If you don’t have an ST-LINK V3 probe for programming the Generic Node Sensor Edition (GNSE), you can program it through a USB-to-UART TTL converter (sometimes referred to as a serial converter). They are commonly available as breakout boards, such as the SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout - 3.3V, for example.
Note:
Make sure to use a USB-to-UART converter board configured to 3.3V for both power output and I/O levels. If you have a 5V FTDI breakout board, check if it has a jumper that allows you to switch it to 3.3V.Install drivers on your computer if they are not already installed. Follow the tutorials on the SparkFun website to learn how to install them on Windows, Mac or Linux.
Connect GNSE with the FTDI breakout using jumper wires as shown below:
Please refer to the table below for clarity:
| GNSE | FTDI |
|---|---|
| TXD | RXI |
| RXD | TXO |
| VCC | 3V3 |
| GND | GND |
Connect FTDI to the computer using miniUSB cable.
Now, you need to flash the .bin file of your project onto the GNSE using STM32CubeProgrammer. This file can be generated during the build process with the STM32CubeIDE. To configure the generation of a .bin file, right-click on the Project and select Properties from the shortcut menu.
In the Properties window, expand C/C++ Build and then select Settings. In the Tool Settings tab, select MCU Post build outputs and then choose Convert to binary file (-O binary). Then, click on the Apply and Close button.
Now, you can build the project by right-clicking on it and selecting Build Project from the shortcut menu. Once the build is complete, the .bin file can be found in the Debug folder.
Short the BOOT0 pins on the GNSE board using a shunt/jumper. This allows programming GNSE through UART1 with the internal system bootloader of the STM32 MCU.
Press and release the RESET button while shorting the BOOT0.
GNSE will switch to the bootloader mode. Now unshort BOOT0 by removing the shunt/jumper since it’s only being read at the startup.
Start STM32CubeProgrammar.
Select UART from the dropdown menu, and then choose the COM port associated with your GNSE.
Click on the Connect button.
After connecting, the button text will change to Disconnect. Also, the data in the device memory will display in the Device memory tab.
Click on the + tab and select Open file from the menu.
Browse and select the .bin file, basic.bin for example.
Click on the Download button.
It will take some time to download/flash the file onto the GNSE.
Once completed click on the OK button.
Click on the Disconnect button.
Now you can remove the USB-to-UART converter from your GNSE.