Intermediate
30 min

Add DRAM memory to your design with APS6404L-3SQR and STM32F091RC

Put your memory to good use!

DRAM Click with Nucleo-64 with STM32F091RC MCU

Published Feb 26, 2024

Click board™

DRAM Click

Dev Board

Nucleo-64 with STM32F091RC MCU

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32F091RC

Secure your information with a quality DRAM memory

A

A

Hardware Overview

How does it work?

DRAM Click is based on the APS6404L-3SQR, a 64Mb PSRAM (Pseudo-SRAM) memory with an SPI/QPI interface from AP Memory. Organized as 8M x 8 bits each, this high-speed, high-performance memory has a page size of 1024 bytes. It also incorporates a seamless, self-managed refresh mechanism specially designed to maximize the performance of the memory read operation (it does not require the support of DRAM refresh from the system host). It is most suitable for low-power and low-cost portable applications.

The APS6404L-3SQR communicates with the MCU using an SPI serial interface that also supports Quad SPI and the two most common modes, SPI Mode 0 (QSPI Mode 1), with a maximum SPI frequency of 133MHz. The APS6404L-3SQR includes an on-chip voltage sensor used to start the self-initialization process. When the main power supply voltage reaches a stable level at or above the minimum supply voltage level, the device will require 150μs and user-issued RESET Operation to complete its self-initialization

process. The device powers up in SPI mode by default but can also switch to QPI mode. The CS pin must be set to high logic level before initiating any operations. This Click board™ can only be operated with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

DRAM Click top side image
DRAM Click lateral side image
DRAM Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

Nucleo-64 with STM32F091RC MCU offers a cost-effective and adaptable platform for developers to explore new ideas and prototype their designs. This board harnesses the versatility of the STM32 microcontroller, enabling users to select the optimal balance of performance and power consumption for their projects. It accommodates the STM32 microcontroller in the LQFP64 package and includes essential components such as a user LED, which doubles as an ARDUINO® signal, alongside user and reset push-buttons, and a 32.768kHz crystal oscillator for precise timing operations. Designed with expansion and flexibility in mind, the Nucleo-64 board features an ARDUINO® Uno V3 expansion connector and ST morpho extension pin

headers, granting complete access to the STM32's I/Os for comprehensive project integration. Power supply options are adaptable, supporting ST-LINK USB VBUS or external power sources, ensuring adaptability in various development environments. The board also has an on-board ST-LINK debugger/programmer with USB re-enumeration capability, simplifying the programming and debugging process. Moreover, the board is designed to simplify advanced development with its external SMPS for efficient Vcore logic supply, support for USB Device full speed or USB SNK/UFP full speed, and built-in cryptographic features, enhancing both the power efficiency and security of projects. Additional connectivity is

provided through dedicated connectors for external SMPS experimentation, a USB connector for the ST-LINK, and a MIPI® debug connector, expanding the possibilities for hardware interfacing and experimentation. Developers will find extensive support through comprehensive free software libraries and examples, courtesy of the STM32Cube MCU Package. This, combined with compatibility with a wide array of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), including IAR Embedded Workbench®, MDK-ARM, and STM32CubeIDE, ensures a smooth and efficient development experience, allowing users to fully leverage the capabilities of the Nucleo-64 board in their projects.

Nucleo 64 with STM32F091RC MCU double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

ARM Cortex-M0

MCU Memory (KB)

256

Silicon Vendor

STMicroelectronics

Pin count

64

RAM (Bytes)

32768

You complete me!

Accessories

Click Shield for Nucleo-64 comes equipped with two proprietary mikroBUS™ sockets, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the STM32 Nucleo-64 board with no effort. This way, Mikroe allows its users to add any functionality from our ever-growing range of Click boards™, such as WiFi, GSM, GPS, Bluetooth, ZigBee, environmental sensors, LEDs, speech recognition, motor control, movement sensors, and many more. More than 1537 Click boards™, which can be stacked and integrated, are at your disposal. The STM32 Nucleo-64 boards are based on the microcontrollers in 64-pin packages, a 32-bit MCU with an ARM Cortex M4 processor operating at 84MHz, 512Kb Flash, and 96KB SRAM, divided into two regions where the top section represents the ST-Link/V2 debugger and programmer while the bottom section of the board is an actual development board. These boards are controlled and powered conveniently through a USB connection to program and efficiently debug the Nucleo-64 board out of the box, with an additional USB cable connected to the USB mini port on the board. Most of the STM32 microcontroller pins are brought to the IO pins on the left and right edge of the board, which are then connected to two existing mikroBUS™ sockets. This Click Shield also has several switches that perform functions such as selecting the logic levels of analog signals on mikroBUS™ sockets and selecting logic voltage levels of the mikroBUS™ sockets themselves. Besides, the user is offered the possibility of using any Click board™ with the help of existing bidirectional level-shifting voltage translators, regardless of whether the Click board™ operates at a 3.3V or 5V logic voltage level. Once you connect the STM32 Nucleo-64 board with our Click Shield for Nucleo-64, you can access hundreds of Click boards™, working with 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels.

