Set Up VS Code with CMake for STM32F4 Embedded C Projects Using STM32CubeMX

Introduction

Setting up Visual Studio Code (VS Code) for STM32F4 embedded development can streamline your workflow, especially when combined with CMake and the STM32CubeMX toolchain. This guide will walk you through the prerequisites, necessary tools, and detailed steps to get you started.

Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of C programming
• Familiarity with embedded systems concepts
• STM32F4 microcontroller and development board
• Installed STM32CubeMX tool
• Installed VS Code editor
• Installed CMake
• Installed GCC ARM toolchain

Parts/Tools

• STM32CubeMX
• VS Code
• CMake
• GCC ARM toolchain
• ST-Link programmer/debugger

Steps

1. Install Required Software
   1. Download and install Visual Studio Code.
   2. Install CMake for your operating system.
   3. Download and install the GCC ARM toolchain.
   4. Install any necessary extensions for VS Code, such as:
      • C/C++ extension by Microsoft
      • CMake Tools
      • Code Runner (optional)
2. Create a New STM32 Project with STM32CubeMX
   1. Open STM32CubeMX and select your STM32F4 microcontroller.
   2. Configure the peripherals as needed for your project.
   3. In the Project settings, set the toolchain to SW4STM32.
   4. Enable Generate under the C/C++ Project section.
   5. Click Project > Generate Code to create your project files.
3. Set Up CMake for Your Project
   1. Navigate to your generated project folder.
   2. Create a new file named CMakeLists.txt with the following content:

      CMAKE_MINIMUM_REQUIRED(VERSION 3.10)
      project(STM32F4Project)
      
      set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD 11)
      set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
      
      include_directories(${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/Drivers/STM32F4xx_HAL_Driver/Inc)
      add_executable(STM32F4Project main.c)
      target_link_libraries(STM32F4Project -T${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/STM32F4xx.ld)
                      

4. Open Your Project in VS Code
   1. Launch VS Code and open the folder containing your project.
   2. Open the integrated terminal in VS Code.
   3. Run the following command to build your project:

      mkdir build
      cd build
      cmake ..
      make
                      

5. Upload Code to STM32F4
   1. Connect your STM32F4 board to your PC via ST-Link.
   2. Use the following command to flash the binary:

      st-flash write build/STF4Project.bin 0x8000000
                      

Troubleshooting

• If you encounter build errors, ensure that all paths in your CMakeLists.txt are correct, especially the include directories and linker scripts.
• Check that your GCC ARM toolchain is correctly installed and added to your system’s PATH.
• Ensure that the appropriate drivers are installed for your ST-Link device.
• If flashing fails, confirm that your STM32F4 board is correctly powered and connected.

Conclusion

Setting up VS Code with CMake for STM32F4 embedded projects can significantly enhance your development experience. By following these steps, you can efficiently write, build, and upload code to your STM32F4 microcontroller using the STM32CubeMX toolchain. Happy coding!