ST STM32L1 Series Installation and operating instructions

June 2013 DocID018933 Rev 2 1/18
AN3413
Application note
STM32L1x current consumption measurement
and touch sensing demonstration firmware
Introduction
This application note provides an overview of the demonstration firmware delivered with the
STM32L-DISCOVERY and 32L152CDISCOVERY evaluation boards. It allows you to
explore the rich set of power saving modes available in the STM32L1x microcontroller and
use the STM32L1xx DISCOVERY embedded IDD measurement circuit to demonstrate the
real capabilities of the Ultra low power microcontroller STM32L1x.
The demonstration application does not require any additional hardware. Once the
STM32L1xx DISCOVERY is powered-up through a USB cable connected to the host PC,
the application is ready to display the STM32L1x power consumption of each low-power
mode selected by the user.
In addition the demonstration firmware allows you to explore the touch sensing capabilities
of the STM32L1x microcontroller demonstrated by sensing the linear touch sensor or the set
of four touchkeys.
Reference documents
The current consumption measurement and touch sensing demonstration firmware is
included in the STSW-STM32072 STM32L1 discovery firmware package available from
http://www.st.com.
•STM32L1 discovery kits: STM32L-DISCOVERY and 32L152CDISCOVERY (UM1079)
•Getting started with software development toolchains for the STM32L-DISCOVERY and
32L152CDISCOVERY board (UM1451)
The above documents are available at http://www.st.com.
Table 1 lists the microcontrollers, evaluation tools and software concerned by this
application note.
Table 1. Applicable products, evaluation tools and software
Type Part numbers
Microcontrollers STM32L1 Series
Evaluation tools STM32L-DISCOVERY, 32L152CDISCOVERY
MCU software STSW-STM32072
www.st.com

Contents AN3413
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Contents
1 Application description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1 Used hardware components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 STM32L1xx DISCOVERY hardware settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Application schematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Application principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4.2 IDD measurement principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.5 Getting started with the application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.5.1 Demo mode - Touch sensing demonstration and IDD measurement . . . . 6
1.5.2 Bias current record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.5.3 Manufacturing test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.6 Low power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2 Software description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.1 STM32L1x peripherals used by the application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.2 STM32L1x standard firmware library configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2.3 Application software flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2.3.1 Main application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3.2 Demo mode (IDD measurement) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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1 Application description
STM32L1xx DISCOVERY stands either for STM32L-DISCOVERY or 32L152CDISCOVERY
evaluation kit throughout the document.
1.1 Used hardware components
This application example uses the hardware components available on STM32L1xx
DISCOVERY; on-board LEDs (green LD3 and blue LD4), the 6-digit/4-bar LCD glass
display, the user push-button and touch sense slider. No additional components are
required.
1.2 STM32L1xx DISCOVERY hardware settings
The IDD jumper JP1 must be placed in position ON for standard operation (except for bias
current record operation, see Section 1.5.2).
Both jumpers on CN3 must be fitted to allow communication of STM32L15x with ST-Link
debugging tool thru SWD interface.
Note: All solder bridges must be in the default state as described in UM1079.
1.3 Application schematics
Figure 1 shows the simplified application electrical schematics.

Application description AN3413
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Figure 1. Application schematics
1.4 Application principle
1.4.1 Overview
STM32L1xx DISCOVERY includes specific analog and logic hardware that is connected to
STM32L152 microcontroller and which is intended to measure and display the supply IDD
current when the device is placed in different power consumption modes such as:
•Run mode
•Sleep mode
•Low power run mode
•Low power sleep mode
•Stop mode with operating RTC
•Stop mode without RTC
•Standby mode
The user reads the value displayed on the STM32L1xx DISCOVERY’s LCD panel, to know
how much power the device is currently consuming.
With this demonstration, you can obtain an overview of low power modes and supply current
requirements for each low power mode available on STM32L152.
C25
PA 0
R39
330 Ȱ
R40
Blue
Green
PB7
PB6
LD3
LD4
User push-button
100 nF
LCD controller
STM32L152RBT6
or STM32L152RCT6
LCDCOM[3:0]
LCDSEG[23:0]
LCD
R38
10 k Ȱ
VDD
BAR
0
1
2
3
IDD measurement circuitry
PA4 PA0 PC13
PB0..1, PC4..5,
PA6..7
Touch sensing
linear sensor
660 Ȱ
MS19810V2

