Intermediate
20 min

Say goodbye to complex motor control with DRV8889A and STM32F091RC

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Stepper 15 Click with Nucleo-64 with STM32F091RC MCU

Published Feb 26, 2024

Click board™

Stepper 15 Click

Dev. board

Nucleo-64 with STM32F091RC MCU

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32F091RC

Our integrated motor-driver solution for bipolar stepper motors offers the perfect blend of precision and efficiency, ensuring your projects perform flawlessly

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Stepper 15 Click is based on the DRV8889A, an integrated motor-driver solution for bipolar stepper motors from Texas Instruments. The DRV8889A integrates two N-channel power MOSFET H-bridges (disabled by default after Power-Up), integrated current sense and regulation circuitry, and a microstepping indexer. It can be powered with a supply voltage from 4.5 to 45V, providing an output current of up to 2.4A peak, 1.5A full-scale, or 1.1A RMS. The DRV8889A uses an integrated current-sense architecture, eliminating the need for two external power-sense resistors. This architecture removes the power dissipated in the sense of resistors using a current mirror approach and the internal power MOSFETs for current sensing. It also includes an integrated torque DAC that allows the controller to scale the output current through a full-duplex, 4-wire

synchronous SPI interface without needing to scale the voltage reference. The torque DAC allows the controller to save system power by decreasing the motor current consumption when high output torque is not required. A simple STEP/DIR interface allows an external MCU to manage the direction and step rate of the stepper motor. The internal indexer can execute high-accuracy microstepping without requiring the MCU to handle the winding current level. The indexer is capable of the whole step, half step, and 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128, and 1/256 microstepping. Also, a noncircular half-stepping mode is available for increased torque output at higher motor RPM and a standard half-stepping mode. Unlike the STEP pin controlled by the PWM pin from the mikroBUS™ socket, other pins from the DRV8889A, such as Sleep mode selection, fault indicator, direction selection, and

device turn-off pins are controlled through a well-known 8bit I/O expander, the PCA9538 from NXP Semiconductor using the standard I2C 2-Wire interface with a maximum frequency of 400kHz. The PCA9538 also uses RST and INT pins from the mikroBUS™ socket as a hardware reset and interrupt function. This Click board™ can operate with both 3.3V and 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. It allows both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs to use the communication lines properly. Additionally, there is a possibility for stepper motor driver power supply selection via jumper labeled as VM SEL to supply the DRV8889A from an external input terminal in the range from 4.5 to 45V or with a 5V from mikroBUS™ power rail.

Stepper 15 Click hardware overview 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

The 28BYJ-48 is an adaptable 5VDC stepper motor with a compact design, ideal for various applications. It features four phases, a speed variation ratio of 1/64, and a stride angle of 5.625°/64 steps, allowing precise control. The motor operates at a frequency of 100Hz and has a DC resistance of 50Ω ±7% at 25°C. It boasts an idle in-traction frequency greater than 600Hz and an idle out-traction frequency exceeding 1000Hz, ensuring reliability in different scenarios. With a self-positioning torque and in-traction torque both exceeding 34.3mN.m at 120Hz, the 28BYJ-48 offers robust performance. Its friction torque ranges from 600 to 1200 gf.cm, while the pull-in torque is 300 gf.cm. This motor makes a reliable and efficient choice for your stepper motor needs.

Stepper 15 Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Reset
PC12
RST
SPI Chip Select
PB12
CS
SPI Clock
PB3
SCK
SPI Data OUT
PB4
MISO
SPI Data IN
PB5
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Step Rate
PC8
PWM
Interrupt
PC14
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PB8
SCL
I2C Data
PB9
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Stepper 15 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
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 Stepper 15 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • stepper15_make_one_step - Stepper 15 make one step function.

  • stepper15_set_direction - Stepper 15 set direction function.

