Intermediate
30 min

Open the door to immersive hands-free interfaces that respond to your presence using RPR-0521RS and STM32F103RB

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Proximity 11 Click with Nucleo 64 with STM32F103RB MCU

Published Oct 08, 2024

Click board™

Proximity 11 Click

Dev Board

Nucleo 64 with STM32F103RB MCU

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32F103RB

Proximity detection is no longer science fiction; it's a reality that's here to redefine how we connect with the world

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Proximity 11 Click is based on the RPR-0521RS, a digital ambient and proximity sensor from ROHM Semiconductor. It is an accurate and reliable proximity and ambient light sensor, aimed towards the power saving in applications that use TFT or LCD panels. By offering a huge dynamic range, the RPR-0521RS sensor allows to be placed behind a dark glass or a semi-transparent screen bezel, but also to be exposed to a bright sunlight. A proprietary design of the integrated constant-current LED driver enables plug and play proximity detection from 1, up to 100mm, eliminating the need for a calibration procedure. By integrating micro-optics elements within the casing, RPR-0521RS greatly simplifies the application design. Proximity of an object is detected using an IR LED, which emits pulses of light towards the object. The amount of the reflected IR light is measured by an integrated IR photodiode. During LED pulse duration time, the amount of the reflected IR light is measured and

integrated. The background IR light is also measured and integrated, during LED OFF state. It is then subtracted from the final result, allowing for an accurate measurement with the reduced amount of the background IR noise. After it has been scaled to a 16-bit value, the final result is available on the output registers, in the LOW/HIGH byte format. Commonly, photosensitive elements are most sensitive to IR light. A human eye does cannot detect IR light. Therefore, the PD element has to filter out IR light so that only the visible part of the light is allowed through. The channel0 is equipped with such PD, making it usable for the ALS sensing. During the ALS measurement, both channels are measured. The datasheet of the RPR-0521RS offers a conversion formula that can be used to obtain results in physical units (lx). These formulas also take the IR measurement from the channel 1 into the consideration, completely reducing its influence on the final result. By adjusting the integration time (also known

as oversampling), the flickering effect of a fluorescent light can be completely eliminated. The extensive interrupt engine allows an optimized firmware to be written. Four registers are used to specify the low and the high threshold for the ALS and proximity measurements. Whenever these thresholds are exceeded, an interrupt status bit will be set in the respective register. The user has the ability to assign an external pin to an interrupt, so the MCU can be alerted whenever an interrupt event occurs. The interrupt is generated whenever the threshold value is exceeded for a programmed number of times (interrupt persistence). This is useful to prevent false and erratic interrupt reporting. The Click board™ is designed to work with 3.3V only. When using it with MCUs that use 5V levels for their communication, a proper level translation circuit should be used.

Proximity 11 Click top side image
Proximity 11 Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

Nucleo-64 with STM32F103RB 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 STM32F103RB MCU double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

ARM Cortex-M3

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

STMicroelectronics

Pin count

64

RAM (Bytes)

20480

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
Interrupt
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

Schematic

Proximity 11 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 STM32F103RB 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 Proximity 11 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • proximity11_get - This function reads proximity values from the desired registers.

  • proximity11_update - This function updates data used to calculate Lux. This function should be called if changing als measurement time and als gain.

  • proximity11_set_als_threshold_high - This function sets High ALS threshold value.

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 
 * \brief Proximity11 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This appication enables usage of the proximity and ambient light sensors
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes I2C driver and performs device initialization
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Gets ALS and PS values and logs those values
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "proximity11.h"

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

static proximity11_t proximity11;
static log_t logger;

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

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    proximity11_cfg_t cfg;
    uint8_t init_status;

    /** 
     * 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.

    proximity11_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    PROXIMITY11_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    proximity11_init( &proximity11, &cfg );

    Delay_ms( 500 );

    init_status = proximity11_default_cfg( &proximity11 );

    if ( init_status == 1 )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "> app init fail\r\n" );
		while( 1 );
    }
    else if ( init_status == 0 )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "> app init done\r\n" );
    }
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    //  Task implementation

    uint16_t ps_value;
    float als_value;

    proximity11_get_ps_als_values( &proximity11, &ps_value, &als_value );

    log_printf( &logger, "PS  : %u [count]\r\n", ps_value );
    log_printf( &logger, "ALS : %.2f [Lx]\r\n\r\n", als_value );

    Delay_ms( 500 );

}

void main ( void )
{
    application_init( );

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


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

Additional Support

Resources

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