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The firmware associated with this application note also provides a demonstration of the
touch sensing functionality available on STM32L1xx DISCOVERY. The touch sensing
electrodes can be configured either as a linear touch sensor to perform linear sensing of
finger position displayed as a percentage on the LCD, or, it can be configured as a group of
four independent touchkeys.
It also includes a manufacturing test mode for performing a quick diagnosis of the
STM32L1xx DISCOVERY related to this application example. See Section 1.5.3:
Manufacturing test for details regarding the test activation and for an explanation of the
different test modes.
1.4.2 IDD measurement principle
The STM32L1xx DISCOVERY IDD measurement circuitry consists of measuring the high
side shunt voltage value V at the terminals of a high precision serial resistor (1%) inserted
between the +3V3 power supply and the VDD pin of the MCU. Depending on the device
power modes, the application uses R or [2000 + 2] x R as the equivalent resistor value by
closing or opening K1. In Run mode, the current is in the range of mA, K1 is closed, and the
equivalent resistor is R. In low power modes, the current is in the µA range, K1 is opened,
and the equivalent resistance is 2002 x R.
Figure 2. IDD measurement equivalent circuitry
This resistor is connected between the differential inputs of a high-side current sense
operational amplifier (A) with a fixed gain that amplifies the voltage (V) present on the
resistors. A sample and hold stage is placed at the operational amplifier output and is then
MS19811V1
A
2R
2k
+3V3
VDD
STM32L15x
GND
+3 V3
Q14 Q13
EN
Counter
PC13
PA 0
LP wake-up
PA 4
IDD meas
Gain = 50
C
K1
K2
VS
1%
1%
IDD

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connected to an analog input of the MCU (PA4 IDD Measurement) that finally converts the
resulting voltage, image of the consumption current.
In low power modes only, a counter enabled by STM32L15x (PC13 pin) manages the
measurement timing while the microcontroller is idle. The microcontroller is woken-up after
a 150 ms delay when the rising edge is triggered on a wake-up pin (PA0) controlled by the
K2 switch.
While the microcontroller is in one of the power saving modes, a capacitor (C) is charged
with the voltage amplified by the operational amplifier. The microcontroller can later sample
(during its wake-up phase - 50 ms) the value of capacitor voltage proportional to the current
consumption of MCU in low power mode. Switch S is opened at device start-up in order to
keep the charge collected in capacitor (C) intact while the microcontroller is in low power
mode.
The current measurement precision is enhanced by taking into account the current bias of
high-side current operational amplifier. When JP1 is placed in OFF position (IDD
measurement circuitry disabled), a special test invoked by the user at device start-up
measures this current value and stores it in the non-volatile memory. Once this value is
stored in the device, it is deducted from the next IDD measurement to compensate errors
due to I bias current (see Section 1.5.2: Bias current record).
For additional information related to the IDD measurement feature, please refer to
section 4.7, Built-in IDD measurement circuit of the STM32L1 discovery kits: STM32L-
DISCOVERY and 32L152CDISCOVERY user manual (UM1079).
1.5 Getting started with the application
This STM32L1xx DISCOVERY example application has 3 application modes that can be
run:
•Demo mode (touch sensor, IDD measurement)
•Bias current record
•Manufacturing test
Demo mode is available at application power-up while the two others are invoked by the
user using a specific procedure that is described in detail later in this chapter. However, for
best performance, it is recommended to measure and record the bias current before starting
evaluation of low power mode IDD current.
1.5.1 Demo mode - Touch sensing demonstration and IDD measurement
Once the application is powered-up via the USB cable (or by external power supply), it starts
displaying a welcome message and then, after a few seconds, the value of the VDD voltage
applied to the STM32L1x device.
LD3 (green LED) and LD4 (blue LED) blink alternately. As soon as IDD consumption values
are displayed, both LEDs are turned off.
The User push-button allows you to change the functions as described in the state diagram
in Figure 3.
The first step is a demonstration of the linear touch sensor function followed by a touchkey
demo activated by pressing the user button.

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When the used push button is pressed again, the power consumption measurement
functions are launched. These functions consist of configuring the device for each low
power consumption mode and then measuring and displaying the result on the LCD panel.
Figure 3. Function Change state diagram
BAR0 to BAR3 are used by the application to indicate ongoing measurements as shown in
Table 1.
In order to save power during the IDD measurement in Stop mode without LCD, the LCD is
switched off. Once the measurement is performed the LCD is switched on to display the
power consumption value.
Table 1. Bars and LCD display linked to functions
Function Bars
VDD / Linear sensor / Touch buttons
Run mode / Sleep mode
MS19812V1
reset
START
RUN
SLEEP
IDD
VDD
meas
LPRUN
LPSLEEP
IDD
TOUCH
LINEAR
SENSOR
STOP
IDD
STANDBY
IDD
User button
pressed
TOUCHKEYS

