Introduction
Ever wanted to know about what steps are needed in controlling a micro servo using a STM32 µP but didn’t know how? Well in this wonderful tutorial, we are going to cover that exact topic.
Materials List
SG90 Micro Servo 9G Datasheet
Schematic
Pinouts & Configurations
Exploring the Source Code
main.h
C
/* USER CODE BEGIN Header */
/**
******************************************************************************
* @file : main.h
* @brief : Header for main.c file.
* This file contains the common defines of the application.
******************************************************************************
* @attention
*
* Copyright (c) 2025 STMicroelectronics.
* All rights reserved.
*
* This software is licensed under terms that can be found in the LICENSE file
* in the root directory of this software component.
* If no LICENSE file comes with this software, it is provided AS-IS.
*
******************************************************************************
*/
/* USER CODE END Header */
/* Define to prevent recursive inclusion -------------------------------------*/
#ifndef __MAIN_H
#define __MAIN_H
#ifdef __cplusplus
extern "C" {
#endif
/* Includes ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
#include "stm32f4xx_hal.h"
/* Private includes ----------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN Includes */
/* USER CODE END Includes */
/* Exported types ------------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN ET */
/* USER CODE END ET */
/* Exported constants --------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN EC */
/* USER CODE END EC */
/* Exported macro ------------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN EM */
/* USER CODE END EM */
void HAL_TIM_MspPostInit(TIM_HandleTypeDef *htim);
/* Exported functions prototypes ---------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN EFP */
/* USER CODE END EFP */
/* Private defines -----------------------------------------------------------*/
#define B1_Pin GPIO_PIN_13
#define B1_GPIO_Port GPIOC
#define LD2_Pin GPIO_PIN_5
#define LD2_GPIO_Port GPIOA
#define TMS_Pin GPIO_PIN_13
#define TMS_GPIO_Port GPIOA
#define TCK_Pin GPIO_PIN_14
#define TCK_GPIO_Port GPIOA
#define SWO_Pin GPIO_PIN_3
#define SWO_GPIO_Port GPIOB
/* USER CODE BEGIN Private defines */
void _Error_Handler(const char *, int);
#define Error_Handler() _Error_Handler((const char *)__FILE__, __LINE__)
#define REDIRECT_PRINTF
/* USER CODE END Private defines */
#ifdef __cplusplus
}
#endif
#endif /* __MAIN_H */
main.c
The chart below indicates where the calculations came from in the highlighted code below.
C
/* USER CODE BEGIN Header */
/**
******************************************************************************
* @file : main.c
* @brief : Main program body
******************************************************************************
* @attention
*
* Copyright (c) 2025 STMicroelectronics.
* All rights reserved.
*
* This software is licensed under terms that can be found in the LICENSE file
* in the root directory of this software component.
* If no LICENSE file comes with this software, it is provided AS-IS.
*
******************************************************************************
*/
/* USER CODE END Header */
/* Includes ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
#include "main.h"
/* Private includes ----------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN Includes */
#include "stdio.h"
#include "string.h"
/* USER CODE END Includes */
/* Private typedef -----------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN PTD */
/* USER CODE END PTD */
/* Private define ------------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN PD */
/* USER CODE END PD */
/* Private macro -------------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN PM */
/* USER CODE END PM */
/* Private variables ---------------------------------------------------------*/
TIM_HandleTypeDef htim2;
UART_HandleTypeDef huart1;
/* USER CODE BEGIN PV */
/* USER CODE END PV */
/* Private function prototypes -----------------------------------------------*/
void SystemClock_Config(void);
static void MX_GPIO_Init(void);
static void MX_TIM2_Init(void);
static void MX_USART1_UART_Init(void);
/* USER CODE BEGIN PFP */
/* USER CODE END PFP */
/* Private user code ---------------------------------------------------------*/
/* USER CODE BEGIN 0 */
#ifdef REDIRECT_PRINTF
#define PUTCHAR_PROTOTYPE int __io_putchar(int ch)
#endif
#ifdef REDIRECT_PRINTF
/**
* @brief Retargets the C library printf function to the USART.
* @param None
* @retval None
*/
PUTCHAR_PROTOTYPE
{
HAL_UART_Transmit(&huart1, (uint8_t *)&ch, 1, 0xFFFF);
return ch;
}
#endif
uint32_t base = 250; // This is the base value for a degree of 0
/*
*
* 0 degree = 250 which is base
* 180 degree = degree - 1250 - base
* 180 degree = 1000
* 1 degree = 1000 / 180
* percentage = 1000 / 180
* percentage = 5.555555556
* 1 degree = 5.555555556
*/
// Function to set servo angle
void setServoAngle(TIM_HandleTypeDef *htim, uint32_t channel, uint16_t angle)
{
float percentage = 5.555555556;
uint32_t pulse_length = base + (angle * percentage);
printf("angle = %d, pulse = %ld\r\n", angle, pulse_length);
__HAL_TIM_SET_COMPARE(htim, channel, pulse_length);
}
/* USER CODE END 0 */
/**
* @brief The application entry point.
* @retval int
*/
int main(void)
{
/* USER CODE BEGIN 1 */
/* USER CODE END 1 */
/* MCU Configuration--------------------------------------------------------*/
/* Reset of all peripherals, Initializes the Flash interface and the Systick. */
HAL_Init();
/* USER CODE BEGIN Init */
/* USER CODE END Init */
/* Configure the system clock */
SystemClock_Config();
/* USER CODE BEGIN SysInit */
/* USER CODE END SysInit */
/* Initialize all configured peripherals */
MX_GPIO_Init();
MX_TIM2_Init();
MX_USART1_UART_Init();
/* USER CODE BEGIN 2 */
printf("\x1b[2J\x1b[H"); // Clear the dumb terminal screen
HAL_TIM_PWM_Start(&htim2, TIM_CHANNEL_2);
int timeout = 1000;
int incr = 15;
/* USER CODE END 2 */
/* Infinite loop */
/* USER CODE BEGIN WHILE */
while (1)
{
// Sweep servo from 0 to 180 degrees
for (uint8_t angle = 0; angle <= 180; angle += incr)
{
setServoAngle(&htim2, TIM_CHANNEL_2, angle);
HAL_Delay(timeout);
}
// Sweep back from 180 to 0 degrees
for (uint8_t angle = 180 - incr; angle > 0; angle -= incr)
{
setServoAngle(&htim2, TIM_CHANNEL_2, angle);
HAL_Delay(timeout);
}
/* USER CODE END WHILE */
/* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */
}
/* USER CODE END 3 */
}
/**
* @brief System Clock Configuration
* @retval None
*/
void SystemClock_Config(void)
{
RCC_OscInitTypeDef RCC_OscInitStruct = {0};
RCC_ClkInitTypeDef RCC_ClkInitStruct = {0};
/** Configure the main internal regulator output voltage
*/
__HAL_RCC_PWR_CLK_ENABLE();
__HAL_PWR_VOLTAGESCALING_CONFIG(PWR_REGULATOR_VOLTAGE_SCALE1);
/** Initializes the RCC Oscillators according to the specified parameters
* in the RCC_OscInitTypeDef structure.
*/
RCC_OscInitStruct.OscillatorType = RCC_OSCILLATORTYPE_HSE;
RCC_OscInitStruct.HSEState = RCC_HSE_ON;
RCC_OscInitStruct.PLL.PLLState = RCC_PLL_ON;
RCC_OscInitStruct.PLL.PLLSource = RCC_PLLSOURCE_HSE;
RCC_OscInitStruct.PLL.PLLM = 4;
RCC_OscInitStruct.PLL.PLLN = 180;
RCC_OscInitStruct.PLL.PLLP = RCC_PLLP_DIV2;
RCC_OscInitStruct.PLL.PLLQ = 2;
RCC_OscInitStruct.PLL.PLLR = 2;
if (HAL_RCC_OscConfig(&RCC_OscInitStruct) != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
/** Activate the Over-Drive mode
*/
if (HAL_PWREx_EnableOverDrive() != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
/** Initializes the CPU, AHB and APB buses clocks
*/
RCC_ClkInitStruct.ClockType = RCC_CLOCKTYPE_HCLK|RCC_CLOCKTYPE_SYSCLK
|RCC_CLOCKTYPE_PCLK1|RCC_CLOCKTYPE_PCLK2;
RCC_ClkInitStruct.SYSCLKSource = RCC_SYSCLKSOURCE_PLLCLK;
RCC_ClkInitStruct.AHBCLKDivider = RCC_SYSCLK_DIV1;
RCC_ClkInitStruct.APB1CLKDivider = RCC_HCLK_DIV4;
RCC_ClkInitStruct.APB2CLKDivider = RCC_HCLK_DIV2;
if (HAL_RCC_ClockConfig(&RCC_ClkInitStruct, FLASH_LATENCY_5) != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
}
/**
* @brief TIM2 Initialization Function
* @param None
* @retval None
*/
static void MX_TIM2_Init(void)
{
/* USER CODE BEGIN TIM2_Init 0 */
/* USER CODE END TIM2_Init 0 */
TIM_ClockConfigTypeDef sClockSourceConfig = {0};
TIM_MasterConfigTypeDef sMasterConfig = {0};
TIM_OC_InitTypeDef sConfigOC = {0};
/* USER CODE BEGIN TIM2_Init 1 */
/* USER CODE END TIM2_Init 1 */
htim2.Instance = TIM2;
htim2.Init.Prescaler = 180-1;
htim2.Init.CounterMode = TIM_COUNTERMODE_UP;
htim2.Init.Period = 10000-1;
htim2.Init.ClockDivision = TIM_CLOCKDIVISION_DIV1;
htim2.Init.AutoReloadPreload = TIM_AUTORELOAD_PRELOAD_DISABLE;
if (HAL_TIM_Base_Init(&htim2) != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
sClockSourceConfig.ClockSource = TIM_CLOCKSOURCE_INTERNAL;
if (HAL_TIM_ConfigClockSource(&htim2, &sClockSourceConfig) != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
