Overview
Learn how to control a micro servo with an STM32 microcontroller. This tutorial covers setup, code, and hardware required for STM32 micro servo projects.
What You Will Learn
- How to generate a PWM signal with an STM32 to control a small hobby servo
- How the pulse width calculation maps servo angle requests to timer compare values
- How to configure the timer and GPIO resources needed for servo control in STM32CubeIDE
- How to sweep a servo back and forth while printing debug output to a serial console
Prerequisites
This tutorial assumes basic familiarity with STM32CubeIDE, timers/PWM, and simple embedded C development on STM32 microcontrollers.
Materials List
Project Structure
This example uses a straightforward STM32CubeIDE project structure centered around main.h, main.c, and Cube-generated peripheral initialization for TIM2 and USART1. The original source walkthrough and code/plugin blocks are preserved in the Code Walkthrough section.
Hardware Configuration / Pinouts
Overview
This tutorial includes hardware. The original servo datasheet, schematic, and configuration material from the legacy post are preserved below.
SG90 Micro Servo 9G Datasheet
Schematic
Project Setup
Code Walkthrough
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 */
