STM32F446_CMake with Qt Creator

This repository is created to experiment with CMake and STM32F4 microcontroller. This project describes the steps needed to integrate a microcontroller project with Qt Creator.

If Qt Creator is your favourite IDE for editing the code, why not use it for debugging!

STM32Cube Package is used for generating the HAL and CMSIS libraries: https://www.st.com/en/embedded-software/stm32cube-mcu-mpu-packages.html

Build instruction - Command line

create a build directory from the root of this repository and execite the build commmands.

Makefile build - Command line

Generate makefile using: cmake ..

Compile and generate ELF, HEX, and BIN using: make

Ninja build - Command line

Generate ninja build using: cmake -GNinja .. Compile and generate binaries using: ninja

Using Qt Creator to Build and Debug the project.

Step 1:

This project uses CMakeLists, therefore the project can be directly imported into Qt Creator using File -> New FIle or Project -> Git Clone.

Step 2: Clone this repository and select the QtCompatible branch.

Step 3: Select the OpenOCD Run and Debugging Kit and click Configure Project.

The configuration for OpenOCD is described in later steps.

Step 4: The project automatically loads (if CMake is set to Run automatically on changes).

There can be errors due to the toolchain path. In that case, set the toolchain path in the top level CMakeLists.txt manually.

Step 5: Press Ctrl-B to build the project.

If the build is successful, the binary size is displayed under Compile Output view.

Step 6: Press Ctrl-R to flash the binary and debug it.

If no breakpoints are set, you should see the main board LED blinking on the NUCLEO-F446RE board.

OpenOCD Kit Configuration

Step 0: Add Bare-Metal plugin

If the bare-metal plugin was not installed, then it needs to be installed first. Go to Help -> About Plugins -> Device Support. Check and install BareMetal plugin. Requires restart of Qt Creator to get it working.

Step 1: Add OpenOCD config.

Click on Add button and make necessary configurations for your device. In this project ST-LINK V2-1 is used with STM32F4x Microcontroller. The OpenOCD configuration is openocd -f /usr/share/openocd/scripts/interface/stlink-v2-1.cfg -f /usr/share/openocd/scripts/target/stm32f4x.cfg.

The additional arguments field contains: -f /usr/share/openocd/scripts/target/stm32f4x.cfg

Step 2: Add OpenOCD configuration to the BareMetal list.

Step 3: Configure the Debugger

Configure GDB Extended

Step 4: Add ARM GCC and G++ compiler to the manual configurations.

Step 5: Add ARM-GDB Python compiler to the manual configuration.

Step 6: Finally add the OpenOCD Kit and make necessary changes.