Intermediate
30 min

Achieve exceptional results with DRV887N and STM32G071RB

Mastering the art of brushed motor control

H-Bridge 7 Click with Nucleo 64 with STM32G071RB MCU

Published Oct 08, 2024

Click board™

H-Bridge 7 Click

Dev. board

Nucleo 64 with STM32G071RB MCU

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32G071RB

Experience the seamless integration of brushed motor control and save your battery life by using this solution that supports a wide range of output load currents for various motors and loads

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

H-Bridge 7 Click is based on the DRV8876N, N-channel H-bridge motor driver from Texas Instruments that operates from a supply voltage of 4.5V to 37V, supporting a wide range of output load currents for various types of motors and loads. This device integrates an H-bridge output power stage that can be operated in control modes set by the PMODE pin setting. The device also integrates a charge pump regulator to support more efficient high-side N-channel MOSFETs and 100% duty cycle operation. The device operates from a single power supply input (VM) which can be directly connected to a battery or DC voltage supply. The nSLEEP pin (nSL pin on the mikroBUS™) provides an ultra-low power mode to minimize current draw during system inactivity.

Also, this device is fully protected against supply undervoltage, charge pump undervoltage, output overcurrent, and device overtemperature events. H-Bridge 7 Click supports different control schemes with the EN/IN1 and PH/IN2 pins. The control mode is selected through the PMODE pin with either logic low, logic high, or setting the pin Hi-Z (in this case, PMODE is on the logic low level, which means that the device is latched into PH/EN mode). PH/EN mode allows for the H-bridge to be controlled with a speed and direction type of interface. In this configuration, Click board™ drives a bidirectional current through an external load (such as a brushed DC motor), and the H-bridge polarity and duty cycle are controlled with a PWM and IO resource from the external controller

to the EN/IN1 and PH/IN2 pins. The device is then configured for the PH/EN control mode by tying the PMODE pin to GND. Some applications of DRV8876N include brushed DC motors, solenoids, and actuators, but they also can be utilized to drive many common passive loads such as LEDs, resistive elements, relays, and more. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

H-Bridge 7 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

Nucleo-64 with STM32G071RB 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 STM32G071RB MCU double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

ARM Cortex-M0

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

STMicroelectronics

Pin count

64

RAM (Bytes)

36864

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

DC Gear Motor - 430RPM (3-6V) represents an all-in-one combination of a motor and gearbox, where the addition of gear leads to a reduction of motor speed while increasing the torque output. This gear motor has a spur gearbox, making it a highly reliable solution for applications with lower torque and speed requirements. The most critical parameters for gear motors are speed, torque, and efficiency, which are, in this case, 520RPM with no load and 430RPM at maximum efficiency, alongside a current of 60mA and a torque of 50g.cm. Rated for a 3-6V operational voltage range and clockwise/counterclockwise rotation direction, this motor represents an excellent solution for many functions initially performed by brushed DC motors in robotics, medical equipment, electric door locks, and much more.

H-Bridge 7 Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
H-Bridge Control 1
PC12
RST
Sleep Mode
PB12
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
H-Bridge Control 2
PC8
PWM
Fault Indicator
PC14
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

H-Bridge 7 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Click Shield for Nucleo-64 accessories 1 image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Nucleo 64 with STM32G071RB MCU as your development board.

Click Shield for Nucleo-64 accessories 1 image hardware assembly
Nucleo 64 with STM32F401RE MCU front image hardware assembly
LTE IoT 5 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
LTE IoT 5 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Nucleo-64 with STM32XXX MCU Access 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

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for H-Bridge 7 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • void hbridge7_motor_state ( uint8_t state ) Set motor state

  • void hbridge7_motor_control ( uint8_t ctrl ) Set motor control

  • uint8_t hbridge7_get_fault_state ( void ) Get Fault pin state

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * \file 
 * \brief H-BRIDGE 7 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of H-Bridge 7 Click board. 
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes the driver and makes an initial log.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Drives the motor in the forward direction for 5 seconds, then pulls brake for 2 seconds, 
 * and after that drives it in the reverse direction for 5 seconds, and finally, 
 * disconnects the motor for 2 seconds. Each step will be logged on the USB UART where
 * you can track the program flow.
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "hbridge7.h"

// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES

static hbridge7_t hbridge7;
static log_t logger;

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    hbridge7_cfg_t cfg;

    /** 
     * 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.

    hbridge7_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    HBRIDGE7_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    hbridge7_init( &hbridge7, &cfg );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    log_printf( &logger, "The motor turns forward! \r\n" );
    hbridge7_motor_control( &hbridge7, HBRIDGE7_MOTOR_FORWARD );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "Pull brake! \r\n" );
    hbridge7_motor_control( &hbridge7, HBRIDGE7_MOTOR_BRAKE );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, "The motor turns in reverse! \r\n" );
    hbridge7_motor_control( &hbridge7, HBRIDGE7_MOTOR_REVERSE );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, "The motor is disconnected (High-Z)!  \r\n" );
    hbridge7_motor_control( &hbridge7, HBRIDGE7_MOTOR_SLEEP );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

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

Additional Support

Resources

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