Develop Real-Time Embedded Systems Using STM32, FreeRTOS, and STM32CubeIDE

Real-time operating systems (RTOS) are the backbone of many modern embedded applications—from automotive control units and aerospace instrumentation to laboratory test systems and consumer electronics. These systems demand consistent, deterministic behavior and the ability to respond to events within strict timing constraints—all without human intervention, often for years at a time.

This hands-on guide introduces you to the fundamentals of RTOS development and how to apply them using STM32 microcontrollers. You’ll start by learning what defines a real-time system and explore various design strategies, comparing RTOS with alternative approaches. The book then delves into essential RTOS concepts—tasks, scheduling, semaphores, mutexes, and queues—providing step-by-step guidance on how to implement and manage them effectively.

Using a practical development environment that includes the STM32F7 Nucleo board, STM32CubeIDE, and professional-grade SEGGER tools (J-Link, Ozone, and SystemView), you’ll learn how to build efficient, real-time embedded applications. Along the way, you'll gain valuable experience with low-level driver development, interrupt handling, inter-task communication, and performance analysis.

Advanced chapters take your knowledge further, covering topics such as memory management, hardware resource sharing, multicore/multiprocessor systems, and the creation of well-abstracted, loosely coupled software architectures. You'll also find practical tips for debugging, troubleshooting, and optimizing your designs to meet real-time requirements.

By the end of this book, you’ll be equipped with the skills and tools to confidently develop and deploy FreeRTOS-based embedded systems on STM32 platforms and beyond.

More information...

Key Features

• Gain a solid foundation in real-time operating systems (RTOS) and apply core concepts to STM32 microcontrollers

• Develop the skills to design, build, and debug robust embedded systems for real-world applications

• Master advanced techniques for task synchronization, peripheral sharing, and performance analysis

• Learn to use industry-standard tools like STM32CubeIDE, SEGGER J-Link, SystemView, and Ozone for professional development

• Build efficient, maintainable, and scalable embedded architectures using FreeRTOS

About the STM32 Microcontroller Platform
The STM32 family of microcontrollers, developed by STMicroelectronics, is one of the most widely adopted platforms in the embedded systems industry. Based on ARM Cortex-M cores ranging from the entry-level Cortex-M0 to the high-performance Cortex-M7 and Cortex-M33, STM32 MCUs offer an ideal blend of performance, power efficiency, and peripheral integration.

For this book, the STM32F7 series is used—specifically the STM32F7 Nucleo-144 development board, which features an ARM Cortex-M7 core running at 216 MHz, with 512 KB to 2 MB of Flash memory and up to 512 KB of SRAM. The Cortex-M7 core includes a single-precision FPU (floating-point unit) and DSP (digital signal processing) instructions, making it well-suited for demanding real-time tasks and complex control algorithms.

The STM32 platform is known for its:

• Extensive peripheral set: Includes multiple UARTs, SPI, I2C, ADCs, DACs, timers, and more

• Advanced low-power modes: Enabling efficient battery-powered designs

• Robust development ecosystem: Including STM32CubeMX for code generation, STM32CubeIDE for integrated development and debugging, and a broad range of middleware components and software stacks

• On-chip debugging support: Via standard SWD and JTAG interfaces, compatible with tools like SEGGER J-Link

STM32 microcontrollers are supported by FreeRTOS and are backed by a rich ecosystem of documentation, example projects, and third-party libraries. This makes them an excellent platform for learning RTOS development while gaining experience with a microcontroller family that scales easily from hobby projects to production-grade systems.

Whether you're developing a sensor node, a motor control application, or a connected IoT device, STM32 provides the hardware performance and software tools necessary for building reliable and scalable real-time embedded systems.

What You Will Learn

• Understand the benefits and limitations of using an RTOS in embedded systems

• Implement key RTOS components: tasks, queues, semaphores, and mutexes

• Choose the right microcontroller, development environment, and middleware for your project

• Leverage FreeRTOS features for preemptive multitasking and efficient resource management

• Develop and debug low-level drivers with real-time performance in mind

• Analyze CPU usage and task behavior using SEGGER SystemView and Ozone

• Apply design patterns for loose coupling and scalable architecture

• Explore RTOS memory management strategies and multiprocessor considerations

Who This Book Is For
This book is ideal for embedded engineers, electronics enthusiasts, and computer science students looking to deepen their understanding of real-time embedded programming. If you have a basic grasp of C programming and some experience with microcontrollers, this book will guide you through the practical and theoretical aspects of RTOS-based development—from foundational concepts to advanced implementation techniques.

Table of Contents

1. Introducing Real-Time Systems

2. Understanding RTOS Tasks

3. Task Signaling and Communication Mechanisms

4. Selecting the Right MCU

5. Selecting an IDE

6. Debugging Tools for Real-Time Systems

7. The FreeRTOS Scheduler

8. Protecting Data and Synchronizing Tasks

9. Intertask Communication

10. Drivers and ISRs

11. Sharing Hardware Peripherals across Tasks

12. Tips for Creating a Well-Abstracted Architecture

13. Creating Loose Coupling with Queues

14. Choosing an RTOS API

15. FreeRTOS Memory Management

16. Multi-Processor and Multi-Core Systems

17. Troubleshooting Tips and Next Steps

CAN FD Shield For STM32G431 NUCLEO-G431RB

The NUCLEO-G431RB is a high-performance, feature-rich development board based on the STM32G431RBT6 microcontroller from STMicroelectronics’ STM32G4 series. Powered by a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 core running at 170 MHz, it includes hardware floating-point and DSP extensions, making it well-suited for demanding real-time applications such as motor control, industrial automation, and advanced embedded communication.

Designed for flexibility and ease of use, the board follows the Arduino Uno R3 form factor, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of off-the-shelf shields—including those for CAN FD, sensor integration, and communication interfaces. Additionally, it provides ST morpho headers, granting full access to all microcontroller I/O pins for seamless expansion and custom hardware development.

The NUCLEO-G431RB supports both STM32CubeIDE and the Arduino development environment, offering a smooth workflow for developers at all levels. Whether you're rapidly prototyping or building production-grade embedded systems, this board delivers the processing power, connectivity, and ecosystem support needed for sophisticated real-time applications. More information...