GD32F103CBT6 datasheet & price | review

Gd32f103cbt6

The GD32F103CBT6 is a 32-bit microcontroller based on the ARM Cortex-M3 core, perfect for embedded systems. Here’s a quick overview of its features:

Core & Performance: It runs at up to 72 MHz, making it ideal for real-time tasks. It has 128KB of flash storage for your program code and 20KB of SRAM for data storage and buffering.

Peripherals: It has up to 51 GPIO pins, 3 timers for PWM and signal capture, and a high-precision 32-bit timer for motor control. For communication, it includes 2 SPI, 2 I2C, and 3 UART interfaces. It also has a 12-bit ADC with 16 channels and a 12-bit DAC for audio and signal applications. Plus, it supports CAN 2.0B for industrial and automotive use.

Power & Efficiency: With a 2.6V to 3.6V operating range, it’s designed for low power consumption. It has multiple low-power modes to extend battery life.

This microcontroller is great for applications in industrial control, consumer electronics, automotive, and medical devices, offering plenty of connectivity and power management options.

Gd32f103cbt6 Pinout Reference

When working with the GPIO pins on the GD32F103CBT6, you have a lot of flexibility. These pins can be configured for various functions like input, output, or analog input, so make sure to set them up properly for your specific application.

Many pins also have multiplexing features, meaning they can be used for different peripherals like I2C, SPI, or USART. Just make sure the pin and peripheral are compatible when making your selection.

For things like resetting the microcontroller, the NRST pin is key. You’ll also find OSC_IN and OSC_OUT pins for connecting an external oscillator. Make sure your clock setup is stable for reliable operation.

The VDD and VSS pins should be connected to a stable 3.3V power supply and ground, respectively. Keeping the power stable is crucial for the microcontroller to function properly.

By carefully selecting and configuring these pins, you can make the most of the GD32F103CBT6 in a wide range of embedded applications.

Gd32f103cbt6 Stm32 Compatible Alternative

When choosing between the GD32F103CBT6, STM32F103CBT6, and STM32F030R8T6, here’s what you should know:

Processor Core: Both the GD32F103CBT6 and STM32F103CBT6 use the ARM Cortex-M3 core, offering more processing power for demanding applications. On the other hand, the STM32F030R8T6 uses the ARM Cortex-M0 core, which is lower in performance and better suited for simpler, resource-constrained tasks.

Storage: The GD32F103CBT6 and STM32F103CBT6 come with 128KB of Flash and 20KB of SRAM, making them suitable for mid-sized applications. The STM32F030R8T6 has just 64KB of Flash, which might not be enough for projects requiring more storage.

Peripherals: The GD32F103CBT6 and STM32F103CBT6 offer more peripheral options, including 3 UARTs, 2 SPI, and 2 I2C interfaces. The STM32F030R8T6 has fewer options, with only 1 UART and 1 SPI.

Size and Packaging: If space is tight, the STM32F030R8T6 with its LQFP-32 package is more compact, while the others use the LQFP-48, which is better for larger layouts.

CAN Support: The GD32F103CBT6 and STM32F103CBT6 support CAN for automotive or industrial communication, while the STM32F030R8T6 does not.

Gd32f103cbt6 Wiring With Usb Port

To connect the GD32F103CBT6 microcontroller to a USB port, you’ll be working with a few key pins. Here’s a simple guide:

1. USB Pin Connections:

   • D+ (Pin 12) and D- (Pin 11) are your data lines that connect to the USB host’s D+ and D- lines for data transfer.

   • VBUS (Pin 9) is the power line that provides 5V from the USB host if you’re powering the device through USB.

   • GND (Pin 15) connects to the ground of the USB host.

2. Hardware Setup:

   • Use a 100nF capacitor between VDD and GND to stabilize the power supply.

   • Place a 1.5kΩ pull-up resistor on the D+ line to ensure good signal quality.

3. Power Management:

   • The GD32F103CBT6 detects the USB connection via VBUS and switches to USB power mode automatically. If you’re using an external power source, you can disable the VBUS pin to save power.

4. Software Configuration:

   • In your firmware, configure the USB stack (like STM32’s USB library) to set up the device mode and support different USB device types, like HID or Mass Storage.

By following these steps, you’ll have your GD32F103CBT6 successfully connected to a USB port for communication.

Gd32f103cbt6 Pwm and Adc Usage

The GD32F103CBT6 microcontroller offers powerful PWM and ADC functionalities for your embedded projects.

PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): You can generate PWM signals using timers like TIM2. These signals are perfect for controlling motors, dimming LEDs, or other applications where you need to adjust speed or brightness. For example, you can generate PWM on the PA5 pin and adjust its duty cycle to control motor speed or LED intensity.

ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter): The GD32F103CBT6 features a 12-bit ADC with up to 16 channels. This allows you to convert analog signals (like those from temperature or light sensors) into digital values for processing. For instance, by connecting an analog sensor to the PA0 pin, you can use the ADC to read its output and work with the data in your system.

Gd32f103cbt6 Bluepill Board Layout

Key Components:
The main chip, the GD32F103CBT6, is powered by the ARM Cortex-M3 core, offering solid performance for your embedded applications. You’ll find 5V and 3.3V pins to power the board, with 3.3V being the standard. There’s also a power switch to turn the board on/off and a reset button to reboot the microcontroller if needed.

Buttons & Connectivity:
A user button (KEY) is available for custom functions, like triggering events. The USB port is essential for programming, data transfer, or power. For external connections, the board provides multiple GPIO pins, perfect for sensors or peripherals.

Debugging & Other Features:
There’s a small debugging header for using tools like ST-Link, and GND pins for common grounding.

Gd32f103cbt6 Programming Method

When you’re programming the GD32F103CBT6 microcontroller, you’ve got a few easy and practical options to choose from.

The best choice for most developers is using the SWD interface, connecting to tools like ST-Link or J-Link. It’s quick, simple, and great for debugging and regular code uploads during your development phase.

Another handy way is through UART ISP programming. You’ll just connect a USB-to-serial converter to the USART pins, set BOOT0 to high, and use software like GD32 ISP Programmer. This method is ideal for firmware upgrades, especially in production settings.

If you prefer simplicity in the field, try USB DFU programming—just plug into the USB port, enter DFU mode, and flash directly with DFU software.

Lastly, there’s JTAG programming, though it’s less common since SWD usually does the same job more easily.

Overall, sticking with SWD or UART will keep things straightforward and cover most of your needs.

Gd32f103cbt6 System Clock Setup

The GD32F103CBT6 microcontroller gives you plenty of flexibility when it comes to setting up the system clock. Here’s a quick rundown of how to configure it:

Clock Source:

• HSI (High-Speed Internal): This is the default clock, running at 8 MHz, and works well for most general applications.

• HSE (High-Speed External): If you need more precision, you can use an external crystal oscillator. It supports frequencies between 4 MHz and 16 MHz, giving you more accurate timing for sensitive applications.

PLL Configuration:

• You can use either HSI or HSE as input to the PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) to boost the clock frequency to 72 MHz or higher (like 108 MHz) depending on your performance needs.

System Clock:

• Set the PLL output as the system clock (SYSCLK) to get the desired higher frequency for the microcontroller.

Bus Clock:

• AHB is typically set to match SYSCLK, while APB1 and APB2 are configured to 1/2 or 1/1 of SYSCLK to ensure stable peripheral operation.

Flash Wait States:

• For higher system clock frequencies, adjust the Flash wait states to ensure stable program execution.

Gd32f103cbt6 Uart Connection to Pc

To set up serial communication between the GD32F103CBT6 microcontroller and your PC, you’ll be using the USART1 interface located on pins PA9 (TX) and PA10 (RX). To make the connection, just use a USB-to-serial adapter like an FTDI or CP2102.

Hardware Setup:

• TX (PA9): Connect this to the RX pin on the USB-to-serial adapter.

• RX (PA10): Connect this to the TX pin on the adapter.

• GND: Ensure this is connected to the ground on your PC.

Communication Process:

• On your PC, open a serial communication tool like PuTTY or Tera Term. Set the same baud rate, data bits, stop bits, and parity as configured on the microcontroller to ensure proper data transfer.

Use Cases:

• This setup is commonly used for debugging, data collection, and communication between your embedded system and PC. It’s a reliable way to send or receive data during embedded development.

Gd32f103cbt6 Timer Interrupt Example

When working with timer interrupts on the GD32F103CBT6 microcontroller, you can easily set up periodic tasks like updating displays, sampling data, or controlling an LED blink. Here’s how you can configure it:

1. Enable Timer Clock: First, you need to enable the timer’s clock, such as TIM2, to get it running.

2. Configure Timer Parameters: Set the prescaler to control the timer’s frequency and the auto-reload value to determine the overflow period. For example, with a system clock of 72 MHz, a prescaler of 7199 gives a 10 kHz timer frequency, and an auto-reload value of 9999 sets the overflow to 1 second.

3. Enable Timer Interrupt: Enable the update interrupt to trigger when the timer overflows.

4. Configure Interrupts: Set the interrupt priority and enable it so the microcontroller knows to respond to the timer interrupt.

5. Start the Timer: Start the timer and let it begin counting.

6. Interrupt Service Function: In your interrupt function, clear the interrupt flag and perform tasks, like toggling an LED on a specific GPIO pin.

By following these steps, you can easily manage tasks like blinking an LED at regular intervals using timer interrupts.