This year we are using a STM32F429ZI NucleoTM Development board from ST Microelectronics. This small and low-cost board hosts a modern and powerful microcontroller, based on the ARM CortexTM M4 Microcontroller design. By default the board is actually two boards connected together – the top section contains the electronics to support powering, programming and debugging of the lower section, which hosts the actual STM32F429ZI MCU as well as connectors, some switches and three LEDs. It is possible to separate the two sections, but we will NOT be doing this on this module.
By default, power is sourced from the USB interface. The on-board power regulators bring out 3.3V, 5V and ground (0V) onto separate pins.
There are two groups of connectors: the ST MorphoTM and the all-pervasive ArduinoTM standards. This provides the option to source a wide range of add-on boards. We will not be using such add-on boards – our aim it more to teach you to develop such add-on boards as opposed to buying one off the shelf.