STM32Loader

Python module to upload or download firmware to / from ST Microelectronics STM32 microcontrollers over UART.

Also supports ST BlueNRG devices, and the SweetPeas bootloader for Wiznet W7500.

Compatible with Python version 3.9 to 3.11 and PyPy 3.9.

Installation

pip install stm32loader

To install the latest development version:

pip install git+https://github.com/florisla/stm32loader.git

Usage

usage: stm32loader [-h] [-e] [-u] [-x] [-w] [-v] [-r] [-l LENGTH] -p PORT [-b BAUD] [-a ADDRESS] [-g ADDRESS] [-f FAMILY]
                   [-V] [-q] [-s] [-R] [-B] [-n] [-P {even,none}] [--version]
                   [FILE.BIN]

Flash firmware to STM32 microcontrollers.

positional arguments:
  FILE.BIN              File to read from or store to flash.

options:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -e, --erase           Erase (note: this is required on previously written memory).
  -u, --unprotect       Unprotect flash from readout.
  -x, --protect         Protect flash against readout.
  -w, --write           Write file content to flash.
  -v, --verify          Verify flash content versus local file (recommended).
  -r, --read            Read from flash and store in local file.
  -l LENGTH, --length LENGTH
                        Length of read or erase.
  -p PORT, --port PORT  Serial port (default: $STM32LOADER_SERIAL_PORT).
  -b BAUD, --baud BAUD  Baudrate. (default: 115200)
  -a ADDRESS, --address ADDRESS
                        Target address for read, write or erase. (default: 134217728)
  -g ADDRESS, --go-address ADDRESS
                        Start executing from address (0x08000000, usually).
  -f FAMILY, --family FAMILY
                        Device family to read out device UID and flash size; e.g F1 for STM32F1xx. Possible values: F0,
                        F1, F3, F4, F7, H7, L4, L0, G0, NRG. (default: $STM32LOADER_FAMILY).
  -V, --verbose         Verbose mode.
  -q, --quiet           Quiet mode.
  -s, --swap-rts-dtr    Swap RTS and DTR: use RTS for reset and DTR for boot0.
  -R, --reset-active-high
                        Make RESET active high.
  -B, --boot0-active-low
                        Make BOOT0 active low.
  -n, --no-progress     Don't show progress bar.
  -P {even,none}, --parity {even,none}
                        Parity: "even" for STM32, "none" for BlueNRG. (default: even)
  --version             show program's version number and exit

examples:
  stm32loader --port COM7 --family F1
  stm32loader --erase --write --verify example/main.bin

Command-line example

stm32loader --port /dev/tty.usbserial-ftCYPMYJ --erase --write --verify somefile.bin

This will pre-erase flash, write somefile.bin to the flash on the device, and then perform a verification after writing is finished.

You can skip the --port option by configuring environment variable STM32LOADER_SERIAL_PORT. Similarly, --family may be supplied through STM32LOADER_FAMILY.

To read out firmware and store it in a file:

stm32loader --read --port /dev/cu.usbserial-A5XK3RJT --family F1 --length 0x10000 --address 0x08000000 dump.bin 

To erase the full device:

stm32loader --erase --port /dev/cu.usbserial-A5XK3RJT

Or erase only a specific region of the flash:

stm32loader --erase --address 0x08000000 --length 0x2000 --port /dev/cu.usbserial-A5XK3RJT

Reference documents

• ST AN2606: STM32 microcontroller system memory boot mode
• ST AN3155: USART protocol used in the STM32 bootloader
• ST AN4872: BlueNRG-1 and BlueNRG-2 UART bootloader protocol

Acknowledgement

Original Version by Ivan A-R (tuxotronic.org). Contributions by Domen Puncer, James Snyder, Floris Lambrechts, Atokulus, sam-bristow, NINI1988, Omer Kilic, Szymon Szantula, rdaforno, Mikolaj Stawiski, Tyler Coy, Alex Klimaj, Ondrej Mikle, denniszollo, emilzay, michsens, blueskull, Mattia Maldini, etrommer, jadeaffenjaeger, tosmaz.

Inspiration for features from:

• Configurable RTS/DTR and polarity, extended erase with pages: https://github.com/pazzarpj/stm32loader

• Memory unprotect https://github.com/3drobotics/stm32loader

• Correct checksum calculation for paged erase: https://github.com/jsnyder/stm32loader/pull/4

• ST BlueNRG chip support https://github.com/lchish/stm32loader

• Wiznet W7500 chip / SweetPeas custom bootloader support https://github.com/Sweet-Peas/WiznetLoader

Alternatives

If you don't need the flexibility of a Python tool, you can take a look at other similar tools in ALTERNATIVES.md.

Electrically

The below assumes you are connecting an STM32F10x. For other chips, the serial pins and/or the BOOT0 / BOOT1 values may differ.

Make the following connections:

• Serial adapter GND to MCU GND.
• Serial adapter power to MCU power or vice versa (either 3.3 or 5 Volt).
• Note if you're using 5 Volt signaling or 3V3 on the serial adapter.
• Serial TX to MCU RX (PA10).
• Serial RX to MCU TX (PA9).
• Serial DTR to MCU RESET.
• Serial RTS to MCU BOOT0 (or BOOT0 to 3.3V).
• MCU BOOT1 to GND.

If either RTS or DTR are not available on your serial adapter, you'll have to manually push buttons or work with jumpers. When given a choice, set BOOT0 manually high and drive RESET through the serial adapter (it needs to toggle, whereas BOOT0 does not).

Not currently supported

• Command-line argument for write protection/unprotection.
• STM8 devices (ST UM0560).
• Other bootloader protocols (e.g. I2C, HEX -> implemented in stm32flash).

Future work

• Use f-strings.
• Use proper logging instead of print statements.