Intermediate
30 min

Set the standard for weight accuracy using NAU7802 and STM32F091RC

Weighing made smarter

Load Cell 2 Click with Nucleo-64 with STM32F091RC MCU

Published Feb 26, 2024

Click board™

Load Cell 2 Click

Dev. board

Nucleo-64 with STM32F091RC MCU

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32F091RC

Unlock data-driven decisions with precise weight measurements in diverse settings

A

A

Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Load Cell 2 Click is based on the NAU7802, a precision low-power 24-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) from Nuvoton, with an onboard low-noise programmable gain amplifier (PGA), onboard RC or Crystal oscillator, and a precision 24-bit sigma-delta (Σ-Δ) analog to digital converter (ADC). The NAU7802 device can perform up to 23-bit ENOB (Effective Number Of Bits). This device provides a complete front-end solution for bridge/sensor measurement, such as in weigh scales, strain gauges, and many other high-resolution, low-sample rate applications. The NAU7802 has many built-in features, which enable high-performance applications with low external

parts count. Additionally, operating current and standby current are low, and many power management features are included. These enable powering only those elements of the chip that are needed and operate at greatly reduced power if the full 23-bit ENOB performance is not required. The Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) provides selectable gains from 1 to 128. The A/D conversion is performed with a Sigma-Delta modulator and programmable FIR filter, which provides a simultaneous 50Hz and 60Hz notch filter to improve interference immunity. Also, this device provides a standard 2-wire interface compatible with I2C protocol for simple and straightforward

connection to and interoperation with a wide range of possible host processors. Calibration is not required for low-accuracy applications but may be needed in sensitive applications. When calibration is used, the system designer has three options (details in NAU7802 datasheet). This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Also, it comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

Load Cell 2 Click top side image
Load Cell 2 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
NC
NC
RST
NC
NC
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
NC
NC
PWM
Data Ready
PC14
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PB8
SCL
I2C Data
PB9
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Load Cell 2 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 STM32F091RC 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
Board mapper by product8 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 Load Cell 2 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • loadcell2_get_weight - Get weight function

  • loadcell2_get_result - Get results function

  • loadcell2_calibration - Calibration function

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 LoadCell2 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * Load Cell 2 Click is a weight measurement Click 
 * which utilizes a load cell element, 
 * in order to precisely measure the weight of an object. 
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes I2C driver and performs the device reset, 
 * and performs the device reset, set power on and default configuration.
 * Sets tare the scale, calibrate scale and start measurements.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * This is an example which demonstrates the 
 * use of Load Cell 2 Click board. 
 * Display the measurement of scales in grams [g].
 * Results are being sent to the Usart Terminal 
 * where you can track their changes.
 * All data logs write on USB uart changes for every 1 sec.
 * 
 * \author Nenad Filipovic
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "loadcell2.h"

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

static loadcell2_t loadcell2;
static log_t logger;

static loadcell2_data_t cell_data;
static float weight_val;

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

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    loadcell2_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.

    loadcell2_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    LOADCELL2_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    loadcell2_init( &loadcell2, &cfg );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "     Load cell Click     \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    Delay_ms ( 100 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "   Reset all registers   \r\n");
    loadcell2_reset( &loadcell2 );
    Delay_ms ( 100 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "        Power On         \r\n");
    loadcell2_power_on( &loadcell2 );
    Delay_ms ( 100 );

    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "   Set default config.   \r\n");
    loadcell2_default_cfg( &loadcell2 );
    Delay_ms ( 100 );

    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "      Calibrate AFE      \r\n");
    loadcell2_calibrate_afe( &loadcell2 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "     Tare the scale :    \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "- - - - - - - - - - - - -\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, " >> Remove all object << \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "- - - - - - - - - - - - -\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, " In the following 10 sec \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, " please remove all object\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "     from the scale.     \r\n");
    // 10 seconds delay
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "    Start tare scales    \r\n");
    loadcell2_tare ( &loadcell2, &cell_data );
    Delay_ms ( 500 );

    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "   Tarring is complete   \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "    Calibrate Scale :    \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "- - - - - - - - - - - - -\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "   >>> Load etalon <<<   \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "- - - - - - - - - - - - -\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, " In the following 10 sec \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "place 1000g weight etalon\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "    on the scale for     \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "   calibration purpose.  \r\n");
    // 10 seconds delay
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "    Start calibration    \r\n");

    if ( loadcell2_calibration ( &loadcell2, LOADCELL2_WEIGHT_1000G, &cell_data ) == LOADCELL2_GET_RESULT_OK )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, "    Calibration  Done    \r\n");

        log_printf( &logger, "- - - - - - - - - - - - -\r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, "  >>> Remove etalon <<<  \r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, "- - - - - - - - - - - - -\r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, " In the following 10 sec \r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, "   remove 1000g weight   \r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, "   etalon on the scale.  \r\n");
        // 10 seconds delay
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
        Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, "   Calibration  Error   \r\n");
        for ( ; ; );
    }

    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "   Start measurements :  \r\n");
    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------\r\n");
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    weight_val = loadcell2_get_weight( &loadcell2, &cell_data );

    log_printf(&logger, "   Weight : %.2f g\r\n", weight_val );

    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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