Intermediate
20 min

Break free from geographical boundaries with UG95 and STM32F031K6

From the heart of Europe to the landscapes of Australia

3G-EA Click (for EU and Australia) with Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU

Published Oct 01, 2024

Click board™

3G-EA Click (for EU and Australia)

Dev. board

Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32F031K6

Experience the power of global communication through our dual-band cellular solution, qualified for European and Australian UMTS frequency bands. From Europe to Australia, we keep you connected no matter where your journey takes you.

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

3G-EA Click is based on the UG95-E, an ultra-small UMTS/HSPA module with high-speed wireless connectivity from Quectel. This module is the main component of the Click board™, consisting of several internal blocks or sections, such as an antenna switching section, RF transceiver section, memory, power management, and most importantly - the cellular baseband processor. This section contains the logic necessary for managing the other sections and provides the interface to the host MCU. The Micro SIM card holder on the back of the click board™ is used to install a microSIM card. This device cannot be used without a valid SIM card, which allows connection to the cellular network. Both 1.8V and 3V SIM card types are supported. The Quectel UG95 offers the PCM interface used for digital audio. The MAX9860, a 16-bit mono audio voice CODEC IC from Analog Devices, provides the 3G-EA Click with voice communication. The MAX9860 IC uses

the PCM and I2C interfaces to communicate with the Quectel UG95 module. This IC provides a clean and audible analog interface for connecting the headset, with one audio output channel and one microphone input channel. The headset can be connected via the onboard 3.5mm audio jack. 3G-EA Click is also equipped with a micro-USB connector. It allows the module to be powered and configured by a personal computer (PC). Quectel offers a software suite that can be used with the 3G-EA click board. 3G-EA Click uses a standard 2-Wire UART interface to communicate with the host MCU with commonly used UART RX and TX. UART interface supports baud rates of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 230400, 460800, and 921600bps, with the default setting to automatic baud rate detection, between 4800 and 115200. The UART interface can be used for data transmission, AT communication, or firmware upgrades. The 3G-EA Click offers full

hardware flow control over the UART RTS and CTS pins. As the UG95 is internally supplied by 1.8V, the 3G-EA Click uses the TXB0106, a 6-bit bidirectional level shifting and voltage translator from Texas Instruments. In addition, the 3G-EA Click has a ringing RI indicator and the PWK as a power key, which is used during the power-up sequence. The STA is a status pin used to signal the status of the device, in addition to the STAT LED. The other LED is TXD, which indicates the network status. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the I/O SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. Also, this 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.

3G-EA Click (for EU and Australia) hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU board provides an affordable and flexible platform for experimenting with STM32 microcontrollers in 32-pin packages. Featuring Arduino™ Nano connectivity, it allows easy expansion with specialized shields, while being mbed-enabled for seamless integration with online resources. The

board includes an on-board ST-LINK/V2-1 debugger/programmer, supporting USB reenumeration with three interfaces: Virtual Com port, mass storage, and debug port. It offers a flexible power supply through either USB VBUS or an external source. Additionally, it includes three LEDs (LD1 for USB communication, LD2 for power,

and LD3 as a user LED) and a reset push button. The STM32 Nucleo-32 board is supported by various Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) such as IAR™, Keil®, and GCC-based IDEs like AC6 SW4STM32, making it a versatile tool for developers.

Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

ARM Cortex-M0

MCU Memory (KB)

32

Silicon Vendor

STMicroelectronics

Pin count

32

RAM (Bytes)

4096

You complete me!

Accessories

Click Shield for Nucleo-32 is the perfect way to expand your development board's functionalities with STM32 Nucleo-32 pinout. The Click Shield for Nucleo-32 provides two mikroBUS™ sockets to add any functionality from our ever-growing range of Click boards™. We are fully stocked with everything, from sensors and WiFi transceivers to motor control and audio amplifiers. The Click Shield for Nucleo-32 is compatible with the STM32 Nucleo-32 board, providing an affordable and flexible way for users to try out new ideas and quickly create prototypes with any STM32 microcontrollers, choosing from the various combinations of performance, power consumption, and features. The STM32 Nucleo-32 boards do not require any separate probe as they integrate the ST-LINK/V2-1 debugger/programmer and come with the STM32 comprehensive software HAL library and various packaged software examples. This development platform provides users with an effortless and common way to combine the STM32 Nucleo-32 footprint compatible board with their favorite Click boards™ in their upcoming projects.

Click Shield for Nucleo-32 accessories 1 image

Rubber Antenna GSM/GPRS Right Angle is the perfect companion for all GSM Click boards™ in our extensive lineup. This specialized antenna is designed to optimize your wireless connectivity with impressive features. With a wide frequency range spanning 824-894/1710-1990MHz or 890-960/1710-1890MHz, it can handle various frequency bands, ensuring a seamless and reliable connection. The antenna boasts an impedance of 50 Ohms and a gain of 2dB, enhancing signal reception and transmission. Its 70/180MHz bandwidth provides flexibility for diverse applications. The vertical polarization further enhances its performance. With a maximum input power capacity of 50W, this antenna ensures robust communication even under demanding conditions. Measuring a compact 50mm in length and featuring an SMA male connector, the Rubber Antenna GSM/GPRS Right Angle is a versatile and compact solution for your wireless communication needs.

3G-EA Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Status Indicator
PA0
AN
Module Power-Up
PA11
RST
UART RTS
PA4
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
UART RI
PA8
PWM
UART CTS
PA12
INT
UART TX
PA10
TX
UART RX
PA9
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

3G-EA Click (for EU and Australia) Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Click Shield for Nucleo-144 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Nucleo 32 with STM32F031K6 MCU as your development board.

Click Shield for Nucleo-144 front image hardware assembly
Nucleo 144 with STM32L4A6ZG MCU front image hardware assembly
Stepper 22 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Stepper 22 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
STM32 M4 Clicker HA MCU/Select 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 3G-EA Click driver.

Key functions:

  • c3gea_set_sim_apn - This function sets APN for sim card

  • c3gea_send_sms_text - This function sends text message to a phone number

  • c3gea_send_sms_pdu - This function sends text message to a phone number in PDU mode

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 3G-EA Click Example.
 *
 * # Description
 * This example reads and processes data from 3G-EA click.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes the driver and powers up the module, then sets default configuration 
 * for connecting the device to network.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Waits for device to connect to network and then sends a desired SMS to the selected phone number
 * approximately every 30 seconds.
 * 
 * ## Additional Function
 * - static void c3gea_clear_app_buf ( void )
 * - static void c3gea_error_check( err_t error_flag )
 * - static void c3gea_log_app_buf ( void )
 * - static void c3gea_check_connection( void )
 * - static err_t c3gea_rsp_check ( void )
 * - static err_t c3gea_process ( void )
 * 
 * @note 
 * In order for the example to work, user needs to set the phone number to which he wants 
 * to send an SMS, and also will need to set an APN and SMSC (required for PDU mode only) of entered SIM card.
 * Enter valid data for the following macros: SIM_APN, SIM_SMSC and PHONE_NUMBER_TO_MESSAGE.
 * E.g. 
    SIM_APN "vipmobile"
    SIM_SMSC "+381610401"
    PHONE_NUMBER_TO_MESSAGE "+38169999999"
 *
 * @author Stefan Ilic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "c3gea.h"
#include "string.h"

#define APP_OK                               0
#define APP_ERROR_DRIVER                    -1
#define APP_ERROR_OVERFLOW                  -2
#define APP_ERROR_TIMEOUT                   -3

#define RSP_OK                              "OK"
#define RSP_ERROR                           "ERROR"

#define SIM_APN                             ""  // Set valid SIM APN
#define SIM_SMSC                            ""  // Set valid SMS Service Center Address - only in PDU mode
#define PHONE_NUMBER_TO_MESSAGE             ""  // Set Phone number to message
#define MESSAGE_CONTENT                     "3G-EA click board - demo example."   // Message content 

#define PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE                 256

#define WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION                 0
#define CONNECTED_TO_NETWORK                1

static c3gea_t c3gea;
static log_t logger;

static char app_buf[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
static int32_t app_buf_len = 0;
static int32_t app_buf_cnt = 0;

static uint8_t app_connection_status        = WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION;

static err_t app_error_flag;

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA clearing application buffer.
 * @details This function clears memory of application buffer and reset it's length and counter.
 * @note None.
 */
static void c3gea_clear_app_buf ( void );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA data reading function.
 * @details This function reads data from device and concatenates data to application buffer.
 *
 * @return @li @c  0 - Read some data.
 *         @li @c -1 - Nothing is read.
 *         @li @c -2 - Application buffer overflow.
 *
 * See #err_t definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 */
static err_t c3gea_process ( void );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA check for errors.
 * @details This function checks for different types of errors and logs them on UART.
 * @note None.
 */
static void c3gea_error_check( err_t error_flag );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA logs application buffer.
 * @details This function logs data from application buffer.
 * @note None.
 */
static void c3gea_log_app_buf ( void );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA response check.
 * @details This function checks for response and returns the status of response.
 * 
 * @return application status.
 * See #err_t definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 */
static err_t c3gea_rsp_check ( void );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA check connection.
 * @details This function checks connection to the network and 
 *          logs that status to UART.
 * 
 * @note None.
 */
static void c3gea_check_connection( void );

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


void application_init ( void ) {
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    c3gea_cfg_t c3gea_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.

    c3gea_cfg_setup( &c3gea_cfg );
    C3GEA_MAP_MIKROBUS( c3gea_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    c3gea_init( &c3gea, &c3gea_cfg );

    c3gea_module_power( &c3gea, C3GEA_MODULE_POWER_ON );
    
    // dummy read
    c3gea_process( );
    c3gea_clear_app_buf( );
    
