PDF file), and
A hardware DIY Construction Manual for Black Pill /Grey Pill support board" (HTML file) is provided here.

The Nucleo versions
are a longtime result of an older project, which has an ASCII / MIDI based command set, but no possibility to create a time-based action flow.
The DIP switch and dual LED are no essential part in CForth context, may be used for user I/O. No DMX transmitter hardware is provided on this board, must be added by user if needed.

Assembly of the Nucleo Veroboard (top and solder side view).

A basic firmware version for an unmodified STM32L476 and STM32F411 Nucleo is provided, too.
 
A good tool for Forth source code upload is my DTerm Windows terminal software. It is surely not the best terminal emulator, but has been developed over the years for best fitness with my actual projects.

Downloads:
The subsequently downloadable material is copyrighted (c)2020-24 by Wolfgang Schemmert.
Assembly of the devices, programming and use of the software is permitted for free by everybody for any purpose ("freeware"). For commercial use, restrictions of third-party software contributors (Segger GmbH, STM) must be respected.
All information is based on best knowledge, but "as is" and without any warranty. Any responsibility is excluded. Use for dangerous, life-threatening and medical applications is forbidden.
 
The actual firmware is programmed with "Segger Embedded Studio 5.44".
 
These firnware versions have essentially the same features as the standard STM32G431 version.

Veroboard layout for the Black Pill support board
(1:1 TIF format. The same board is used for STM32G4xx LQFP48 "Grey Pill")

DiY manual with Veroboard layout for STM32L476 and STM32F411 Nucleo "base board" (PDF file)
For the STM32F411 Nucleo an USART TX inverter must be added. Veroboard compatible example see Black Pill support board.
(1:1 TIF format. BOTTOM layer as well as component placement view are "from component side", i.e. BOTTOM layer shown mirrored "through the PCB" (as needed for PCB production))

Firmware "CForth-F411-blackpill.hex" for STM32F411 BlackPill standalone unit with or without support board.
The F411 on-chip USB and USART is supported for communication.
(09 April 2024 - bugfix)

Firmware "CForth-F411-blackpilldmx.hex" for STM32F411 BlackPill standalone unit with DMX512 transmitter on support board.
The F411 on-chip USB and USART is supported for communication and DMX.
(09 April 2024 - bugfix)

Firmware "CForth-F411-cutoff.hex" for a Nucleo board with the ST-LINK module cut off.
The F411 on-chip USB and USART is supported for communication.
(09 April 2024 - bugfix)

Firmware "CForth-F411-cutoff-dmx.hex" for a Nucleo board with the ST-LINK module cut off. No DMX hardware is on board, must be added by user!
The L476 on-chip USB and USART is supported for communication and DMX.
Else features almost the same as CForth-G4xx-48.
(09 April 2024 - bugfix)

Firmware "CForth-NucleoF411-orig.hex"
reduced version for an unmodified STM32F411 Nucleo-64 board.
Terminal communication exclusively via ST-Link USB.
(09 April 2024 - bugfix)

Source code "CForth-F411-v2.zip"
(state 09 April 2024) This source code is provided as complete "Segger Embedded Studio" project (ZIP file, 681 kB).
Parts published by Segger GmbH are under license of Segger&|Rowley, parts published by STM are under license of STM, parts programmed by me are provided under GNU GPL3 license.

Firmware "CForth-L476-cutoff.hex" for a Nucleo board with the ST-LINK module cut off.
The L476 on-chip USB and USART is supported for communication.
Else features almost the same as CForth-G4xx-48.
(09 April 2024 - bugfix)

Firmware "CForth-L476-ExternInv.hex" for a Nucleo board with ST-LINK module cut off but additional inverter for USART-TX.
This version is NOT useable with the actually published Nucleo support board, but may be used with other Nucleo support hardware, which is STM32F411 compatible.
Else the same firmware as "CForth-L476-cutoff.hex"
(09 April 2024 - bugfix)

Firmware "CForth-NucleoL476-orig.hex"
reduced version for an unmodified STM32 Nucleo L476 board.
Terminal communication exclusively via ST-Link USB.
(09 April 2024 - bugfix)

Source code "CForth-L476-v32.zip"
(state 09 April 2024) This source code is provided as complete "Segger Embedded Studio" project (ZIP file, 531 kB).
Parts published by Segger GmbH are under license of Segger&|Rowley, parts published by STM are under license of STM, parts programmed by me are provided under GNU GPL3 license.

These projects are programmed directly on register level, no external libraries (except "cmsis", startup code and Segger system code), no external drivers or HAL are used.

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