My NEW course: STM32 on Registers

Straight to the point: the long-awaited course on programming STM32 on registers is finally coming! Oh, how often many of my readers and course participants themselves have asked about it 😅 After months of work, I’m ready to announce its launch.

When? The first lessons will appear in October 2024 🥳

So if you program STM32 using HAL and want to go further (or rather: deeper), this course will be for you! You’re probably wondering how it differs from my previous materials? Get ready for a unique journey through the secrets of STM32 microcontrollers!

What is the STM32 on registers course?

An extension of the existing YouTube materials

You may know my YouTube video series where we discussed STM32 from the C0 family, programming them at the register level. This series, although valuable, was only an introduction to the topic. Now it’s time for something bigger! In the new course, we’ll focus on a much deeper understanding of peripherals and their interconnections.

If you don’t know these videos yet, I invite you to the playlist below 👇

Why registers instead of HAL?

Differences between HAL and registers

You’re probably wondering why it’s worth abandoning HAL, which speeds up application deployment, in favor of working directly with the microcontroller registers. The answer is simple – optimization.

HAL, although it has many advantages, is often not efficient enough where every clock cycle matters. An example could be the desire to maximize the battery life of devices.

Benefits of register-level programming

1. A thorough understanding of how the microcontroller works – working with registers forces a full analysis of the documentation, which translates into a better understanding of how STM32 works.
2. Value on the job market – knowledge of register-level programming is a valuable skill that will set you apart on the job market. Many companies still rely on direct programming without using HAL.
3. Appreciating HAL – when you learn low-level programming, you’ll quickly notice how much work HAL saves. This will make you more aware of your programming choices.

Main course topics

Peripheral interconnections and DMA

The most important part of the course will be learning how to effectively use connections between peripherals, especially using DMA. Thanks to DMA, we can significantly relieve the CPU by handing simpler tasks (like data transfer) over to automatic mechanisms. This way we get rid of a large part of the CPU’s workload, and it can do something much more suited to it.

Practical uses of registers

Although HAL is fast and convenient, working with registers gives full control over how devices operate. You’ll learn how to squeeze maximum performance out of STM32, especially where real-time operation matters. We’ll get rid of the excessive overhead that HAL introduces.

Is the STM32 on registers course for you?

If you’re interested in programming microcontrollers at a higher level, this course is for you! You don’t have to give up HAL, but if you want to understand how STM32 works from the ground up, optimize code, and build more efficient applications, it’s worth learning how to work with registers.

In my opinion, there’s no such thing as only HAL or only registers. For years I’ve been repeating that the most important thing is adapting to the project and requirements. Where you can – use HAL. Where you need performance – CMSIS. Mix freely.

What’s next?

How to join the course?

On the stm32narejestrach.pl website you’ll find a form that will let you join the waiting list. The course will launch in October 2024, but if you sign up now, you’ll get access to a special presale offer that will never happen again. The course content is delivered in Polish.

Course price and dates

The exact course price will be announced soon. The curriculum is still being refined, but joining the waiting list is the best way not to miss the most important information and to get access to the course on the best terms. The course content is delivered in Polish.

Number of interested people vs. course launch

I’m making the course launch conditional on a sufficient number of people being interested and ready to join the course. I don’t want to do something just for the sake of doing it. It has to be mutually beneficial, meaning both for me and for you. Sign up for the waiting list so I can see that it’s worth getting started. The course content is delivered in Polish.

Summary

The new STM32 on Registers course is a unique opportunity to learn advanced STM32 microcontroller programming. Thanks to combining theory with practice and a detailed discussion of the topics, participants will not only deepen their knowledge, but also gain skills that will set them apart on the job market. I’ll see you in October! The course content is delivered in Polish.