by Janne Isotalo - published 2021-02-15

FIRMWARE

An article about the initial firmware upload procedure for your PROGUE synthesizer

Progue has an internal Midi to CV converter based on an STM32 microcontroller and a two-channel 16-bit DAC. If your device isn't pre-programmed (="PCB only" -version), you need to load up the firmware with a debugger like ST-LINK/V2 using the ST-LINK utility for PC. This procedure is only needed for the initial start-up and once it's done, the later firmware upgrades can be updated via MIDI Sysex. The PCB-A version is pre-programmed and ready to receive MIDI Sysex firmware updates.

PROGUE to ST-LINK/V2 connections

This guide uses the official ST-LINK/V2 debugger. You can use other STM32 compatible debugger device's with SWD (Serial Wire Debug) or 20-pin JTAG, but verify the correct pinout from the devices manual/datasheet.

To connect the debugger to your PROGUE, use headers J16 and J14 with six Female to Female jumper wires.

Follow these steps:

Connect the jumper wires between PROGUE and debugger according to the pinout diagram below.
USB cable between PC and debugger.
Power up the PROGUE and make sure that all the five PSU LEDs are lid.
Use the STM32 Utility to connect to PROGUE.

FUNCTION	ST-LINK/V2	PROGUE
+3.3V Pin	Pin-1 (VCC)	J14: Pin-2 (+3.3V)
Ground Pin	Pin-4 (GND)	J16: Pin-3 (GND)
Clock Pin	Pin-9 (SWCLK)	J16: Pin-2 (SWCLK)
Data Pin	Pin-7 (SWDIO)	J16: Pin-4 (SWDIO)
SWO Pin	Pin-13 (SWO)	J16: Pin-6 (SWO)
NRST Pin	Pin-15 (NRST)	J16: Pin-5 (NRST)

Using the STM32 Utility

Download the STM32 Utility. Download the latest PROGUE firmware from the product site. Connect the PROGUE to a PC with the debugger. Run the software and follow these steps:

Select: Target - Connect.
If the connection is succesful you will get a status: "Connected via SWD".
Select: Target - Program.
Select the firmware file (.bin) and press "Start".
You should get a status: "Memory programmed in x sec x min".
Select: Target - Disconnect.

Power off the PROGUE and disconnect the wires. That's it, the firmware procedure is done!

If you had problems with the software, check the screenshots below: