HardwareTimer library is not working

[karstengit]

I tried out the new HardwareTimer library but it seems not work on an BluePill.
This is a very good idea.

Specially the example compiles with no error but does not do anything:
https://github.com/stm32duino/STM32Examples/blob/master/examples/Peripherals/HardwareTimer/PWM_FullConfiguration/PWM_FullConfiguration.ino

Has the STM32 core 1.8.0 been rolled back?

[ABOSTM]

Hi @karstengit,
HardwareTimer works well on BluePill with core 1.8.0
But it is true that the example doesn't work out of the box for this board:
the example try to use LED_BUILTIN as PWM output to have visual effect,
unfortunately, for this board, LED_BUILTIN = PC13 and PC13 doesn't have HardwareTimer capability.

So, for this board, you need to modify the pin used to have the HardwareTimer capability.
ex: #define pin PA0

I will add a note in the examples about this.

[karstengit]

Yes, but when i connect an LED with resistor to PA8 this does not work too.

/*
  All-in-one setPWM
  This example shows how to configure a PWM with HardwareTimer in one single function call.
  PWM is generated on `LED_BUILTIN` if available.
  No interruption callback used: PWM is generated by hardware.
  Once configured, there is no CPU load.
*/

#define pin  PA8

void setup()
{
  // no need to configure pin, it will be done by HardwareTimer configuration
  // pinMode(pin, OUTPUT);

  // Automatically retrieve TIM instance and channel associated to pin
  // This is used to be compatible with all STM32 series automatically.
  TIM_TypeDef *Instance = (TIM_TypeDef *)pinmap_peripheral(digitalPinToPinName(pin), PinMap_PWM);
  uint32_t channel = STM_PIN_CHANNEL(pinmap_function(digitalPinToPinName(pin), PinMap_PWM));


  // Instantiate HardwareTimer object. Thanks to 'new' instantiation, HardwareTimer is not destructed when setup() function is finished.
  HardwareTimer *MyTim = new HardwareTimer(Instance);

  // Configure and start PWM
  // MyTim->setPWM(channel, pin, 5, 10, NULL, NULL); // No callback required, we can simplify the function call
  MyTim->setPWM(channel, pin, 5, 10); // 5 Hertz, 10% dutycycle
}


void loop()
{
  /* Nothing to do all is done by hardware. Even no interrupt required. */
}

With 1.8.0. the programming with stm32flash is missing too?

[ABOSTM]

I checked on PA8 on my side with your exact sketch above (with an oscillo), it is well working.
Please check your setup.
Warning only 10% duty cycle is configured it may be insufficient for your LED.

Yes stm32flash has been replaced by cubeProgrammer since core 1.6.0:
https://github.com/stm32duino/wiki/wiki/Upload-methods#serial

[karstengit]

Thanks for your support.
I tested now with an osci too - but the pin is constant on +3.3.
I tried with a higher frequency but the result is the same.
MyTim->setPWM(channel, pin, 50, 50);

Maybe the Blue-Pill is broken?
I will try it with another one, but at this time i will not believe it.

Maybe the compilation output is wrong?
PWM-Test.zip
Can you flash this or maybe you can give me yours?

Ah - cubeProgrammer is new. O.K. sounds good, but
a) it is not Opensource
b) it needs Java to run?
c) Java itself seems to get not free anymore

(I need an update, because my system has only V1.7 installed)

How can i use the old stm32flash instead that is very small and quick in Linux?

[ABOSTM]

Hi @karstengit,
With your binary I got nothing on PA8.
Here is mine which is well working (official 1.8.0 version with your sketch above)
arduino_build_560972.zip

I let @fpistm comment about CubeProgrammer.

[fpistm]

a) it is not Opensource

No, but multi OS and mainly it supports all STM32 series while STM32Flash not.

b) it needs Java to run?

Yes

c) Java itself seems to get not free anymore

You can use the OPENJDK

How can i use the old stm32flash instead that is very small and quick in Linux?

You will have to do ii your own.
You can create a platform.local.txt and boards.local.txt to override the default one with you new upload method:
https://github.com/arduino/Arduino/wiki/Arduino-IDE-1.5-3rd-party-Hardware-specification#platformlocaltxt
https://github.com/arduino/Arduino/wiki/Arduino-IDE-1.5-3rd-party-Hardware-specification#boardslocaltxt
or have a look here:
https://github.com/stm32duino/wiki/wiki/Custom-board-based-on-a-core

[karstengit]

The reason for this problem can be found here: stm32duino/Arduino_Core_STM32#948

[karstengit]

Hi @karstengit,
With your binary I got nothing on PA8.

Then there was really a problem with the build of the binary.

Here is mine which is well working (official 1.8.0 version with your sketch above)
arduino_build_560972.zip

Thanks - it is working here too.

[karstengit]

a) it is not Opensource
No, but multi OS and mainly it supports all STM32 series while STM32Flash not.

Yes - that's fine.

b) it needs Java to run?
Yes

128 MB instead of 27 KB for st-flash - is there something more to say?

c) Java itself seems to get not free anymore
You can use the OPENJDK

The problem is that CubeProgrammer could be installed but is not running on my Debian 8 or 10.
At my beginner level i don't need the functionality of this tool - i just want to flash some BluePills.

How can i use the old stm32flash instead that is very small and quick in Linux?
You will have to do ii your own.

It was already implemented.
How can i get the old implementation out of the git?

You can create a platform.local.txt and boards.local.txt to override the default one with you new upload method:
https://github.com/arduino/Arduino/wiki/Arduino-IDE-1.5-3rd-party-Hardware-specification#platformlocaltxt
https://github.com/arduino/Arduino/wiki/Arduino-IDE-1.5-3rd-party-Hardware-specification#boardslocaltxt
or have a look here:
https://github.com/stm32duino/wiki/wiki/Custom-board-based-on-a-core

This is the longer way.

It would be fine if the old programming modes would be still available and CubeProgrammer will be additional.
It can't be shipped with stm32duino - but the other small tools where no problem.

[karstengit]

Regarding the example #20 (comment)
What must be done to alter the PWM in the main loop?

PWM-Test.ino: In function 'void loop()':
PWM-Test:81:5: error: 'MyTim' was not declared in this scope
   81 |     MyTim->setPWM(channel, PWM_PIN, frequency, percent); // Setting PWM
      |     ^~~~~

As you can see the declaration is not known outside of setup.

[fpistm]

@karstengit
It seems clear you didn't define MyTim...

What is your full sketch...

For this kind of support, please the the forum...