    // AT
    c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_AT );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check( );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // ATI - product information
    c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_ATI );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CGMR - firmware version
    c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CGMR );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CMEE - Report Mobile Equipment Error
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CMEE, "2" );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // COPS - deregister from network
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_COPS, "2" );
    Delay_ms( 4000 );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CGDCONT - set sim apn
    c3gea_set_sim_apn( &c3gea, SIM_APN );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CFUN - full funtionality
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CFUN, "1" );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // COPS - automatic mode
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_COPS, "0" );
    Delay_ms( 4000 );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CREG - network registration status
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CREG, "1" );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    app_buf_len = 0;
    app_buf_cnt = 0;
    app_connection_status = WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION;
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );
}

void application_task ( void ) {
     if ( app_connection_status == WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION ) {
        // CREG - network registration status
        c3gea_send_cmd_check( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CREG );
        app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
        c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
        Delay_ms( 500 );
        
        // CSQ - signal quality
        c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CSQ );
        app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
        c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
        Delay_ms( 3000 );
    } else {
        log_info( &logger, "CONNECTED TO NETWORK" );
        
        // SMS message format - PDU mode
        c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CMGF, "0" );
        app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
        c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
        Delay_ms( 3000 );
        
        for( ; ; ) {   
            log_printf( &logger, "> Sending message to phone number...\r\n" );
            c3gea_send_sms_pdu ( &c3gea, SIM_SMSC, PHONE_NUMBER_TO_MESSAGE, MESSAGE_CONTENT );
            app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
            c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
            Delay_ms( 10000 );
            Delay_ms( 10000 );
            Delay_ms( 10000 );
        }
    }
}

void main ( void ) {
    application_init( );

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

static void c3gea_clear_app_buf ( void ) {
    memset( app_buf, 0, app_buf_len );
    app_buf_len = 0;
    app_buf_cnt = 0;
}

static err_t c3gea_process ( void ) {
    err_t return_flag = APP_ERROR_DRIVER;
    int32_t rx_size;
    char rx_buff[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
    
    rx_size = c3gea_generic_read( &c3gea, rx_buff, PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );

    if ( rx_size > 0 ) { 
        int32_t buf_cnt = 0;
        return_flag = APP_OK;

        if ( app_buf_len + rx_size >= PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ) {
            c3gea_clear_app_buf(  );
            return_flag = APP_ERROR_OVERFLOW;
        } else {
            buf_cnt = app_buf_len;
            app_buf_len += rx_size;
        }

        for ( int32_t rx_cnt = 0; rx_cnt < rx_size; rx_cnt++ ) {
            if ( rx_buff[ rx_cnt ] != 0 ) {
                app_buf[ ( buf_cnt + rx_cnt ) ] = rx_buff[ rx_cnt ];
            } else {
                app_buf_len--;
                buf_cnt--;
            }
        }
    } 

    return return_flag;
}

static err_t c3gea_rsp_check ( void ) {
    uint16_t timeout_cnt = 0;
    uint32_t timeout = 100000;
    
    err_t error_flag = c3gea_process(  );
    
    if ( ( error_flag != 0 ) && ( error_flag != -1 ) ) {
        return error_flag;
    }
    
    while ( ( strstr( app_buf, RSP_OK ) == 0 ) && ( strstr( app_buf, RSP_ERROR ) == 0 ) ) {
        error_flag = c3gea_process(  );
        if ( ( error_flag != 0 ) && ( error_flag != -1 ) ) {
            return error_flag;
        }
        
        timeout_cnt++;
        if ( timeout_cnt > timeout ) {
            while ( ( strstr( app_buf, RSP_OK ) == 0 ) && ( strstr( app_buf, RSP_ERROR ) == 0 ) ) {
                c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_AT );
                c3gea_process(  );
                Delay_ms( 100 );
            }
            c3gea_clear_app_buf(  );
            return APP_ERROR_TIMEOUT;
        }
        
        Delay_ms( 1 );
    }
    
    c3gea_check_connection();
    
    c3gea_log_app_buf();
    
    return APP_OK;
}

static void c3gea_error_check( err_t error_flag ) {
    if ( ( error_flag != 0 ) && ( error_flag != -1 ) ) {
        switch ( error_flag ) {
            case -2:
                log_error( &logger, " Overflow!" );
                break;
            case -3:
                log_error( &logger, " Timeout!" );
                break;
            default:
                break;
        }
    }
}

static void c3gea_log_app_buf ( void ) {
    for ( int32_t buf_cnt = 0; buf_cnt < app_buf_len; buf_cnt++ ) {
        log_printf( &logger, "%c", app_buf[ buf_cnt ] );
    }
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n-----------------------------------\r\n" );
    
    c3gea_clear_app_buf(  );
}

static void c3gea_check_connection( void ) {
    #define CONNECTED "+CREG: 1,1"
    
    if ( strstr( app_buf, CONNECTED ) != 0 ) {
        app_connection_status = CONNECTED_TO_NETWORK;
    }
}

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

Additional Support

Resources

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