Click Shield for Nucleo-64 accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
QSPI IO3
PC12
RST
SPI Chip Select
PB12
CS
SPI Clock
PB3
SCK
SPI Data OUT / QSPI IO1
PB4
MISO
SPI Data IN / QSPI IO0
PB5
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
QSPI IO2
PC8
PWM
NC
NC
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Schematic

DRAM Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Click Shield for Nucleo-64 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Nucleo-64 with STM32F091RC MCU as your development board.

Click Shield for Nucleo-64 front image hardware assembly
Nucleo 64 with STM32F401RE MCU front image hardware assembly
EEPROM 13 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Nucleo-64 with STM32XXX MCU MB 1 Mini B Conn - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Clicker 4 for STM32F4 HA MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output via Debug Mode

1. Once the code example is loaded, pressing the "DEBUG" button initiates the build process, programs it on the created setup, and enters Debug mode.

2. After the programming is completed, a header with buttons for various actions within the IDE becomes visible. Clicking the green "PLAY" button starts reading the results achieved with the Click board™. The achieved results are displayed in the Application Output tab.

DEBUG_Application_Output

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for DRAM Click driver.

Key functions:

  • dram_memory_write This function writes a desired number of data bytes starting from the selected memory address.

  • dram_memory_read This function reads a desired number of data bytes starting from the selected memory address.

  • dram_memory_read_fast This function reads a desired number of data bytes starting from the selected memory address performing a fast read feature.

Open Source

Code example

This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief DRAM Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of DRAM click board by writing specified data to
 * the memory and reading it back.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver, resets the device and checks the communication by reading
 * and verifying the device ID.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Writes a desired number of bytes to the memory and then verifies if it is written correctly
 * by reading from the same memory location and displaying the memory content on the USB UART.
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "dram.h"

#define DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE_1     "MikroE"
#define DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE_2     "DRAM click"
#define STARTING_ADDRESS        0x012345ul

static dram_t dram;
static log_t logger;

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    dram_cfg_t dram_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.
    dram_cfg_setup( &dram_cfg );
    DRAM_MAP_MIKROBUS( dram_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( SPI_MASTER_ERROR == dram_init( &dram, &dram_cfg ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    if ( DRAM_ERROR == dram_reset ( &dram ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Reset device." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    Delay_ms ( 100 );
    
    if ( DRAM_ERROR == dram_check_communication ( &dram ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Check communication." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    uint8_t data_buf[ 128 ] = { 0 };
    log_printf ( &logger, " Memory address: 0x%.6LX\r\n", ( uint32_t ) STARTING_ADDRESS );
    memcpy ( data_buf, DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE_1, strlen ( DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE_1 ) );
    if ( DRAM_OK == dram_memory_write ( &dram, STARTING_ADDRESS, data_buf, sizeof ( data_buf ) ) )
    {
        log_printf ( &logger, " Write data: %s\r\n", data_buf );
        Delay_ms ( 100 );
    }
    memset ( data_buf, 0, sizeof ( data_buf ) );
    if ( DRAM_OK == dram_memory_read ( &dram, STARTING_ADDRESS, 
                                             data_buf, sizeof ( data_buf ) ) )
    {
        log_printf ( &logger, " Read data: %s\r\n\n", data_buf );
        Delay_ms ( 3000 );
    }
    log_printf ( &logger, " Memory address: 0x%.6LX\r\n", ( uint32_t ) STARTING_ADDRESS );
    memcpy ( data_buf, DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE_2, strlen ( DEMO_TEXT_MESSAGE_2 ) );
    if ( DRAM_OK == dram_memory_write ( &dram, STARTING_ADDRESS, data_buf, sizeof ( data_buf ) ) )
    {
        log_printf ( &logger, " Write data: %s\r\n", data_buf );
        Delay_ms ( 100 );
    }
    memset ( data_buf, 0, sizeof ( data_buf ) );
    if ( DRAM_OK == dram_memory_read_fast ( &dram, STARTING_ADDRESS, data_buf, sizeof ( data_buf ) ) )
    {
        log_printf ( &logger, " Fast read data : %s\r\n\n", data_buf );
        Delay_ms ( 3000 );
    }
}

void main ( void )
{
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; )
    {
        application_task( );
    }
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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