Application description AN3413
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1.5.2 Bias current record
This operation consists of storing the bias current value of operational amplifier A (see
Figure 2) in the data memory. The bias current value is taken into account for low power
measurements in order to minimize measurement errors. Once recorded, this value is kept
in non-volatile memory for later use. It is recommended to perform this operation when you
start your evaluation in order to obtain the best precision.
This mode is only accessible at application power-up by executing the following steps in the
order below:
1. Switch OFF STM32L1xx DISCOVERY
2. Place JP1 in OFF position (IDD measurement disabled)
3. Keep USER push-button pressed while powering ON the STM32L1xx DISCOVERY
4. At power on, a scrolling message “Bias Current” is displayed
5. Release the USER push-button; the bias current value is displayed and immediately
stored in non-volatile memory
Once this operation completed, replace JP1 in ON position so that the measurement
circuitry is connected again to the STM32L152 (IDD measurement enabled).
1.5.3 Manufacturing test
You can access this mode while Demo mode is running, by pressing the USER push-button
for more than 3 seconds and by releasing it. This allows you to verify that the hardware
modules needed by the STM32L1xx DISCOVERY for this example are working properly.
In this mode, application checks the LSE oscillator (Low Speed External), VDD voltage
value, IDD RUN, OA bias and LP (low power) IDD currents. The currents are tested for lower
and upper limits. For each test function, the application displays “OK” and the measured
values when available. If all checks are successfully completed, then the message “TEST
OK” is continuously displayed. If one of the tests fails, then the application alerts the user by
continuously displaying the test name followed by “NO OK”.
To exit this manufacturing test, press the RESET button.
Note: Generally, if the manufacturing test is not successful, first check that JP1 is placed in the ON
position and that all solder bridges are in default position. If errors are found in the Low
Low power run / Low power sleep
STOP / STOP without LCD
STANDBY mode
Table 1. Bars and LCD display linked to functions (continued)
Function Bars

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power and Halt modes IDD measurements, the bias current record operation should be
performed again.
1.6 Low power modes
The low power modes used in this application are listed below. The microcontroller can be
woken up from any power saving mode by an external wake-up event generated by counter
U3.
•Sleep mode: The CPU is stopped, the peripherals kept running. The system is clocked
by the MSI oscillator at a frequency of 4 MHz.
•Low power run mode: The CPU and some of the peripherals are running. During Low
power run mode, the code is executed from RAM and the CPU is clocked at a
frequency of 32 kHz by the MSI oscillator. Flash and data EEPROM are stopped and
the voltage regulator is configured in Ultra low power mode.
•Low power sleep mode: The CPU is stopped. The system clock frequency is reduced
to 32 kHz. Flash and Data EEPROM are in power down mode and the voltage
regulator is configured in Ultra low power mode.
•Stop mode: The Core is in Deepsleep mode, Flash, Data EEPROM and all clocks
except LSE are in power down mode. All peripherals except the LCD are disabled. The
voltage regulator is in low power mode.
•Stop mode without LCD: This is the same as Stop mode except that the LCD
controller is also disabled in this case.
•Standby mode: This is the deepest low power mode. The voltage regulator is
disabled. Core, peripherals, RAM, Flash and Data EEPROM are powered off. Power is
maintained for the RTC registers, backup registers and standby circuitry. Device wake-
up is done by an external wake-up event, generating a system reset.
For further information, please refer to STM32L15x reference manual (RM0038) where you
can find more details about all the available configurations for each STM32L15x low power
mode.

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2 Software description
2.1 STM32L1x peripherals used by the application
This application example uses the following STM32L1x peripherals with the settings
described below:
ADC
ADC performs analog-to-digital conversions of the internal reference voltage (VDD voltage
display) and of the voltage coming from the operational amplifier that is the image of IDD
current.
•ADC resolution: 12-bit
•ADC conversion mode: single
•ADC sampling time: 192 cycles
SYSTICK Timer
The Systick timer is used to generate the delay needed for display or wait loops.
GPIOs
Port C and Port E are connected to the USER push-button and the LEDs.
•PB1 set as an input floating pin with interrupt connected to the USER push-button
•PB7 (green LD3) and PB6 (blue LD4) set as an output push-pull
•PA0 set as a wake-up pin configured either as an input floating pin with interrupt with
detection on rising edge or as an alternate function AFIO0 (WKUP1) during Standby
mode.
•PA6, PA7, PC4, PC5, PB0, PB1 are used for linear touch sensor or touchkeys during
the touch sensor demonstration.
•During the low power modes, I/Os are placed in analog input mode to reduce power
consumption except for a few pins related to the hardware interface (PB7 - green LD3
PB6 - blue LD4, PA4 - IDD measurement pin, PA0 - LP WakeUp pin and PC13 - IDD
timer enable). This means that all Schmitt triggers on unused standard I/O pins are
disabled to reduce power consumption.
LCD controller
The different functions available in the firmware library for LCD are used to initialize, clear,
display strings and scrolling messages needed in the application code. For some low power
mode measurements, the LCD controller is turned OFF to minimize the current consumption
of the STM32L152.
Clock
The MSI (the multi speed internal oscillator) oscillator is selected as clock source. The
application manages the peripheral clocks depending on the selected power saving mode.
When the device enters low power run mode, MSI is switched to range 0 until the device is
woken-up by an external event. When exiting Low power run mode, the MCU switches the
HSI oscillator back ON. LSE is switched ON during Manufacturing test mode (see
Section 1.5.3) to check its functionality.