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Associate III
September 29, 2024
Solved

Cannot communicate woth STM32 chip via simple USB cable on my Windows 10 PC

  • September 29, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 2059 views

Hello,

- I am new to the STM32 software suite
- I have a (professional) project to develop with fast analog acquisitions that also involves a dialogue with a computer via a simple USB cable.
- I am evaluating an Olimex model STM32-H107 board on which is mounted an STM32F107VCT6 chip
- I have installed the STM32CubeIDE software
- FreeRTOS has been activated and a test task has been automatically generated
- An empty program now compiles without errors and the files to be downloaded to the chip should now be on the computer.
- The chip on the board is connected to my computer via a simple USB cable
- --> The computer does not beep when connecting the USB cable (although STM32CubeIDE is installed)
- I tried the "Run-run" function on STM32CubeIDE to send the program to the chip but I get an error message "No ST-LINK detected! Please connect ST-LINK and restart debug session."
- I then installed the STM32CubeProgrammer software to try to program the chip. I tried on the right of the "Usb - Connect" buttons but without success either. I get the error "Error: Establishing connection with device failed"
- I then installed STM Link Utility, STSW-LINK004. I tried "Target - Connect" but I get the error: "No ST-LINK detected"

In short, I can't connect to my chip via USB, in any way.

Here are my questions
1) It is not clear anywhere on your site whether I need to acquire the special "ST-LINK" cable or not ? This, in order to program the chip through your software suite (Please NOTE : I don't need the debugger - I just need to program the chip)
2) Subsequently, I would need to communicate from my PC to the chip anyway and this, with a simple cable.
- Do I need to install special software on the chip to do this? or is the basic USB on-chip function sufficient?
- Are there ready-made PC-side drivers from you (or elsewhere) allowing me to communicate with your chips with an ordinary cable (without any special ST cable) for communicating with my future application.

I have exhausted everything, I can't find any clear information on this subject on the Internet. I can't find any Windows drivers there either to communicate with my card.

Thanks for your answers.
---

MDe / Belgium

    Best answer by AScha.3

    Sure, IDE always expects the debug connection. ST-link or J-link - but nothing is ... no debug possible.

    So what should it do ? Tell you : connect a debug probe to do debug ? :)

    You just can compile -> then load flash with CubeProgrammer -> dfu bootloader .

     

    +

    If you buy a 2 $  st-link V2 stick - first look at comments: real stm chip inside, working with stm IDE - or not.

    Then dont buy this - it will not work with IDE. Buy another...

    or good and safe: buy a st-link V3 , from mouser or so. Just 10 $ , for a miniE - and it works. ;)

    1 reply

    AScha.3
    Super User
    September 29, 2024

    Hi,

    1. STM32F107VC has USB dfu bootloader - so you can flash without st-link debug probe.

    2. set boot0 hi , to start bootloader (+ power-up/reset to start bootloader)

    3. forget STM Link Utility , its old , deprecated. Use CubeProgrammer (only).

    4. now you should "see" the new device on USB : check (in device manager - or whatever its called in Win )

     

    5. start connection in usb/dfu mode then ->

    AScha3_0-1727596551692.png

    + show, what Programmer telling then.

    "If you feel a post has answered your question, please click ""Accept as Solution""."
    MDeAuthor
    Associate III
    September 29, 2024

    Hello Ascha.3,

    Thanks for your quick reply.
    Thank you for telling me that an ST-Link debug probe is not necessary, that's what I thought.
    Thank you also for telling me that ST LINK Utility is useless.

    I just did what you said:
    - Set the BOOT0 signal of the STF32F107 component to High using the jumper on my board.
    - Reconnected this board to the USB of my PC. A LED is lighting meaning the board is powered up but I still don't hear any connection beep when I insert the USB cable into a USB slot on my PC (this slot is working with other devices)
    - Started STM32Programmer, chosed "USB" click on "Connect" but still nothing happens, I get the error message "Error: Establishing connection with device failed", screenshot attached.

    Can you help ?

    Regards,
    --
    MDe / Belgium

     

    AScha.3
    Super User
    September 29, 2024

    >Can you help ?

    no. :)

    Just - your PC has to "see" the new USB device - otherwise nothing will happen.

    So try other plug, cable - until you see it (in device manager ) or get ding-dong...

    + set jumpers boot0 hi , boot1 lo.

    +

    is you clock /crystal on board:

    AScha3_0-1727603796953.png

    check it.

    + read AN2606 ...

    AScha3_1-1727603923865.png

     

    "If you feel a post has answered your question, please click ""Accept as Solution""."