This page details how to compile, load, and run the N6Cam BSP.

Table of Contents

References

• https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32n6x7.html

• Documentation:

  • User-Manual (UM3249)

  • Reference Manual (RM0486)

  • Programming Manual (PM0273)

Overview

This page will walk you through:

• Requirements (hard/software)

• Compiling the BSP demo

• Loading & running the demo

Requirements

N6Cam

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Power

The N6Cam is powered through the USB-C connector on the IO board (3), providing a UVC stream.

Debug

The debug connector (2) provides a standard STDC14 interface to plug a debugger.

Boot Mode

The boot selector switch (1) selects the board's operating mode. Facing the N6Cam from the front (camera):

• Switch to the left: Development mode.

• Switch to the right: Operation mode.

Development Hardware

To debug and flash new firmware you’ll need either one of:

• 1 x STLink-V3 programmer

• 2 x STLink-V3MINIE programmer

Note:

• Both options include the STDC14-STDC14 flat cable used to program the N6Cam.

Development Software

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#

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Name (+Link)

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Version

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Notes

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1

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Python

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3.9+

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2

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STM32CubeIDE

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1.17.0

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3

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STM32CubeN6

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1.0.0

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CubeIDE extension package

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4

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STM32CubeProg

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2.18.0

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Required for firmware signing

Note:

• STM32 tools must be included on the system PATH:

  • STM32CubeIDE.
    By default: C:\ST\STM32CubeIDE_1.17.0

  • STM32CubeProgrammer.
    By default: C:\Program Files\STMicroelectronics\STM32Cube\STM32CubeProgrammer\bin 

Compiling the demo

Prepare environment

1. Open a terminal in the sources root folder

2. Create a virtual environment for development:

   Code Block
   language bash
   python -m venv .venv

3. Activate the environment:

   1. Linux:

      Code Block
      language bash
      . .venv/bin/activate

   2. Windows:

      Code Block
      language bash
      .venv\Scripts\activate.bat

4. Install the module requirements:

   Code Block
   language bash
   python -m pip install -U pip setuptools wheel -r requirements.txt

Compile using scripts

1. Open a terminal in the sources root folder

2. Activate the Python environment as shown in https://siana-systems.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/N6Cam/pages/edit-v2/3919970305#Prepare-environment

3. Build the binaries running:

   Code Block
   language bash
   inv release-binaries

4. The binaries should be available now in: <ROOT>\RELEASE\SIANA.N6Cam.BSP-Binaries-<VERSION>\Binaries

Compile using IDE

1. Open STM32CubeIDE

2. Go to File > Import...

   Image Removed

   1. Select General > Existing Projects into Workspace

   2. Click Next.

3. Find and import the projects:

   Image Removed

   1. Click Select root directory

   2. Browse for <ROOT>\N6Cam.BSP\STM32CubeIDE

   3. Select all projects (FSBL, and Standalone)

   4. Click Finish

4. Once loaded, your project should look like this:

   Image Removed

5. Build both FSBL and Standalone using the Release profile

6. The generated binaries can be located at <ROOT>\N6Cam.BSP\STM32CubeIDE. Specifically:

   1. FSBL: FSBL\Release\Siana.N6Cam.BSP.FSBL.signed.hex

   2. Standalone: Standalone\Release\Siana.N6Cam.BSP.Standalone.signed.hex

Loading & running the demo

With the N6Cam unpowered and STLink unplugged from your host machine.

1. Set the N6Cam switch to development mode

2. Plug the STDC14-STDC14 flat cable to connect the STLink and the N6Cam

3. Plug the N6Cam and the STLink to your host machine

4. Open the STM32CubeProgrammer (if closed):

   1. Configure the external loader:

      Image Removed

      1. (1) Go to the “external loaders” tab

      2. (2) Search for STM32N6

      3. (3) Select the MX66UW1G45G loader

   2. Connect to the device:

      Image Removed

      1. (1) Select ST-Link from the dropdown menu

      2. (2) Configure the device as shown: Hot plug mode, with Software reset, for access port 1

      3. (3) Connect

   3. Flash the firmware:

      Image Removed

      1. (1) Go to the “erase & programming” tab

      2. (2) Browse for the images to be flashed, to be either:

         1. From script build: All are located in <ROOT>\RELEASE\SIANA.N6Cam.BSP-Binaries-<VERSION>\Binaries

            1. Model: SIANA.N6Cam.BSP-Standalone-<VERSION>_AI.Model_PeopleDetect.hex

            2. FSBL: SIANA.N6Cam.BSP-FSBL-<VERSION>.hex

            3. Standalone: SIANA.N6Cam.BSP-Standalone-<VERSION>.hex

         2. From IDE build:

            1. Model: <ROOT>\N6Cam.BSP\Model\network_data.hex

            2. FSBL: <ROOT>\N6Cam.BSP\STM32CubeIDE\FSBL\Release\Siana.N6Cam.BSP.FSBL.signed.hex

            3. Standalone: <ROOT>\N6Cam.BSP\STM32CubeIDE\Standalone\Release\Siana.N6Cam.BSP.Standalone.signed.hex

5. Disconnect both the N6Cam and the STLink

6. Set the N6Cam to operation mode

7. Connect the N6Cam to the host machine

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Overview

Welcome to the EDGE AI Sensing Kit firmware development guide! This resource is your gateway to unlocking the full potential of your EDGE AI Sensing kit, enabling rapid integration of custom edge-AI applications. Whether you're building a prototype or preparing for production deployment, these Getting Started pages will guide you step-by-step through the initial setup of the toolchain to leverage the provided Board Support Package (BSP).

The BSP serves as the foundational project, integrating essential peripheral drivers, ThreadX RTOS, camera pipeline management, and AI processing capabilities. Use it to bootstrap your project and accelerate your development workflow.

Since the kit is available in two variants: USB-only and WiFi-enabled. The BSP includes dedicated projects for each configuration, allowing you to switch between setups while sharing a common codebase.

Table of contents