How to make STM32 run on Linux？

Running an STM32 microcontroller on Linux doesn't mean running Linux on the STM32 (since most STM32 microcontrollers lack the hardware resources to run a full Linux OS). Instead, it usually means developing, flashing, and debugging STM32 firmware using a Linux-based operating system on your host machine. Below are the two scenarios clarified:

1. Developing STM32 Firmware on Linux (Host Development Environment)

You can set up a development environment on your Linux machine to write code for and program STM32 microcontrollers.

Step 1: Install Required Tools

• Toolchain: arm-none-eabi-gcc
• STM32CubeIDE or STM32CubeMX (STM's official tools)
• OpenOCD (for flashing and debugging)
• GNU Make or CMake

On Debian/Ubuntu:

Step 2: Install STM32CubeIDE

• Download from STMicroelectronics official website.
• Make it executable:

Step 3: Connect the STM32 Board

• Use an ST-Link USB debugger or other compatible programmer.
• Verify the device connection:

Step 4: Write and Build Firmware

• Use STM32CubeIDE to create a project, generate code, and build firmware.
• Or manually create a project and build using make.

Step 5: Flash Firmware

Using OpenOCD:

In another terminal:

From GDB:

2. Running Linux on STM32 (If Possible)

Some high-end STM32 microcontrollers (e.g., STM32MP1 series) are capable of running embedded Linux due to their MPU (Microprocessor Unit) cores.

Step 1: Choose a Supported STM32 Microcontroller

• STM32MP1 Series (e.g., STM32MP157)

Step 2: Download Yocto or Buildroot

These tools help build minimal Linux images for embedded devices.

• Yocto:
  https://www.yoctoproject.org/
• Buildroot:
  https://buildroot.org/

Step 3: Build a Linux Image

• Configure Yocto/Buildroot for STM32MP1.
• Build the Linux kernel and root filesystem.

Step 4: Flash the Image

Use tools like:

• STM32CubeProgrammer
• U-Boot Bootloader

Step 5: Boot Linux

• Connect via serial console (e.g., minicom):

• Verify the boot logs.

Summary

• For STM32 microcontrollers (e.g., STM32F4), you run firmware developed on a Linux host.
• For STM32MP1 series, you can run an actual Linux OS directly on the microcontroller.