if (HAL_TIM_PWM_Init(&htim2) != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
sMasterConfig.MasterOutputTrigger = TIM_TRGO_RESET;
sMasterConfig.MasterSlaveMode = TIM_MASTERSLAVEMODE_DISABLE;
if (HAL_TIMEx_MasterConfigSynchronization(&htim2, &sMasterConfig) != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
sConfigOC.OCMode = TIM_OCMODE_PWM1;
sConfigOC.Pulse = 0;
sConfigOC.OCPolarity = TIM_OCPOLARITY_HIGH;
sConfigOC.OCFastMode = TIM_OCFAST_DISABLE;
if (HAL_TIM_PWM_ConfigChannel(&htim2, &sConfigOC, TIM_CHANNEL_2) != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
/* USER CODE BEGIN TIM2_Init 2 */
/* USER CODE END TIM2_Init 2 */
HAL_TIM_MspPostInit(&htim2);
}
/**
* @brief USART1 Initialization Function
* @param None
* @retval None
*/
static void MX_USART1_UART_Init(void)
{
/* USER CODE BEGIN USART1_Init 0 */
/* USER CODE END USART1_Init 0 */
/* USER CODE BEGIN USART1_Init 1 */
/* USER CODE END USART1_Init 1 */
huart1.Instance = USART1;
huart1.Init.BaudRate = 19200;
huart1.Init.WordLength = UART_WORDLENGTH_8B;
huart1.Init.StopBits = UART_STOPBITS_1;
huart1.Init.Parity = UART_PARITY_NONE;
huart1.Init.Mode = UART_MODE_TX_RX;
huart1.Init.HwFlowCtl = UART_HWCONTROL_NONE;
huart1.Init.OverSampling = UART_OVERSAMPLING_16;
if (HAL_UART_Init(&huart1) != HAL_OK)
{
Error_Handler();
}
/* USER CODE BEGIN USART1_Init 2 */
/* USER CODE END USART1_Init 2 */
}
/**
* @brief GPIO Initialization Function
* @param None
* @retval None
*/
static void MX_GPIO_Init(void)
{
GPIO_InitTypeDef GPIO_InitStruct = {0};
/* USER CODE BEGIN MX_GPIO_Init_1 */
/* USER CODE END MX_GPIO_Init_1 */
/* GPIO Ports Clock Enable */
__HAL_RCC_GPIOC_CLK_ENABLE();
__HAL_RCC_GPIOH_CLK_ENABLE();
__HAL_RCC_GPIOA_CLK_ENABLE();
__HAL_RCC_GPIOB_CLK_ENABLE();
/*Configure GPIO pin Output Level */
HAL_GPIO_WritePin(LD2_GPIO_Port, LD2_Pin, GPIO_PIN_RESET);
/*Configure GPIO pin : B1_Pin */
GPIO_InitStruct.Pin = B1_Pin;
GPIO_InitStruct.Mode = GPIO_MODE_IT_FALLING;
GPIO_InitStruct.Pull = GPIO_NOPULL;
HAL_GPIO_Init(B1_GPIO_Port, &GPIO_InitStruct);
/*Configure GPIO pin : LD2_Pin */
GPIO_InitStruct.Pin = LD2_Pin;
GPIO_InitStruct.Mode = GPIO_MODE_OUTPUT_PP;
GPIO_InitStruct.Pull = GPIO_NOPULL;
GPIO_InitStruct.Speed = GPIO_SPEED_FREQ_LOW;
HAL_GPIO_Init(LD2_GPIO_Port, &GPIO_InitStruct);
/* USER CODE BEGIN MX_GPIO_Init_2 */
/* USER CODE END MX_GPIO_Init_2 */
}
/* USER CODE BEGIN 4 */
/**
* @brief This function is executed in case of error occurrence.
* @param file: The file name as string.
* @param line: The line in file as a number.
* @retval None
*/
void _Error_Handler(const char *file, int line)
{
/* USER CODE BEGIN Error_Handler_Debug */
__disable_irq();
#ifdef REDIRECT_PRINTF
char buf[80];
sprintf(buf, "Trapped in _Error_Handler(). Called from: %s, line: %d\r\n", file, line);
printf(buf);
#endif
/* User can add his own implementation to report the HAL error return state */
while(1)
{
}
}
/* USER CODE END 4 */
#ifdef USE_FULL_ASSERT
/**
* @brief Reports the name of the source file and the source line number
* where the assert_param error has occurred.
* @param file: pointer to the source file name
* @param line: assert_param error line source number
* @retval None
*/
void assert_failed(uint8_t *file, uint32_t line)
{
/* USER CODE BEGIN 6 */
/* User can add his own implementation to report the file name and line number,
ex: printf("Wrong parameters value: file %s on line %d\r\n", file, line) */
/* USER CODE END 6 */
}
#endif /* USE_FULL_ASSERT */
USART1 Dumb Terminal Output
