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STM32 Primer - The Intelligent Butterfly

By Ionela
Créé 04/05/2008 - 21:48

Blog arm microcontrolleurs senseur

Hands up those who do not like to play! I was mad about

the game Brain Training. But a few days ago I left my
favorite console in the drawer because something else
intrigued me. I am talking about STM32 Primer (the
game received at the Seminar Silverstar
NEWS2008-ST). Until the batteries have charged I was
very impatient and curious at the same time. It is an
easy-to-use game, thanks to the MEMS (micro
electro-mechanical systems). These devices have been
recognized as one of the most promising technologies in
the twenty-first century, able to revolutionize the industry
world and that of the products of mass consumption. The micro-electromechanicals are a set
of devices of various natures (mechanical, electrical and electronic) in a highly integrated
miniature on the same silicon substrate, which combine the electrical properties of
semiconductor integrated with opto-mechanical properties. So, they are "smart" systems that
combine electronic functions, management of fluids, optical, biological, chemical and
mechanical in a reduced space, integrating the technology of sensors and actuators and the
most diverse functions of process management.
I played some Maze which is a pre loaded game, but a friend of mine deleted it! Thanks to
him I discovered very interesting applications. But before we see the applications, let's try to
understand how this game is made.
Inside you will find a microcontroller (STM32F103) which is part of the STM32 family (a family
suitable for the portable applications). The 32bit Flash Microcontroller STM32 family is based
on ARM Cortex - M3 (a core specifically developed for embedded applications). Cortex – M3
offers the following advantages : improved performances, faster response to breaks,
innovative peripherals, excellent real-time behavior. The STM32 family brings new degrees of
freedom to MCU users. The STM32 Primer is based on STM32F103, named also
"performance line", that operates at 72 MHz, with more on-chip RAM and peripherals
onboard. It takes the 32-bit MCU world to new levels of performance and energy efficiency.
With its Cortex-M3 core at 72 MHz, it is able to perform high-end computation. Also, its
peripheral set brings superior control and connectivity.

The STM32 Primer (STM3210B-PRIMER) is a fun, innovative evaluation and development

tool package . It plugs directly into the host PC's USB port for in-circuit
debugging/programming, and comes with Raisonance's RIDE software toolset (Debug up to
32K of code) and the GNU C/C++ compiler. Based on MEMS-controls, STM32 Primer
navigates by tilting the tool left, right, backward or forward. Now that we have clarified some
things, let's see the applications of this cute and smart device.

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STM32 Primer - The Intelligent Butterfly http://dev.emcelettronica.com/print/51798

Going on the STM32Circle [1] site you'll find many applications (you can download them but
you have to be registered ), but one that struck me is ECG Primer 1.0 [2]. With this you can
play at doctor (after you have seen ER or Dr. House) because enables you to make the
electrocardiogram. On the sides of the game will be disposed two ECG electrodes that will
allow to pass the energy from one place to another and record the pulsations.
Of course, is only a demonstration project, well away from a real electro-medical one (read
forum) but enough to have a starting point.

I chose Breakout 1.1. [3]. After some errors (my computer did not recognize the drivers, the
cause - discharged batteries - eh yes, if the batteries absorb too much current when they are
recharging, sometimes the STM32 Primer is not recognized) I have managed to install it. In
the game, a layer of bricks lines the top third of the screen. A ball travels across the screen,
bouncing off the top and side walls of the screen. When a brick is hit, the ball bounces away
and the brick is destroyed. The player loses a turn when the ball touches the bottom of the
screen, ok, you know Arknoid...

You can also play chess or kaleidoscope through already made applications. If you want to
"invent" a game you are free to do so because STM32 Primer means "Releasing your
creativity!

Useful links:
http://www.st.com/mcu/inchtml.php?fdir=pages&fnam=stm32 [4]
http://www.st.com/mcu/contentid-105-110-STM3210B_PRIMER.html [5]
http://www.stm32circle.com/hom/index.php [1]

Trademarks

Source URL: http://dev.emcelettronica.com/stm32-primer-intelligent-butterfly

Links:
[1] http://www.stm32circle.com/hom/index.php

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[2] http://www.stm32circle.com/projects/project.php?id=31
[3] http://www.stm32circle.com/projects/project.php?id=6
[4] http://www.st.com/mcu/inchtml.php?fdir=pages&fnam=stm32
[5] http://www.st.com/mcu/contentid-105-110-STM3210B_PRIMER.html

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