Microcontrollers & Embedded Systems: Use Real STM32 Online

Name: Microcontrollers & Embedded Systems: Use Real STM32 Online
Rating: 4.5 (53 reviews)

Learn STM32 with real online hardware, Keil Studio and Mbed OS. No setup, no devices. Code in browser, test remotely.

Highest Rated

Created byLuis Rodríguez Gil, Pablo Orduña

Last updated 5/2025

English

What you'll learn

Program STM32 microcontrollers with MBED OS 6 (C++ API) using Keil Studio Cloud (online IDE).
Write and test code on real remote STM32 hardware from your browser.
Control LEDs, read buttons, and drive servo motors using PWM.
Debug your programs using serial communication.
Build hands-on skills without buying or setting up any hardware.
Apply your knowledge in realistic exercises and a final Smart Parking challenge using hybrid lab technology.
And much more.

Course content

7 sections • 18 lectures • 3h 48m total length

Welcome & What You Will Learn3:56
Setting Up the IDE: Keil Studio Cloud7:32
This lecture describes how to get started with Keil Studio Cloud.
To access Keil Studio Cloud go to: https://studio.keil.arm.com/
Accessing the Remote Hardware (STM32 microcontroller) with LabsLand14:29
This lecture is essential since this course is hands-on oriented, requiring access to real hardware for practice. In this section, you will find two important documents:
LabsLand Access Guide – This document explains how to get online access to real, pre-configured hardware through LabsLand. LabsLand enables you to interact with physical microcontrollers and peripherals via a real-time video stream, without the hassle of setup or wiring mistakes. Free access for a week is included with this course, and additional access can be purchased affordably.
Physical Lab Setup Guide – If you prefer to set up your own local lab, this document provides details on the necessary hardware components. However, this approach is more complex, costly, and not recommended, as it requires sourcing, wiring, and configuring everything manually.
For most students, LabsLand is the best option, ensuring a smooth learning experience with minimal setup effort. The final challenge of the course relies on LabsLand’s Hybrid Lab technology, which cannot be fully replicated in a local setup, so even if you build your own lab, we strongly recommend using LabsLand for that assignment. However, we do provide an alternative approach for local setups if needed.
Quick Knowledge Check
Verify Your Setup: Upload & Run Your First Program

Understanding GPIOs: Digital I/O, LEDs, and Buttons9:49
This lecture, which is mostly conceptual, focuses on the concepts behind GPIOs, digital inputs and outputs, and how microcontrollers interact with components like LEDs and buttons. You'll also learn about pull-up and pull-down resistors and what the potential button-bouncing issue is.
By the end, you will:
Understand GPIOs and their role in microcontrollers.
Understand LEDs as outputs.
Understand Buttons as inputs.
Using pull-up and pull-down resistors to stabilize input signals.
Understand button-bouncing issues.
This will prepare you for the more practical programming-oriented lessons that will follow.

Licensing Info and Optional Resources
Some diagrams (indicated) are from SparkFun (licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Some plots are from the Makeability Lab (licensed under the MIT license).
The optional in-depth tutorials related to these topics are linked in the resources.
Test Your Knowledge: GPIOs, Digital I/O, LEDs, Buttons
The Nucleo-WB55RG, Pinout, and Fritzing Diagrams14:34
In this lecture, you'll get familiar with the Nucleo-WB55RG board, the microcontroller platform we’ll use throughout this course. We’ll explore its capabilities, look at its pinout diagram, and understand how to read it. You'll also be introduced to the LabsLand remote lab setup, including its Fritzing diagram, which we’ll use for all practical activities and assignments.

By the end you will:
Understand the Nucleo-WB55RG’s features and layout.
Know what a pinout diagram is and how to interpret it.
Recognize the lab setup we’ll use and how to reference it in your projects.
Test Your Knowledge: LEDs and Buttons on the NUCLEO-WB55RG
Using DigitalIn and DigitalOut to Control LEDs and Buttons in Mbed10:23
This hands-on lecture will teach you how to configure GPIOs in MBED OS 6 to control LEDs and read button inputs on the Nucleo-WB55RG. You’ll learn how to use the DigitalOut API to turn LEDs on and off, and how to use DigitalIn with a pull-up resistor to detect button presses.
We’ll also work directly with the LabsLand remote lab, testing our programs in real-time, and use the Fritzing diagram as a reference to understand the hardware connections.