  • stepper15_step_by_angle - Stepper 15 step by angle 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 main.c
 * @brief Stepper15 Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This library contains API for the Stepper 15 Click driver.
 * The library contains drivers for work control of the Stepper Motor.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes I2C and SPI driver and set default configuration,
 * enable the device and enable outputs mode.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * The application task represents an example that demonstrates 
 * the use of the Stepper 15 Click board™ 
 * with which the user can sequentially move the motor. 
 * The first part of the sequence executes the clockwise/counterclockwise motor movement
 * for an angle of 90-degrees with a step speed of 85/100%, 
 * all the way to the last sequence of the same movement routine of 360-degree angle
 * with a step speed of 85/100%. 
 * Results are sent to the USART Terminal, where you can track their changes.
 *
 * @author Nenad Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "stepper15.h"

static stepper15_t stepper15;
static log_t logger;
static uint8_t step_speed = 100;
static uint16_t step_360 = 200;

void application_init ( void ) {
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;              /**< Logger config object. */
    stepper15_cfg_t stepper15_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.

    stepper15_cfg_setup( &stepper15_cfg );
    STEPPER15_MAP_MIKROBUS( stepper15_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    err_t init_flag  = stepper15_init( &stepper15, &stepper15_cfg );
    if ( ( init_flag == I2C_MASTER_ERROR ) || ( init_flag == SPI_MASTER_ERROR ) ) {
        log_error( &logger, " Application Init Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }

    stepper15_default_cfg ( &stepper15 );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    log_printf( &logger, "---------------------------------\r\n" );
    
    stepper15_set_work_mode( &stepper15, STEPPER15_WORK_MODE_ENABLE_DEVICE );
    Delay_ms( 100 );
    stepper15_set_output_mode( &stepper15, STEPPER15_OUTPUT_MODE_OUTPUTS_ENABLE );
    Delay_ms( 100 );
    
    if ( stepper15_get_fault_condition( &stepper15 ) == STEPPER15_FAULT_CONDITION ) {
        log_printf( &logger, "         Fault condition         \r\n" );   
    } else {
        log_printf( &logger, "        Correct condition        \r\n" );
    }
    
    log_printf( &logger, "---------------------------------\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "      Stop the stepper motor     \r\n" );
    stepper15_motor_stop( &stepper15 );
    Delay_ms( 1000 );
}

void application_task ( void ) {
    log_printf( &logger, "---------------------------------\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "        Clockwise motion         \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation :  90 degrees \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        :  85 %%      \r\n" );
    stepper15_set_direction ( &stepper15, STEPPER15_DIRECTION_CLOCKWISE );
    stepper15_step_by_angle( &stepper15, step_speed - 15, 90, step_360 );
    Delay_ms( 2000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "---------------------------------\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "     Counterclockwise motion     \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation : 180 degrees \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        :  85 %%      \r\n" );
    stepper15_set_direction ( &stepper15, STEPPER15_DIRECTION_COUNTERCLOCKWISE );
    stepper15_step_by_angle( &stepper15, step_speed - 15, 180, step_360 );
    Delay_ms( 2000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "---------------------------------\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "        Clockwise motion         \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation : 270 degrees \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        :  90 %%      \r\n" );
    stepper15_set_direction ( &stepper15, STEPPER15_DIRECTION_CLOCKWISE );
    stepper15_step_by_angle( &stepper15, step_speed - 10, 270, step_360 );
    Delay_ms( 2000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "---------------------------------\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "     Counterclockwise motion     \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation : 360 degrees \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        : 100 %%      \r\n" );
    stepper15_set_direction ( &stepper15, STEPPER15_DIRECTION_COUNTERCLOCKWISE );
    stepper15_step_by_angle( &stepper15, step_speed, 360, step_360 );
    Delay_ms( 2000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "---------------------------------\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "        Clockwise motion         \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation : 360 degrees \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        : 100 %%      \r\n" );
    stepper15_set_direction ( &stepper15, STEPPER15_DIRECTION_CLOCKWISE );
    stepper15_step_by_angle( &stepper15, step_speed, 360, step_360 );
    Delay_ms( 2000 );
}

void main ( void ) {
    application_init( );

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

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

Additional Support

Resources

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