By the end of this lecture you will:
Configure GPIOs as digital inputs and outputs in Mbed OS 6.
Control LEDs using DigitalOut API.
Read button presses with the DigitalIn API and use a pull-up resistor.
Test everything on real hardware through LabsLand.
Learn to use the Fritzing diagram as a reference for your programs.
This is a practical lecture. Though not required, feel free to follow along as we code, and feel free to upload and test the programs in LabsLand.
Test Your Knowledge: Using DigitalIn and DigitalOut to Control LEDs and Buttons
Hands-On Challenge: Custom On Demand LED Sequence
Solution Walkthrough: Custom On Demand LED Sequence13:42
This lesson explains and walks through a standard solution to the “Custom On Demand LED Sequence” assignment. It is optional, and I recommend trying to complete the assignment on your own before watching the solution.

The Serial Terminal – Debugging & Printing Data20:56
This hands-on lecture presents what the Serial Terminal is and how you can use it in our microcontroller in Mbed. After the lecture, you will know:
What the Serial Terminal is and what it is used for.
Why it is useful for debugging and other purposes.
How to initialize the UnbufferedSerial class.
How to use C's printf() function to write human-readable text to the Serial Terminal.
Common caveats regarding the Serial Terminal.
How to use the UnbufferedSerial's lower-level write to send binary data.
Reading Analog Inputs (Potentiometers) with ADC17:46
Test Your Knowledge: Serial Terminal and Analog Inputs
Hands-On Challenge: Voltage Warning
Solution Walkthrough: Voltage Warning17:48
This lesson explains and walks through a standard solution to the "Voltage Warning" assignment. It is optional, and I recommend trying to complete the assignment on your own before watching the solution.

Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM)2:17
This lecture, which is mostly conceptual, focuses on the concepts Pulse-Width Modulation and how it is used to control things such as LED brightness or as a signal to control servo motors and other devices.
By the end, you will:
Understand PWM
Understand PWM's role to control the amount of power a component receives (such as a LED)
Understand how that can be leveraged for LED brightness control
Understand PWM use as a signal for Servo Control
This will prepare you for the more practical programming-oriented lessons that will follow.

Licensing Info and Optional Resources
Some diagrams (indicated) are from SparkFun (licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0).
The optional in-depth tutorials related to these topics are linked in the resources.
Test Your Knowledge: PWM
Using PWM In Practice for Brightness Control10:57

Introduction to Hybrid Labs: Combining Real Hardware with Virtual Environments4:56
Hands-On Final Challenge: Smart Parking System
Solution Walkthrough: Smart Parking System26:45
This lesson explains and walks through a solution to the "Smart Parking System" assignment. It is optional, and I recommend trying to complete the assignment on your own before watching the solution. This assignment is also more complicated than usual and its solution video is quite long and detailed, so feel free to skip sections.

Requirements

Basic programming experience in any language (C, Python, Java, etc.) is recommended.
No prior embedded systems or microcontroller knowledge required.
No hardware purchases needed, you will be given access to real hardware devices online.
A computer with an internet connection to access Keil Studio Cloud and LabsLand.

Description

Want to learn microcontrollers and embedded systems with real hands-on practice — but without buying any hardware? This course is for you.

You'll write C code and run it on real STM32 hardware online. Everything works directly in your browser. No setup. No devices to buy.

You'll use Keil Studio Cloud (a modern, browser-based IDE) to program real hardware — and see your code come to life through LabsLand’s online remote lab system. Watch LEDs blink, servo motors move, and sensors respond, all in real time.

What You'll Learn

Set up and use STM32 peripherals like GPIOs, PWM, and ADC
Control LEDs, buttons, servo motors, and read analog inputs
Use serial communication to debug and interact with your programs
Complete exercises and assignments using real online hardware — no simulations

Why This Course Is Unique

Real hardware online – Not a simulation. You control real microcontrollers remotely.
No hardware needed – Skip the cost and delay. Start immediately from any browser.
Hands-on and practical – Each concept is applied directly with real hardware exercises.
Beginner-friendly – If you know basic C, Python, or Java, you’re ready. No prior embedded experience needed.

By the End, You’ll Be Able To:

Program STM32 boards confidently
Use digital and analog I/O
Control devices with PWM
Debug embedded programs with serial output
Build and test a full smart parking system using real hardware

Perfect for:
Students, hobbyists, and professionals who want real microcontroller experience — without needing to set up a lab.

Enroll now and start programming real hardware online today!

Who this course is for:

Students, hobbyists, and engineers interested in microcontrollers and IoT.
Software developers curious about hardware programming and embedded systems.
Anyone who wants to learn microcontroller programming without buying hardware.
STEM educators looking for an accessible, hands-on learning tool for their students.

Microcontrollers & Embedded Systems: Use Real STM32 Online

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction3 lectures • 26min

Your First Hands-On Project: LEDs Control4 lectures • 48min

Debugging Tools & Analog Inputs3 lectures • 57min

PWM and Brightness2 lectures • 13min

Servos and Advanced Control3 lectures • 31min

Wireless Technologies and the Internet of Things1 lecture • 7min

Final Challenge: Smart Parking System2 lectures • 32min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: