coaST is a modern hardware platform designed by Dr. Hammond Pearce and Dr. Hasindu Gamaarachchi. It is a modular design used for teaching embedded systems and is built around the powerful STM32 chip. 

coaST equips students with relevant, industry-standard tools for designing and prototyping embedded systems. The platform includes peripherals like a motor, screen, and infrared receiver, making it versatile for various real-world applications. It also features an expansion port for future adaptability and student customization. 

Useful links:

• Lecture recording on how the PCB fabrication can be done: https://youtu.be/K1xiYf_g0aE

• STM32 ARM and Dev Board Resources in DESN2000-24T2: https://webcms3.cse.unsw.edu.au/DESN2000/24T2/resources/98743

• JLCPCB (where we did the PCB fabrication): https://jlcpcb.com/

We provide 4 files which implement the coaST PCB. These two files are what are needed to make the PCB itself, and then everything can be obtained and hand-soldered if wanted.

• The schematic gives all information about the PCB and connections.

• The .zip contains the gerbers suitable for manufacturing by JLCPCB.

If you want to use the PCBA service (i.e. get JLCPCB to solder on the resistors and such, instead of you hand-soldering everything, you can also use the following two files:

• The coaST_apr_2024_jlcpcb.csv contains a BOM (Bill of Materials) suitable for uploading to JLCPCB PCBA service (it has all the parts e.g. resistors and capacitors that we had soldered by JLCPCB for us).

• The coaST_apr_2024_pos.csv then contains the positions of each of the parts in the BOM suitable for the PCBA service so that JLCPCB knows where to put each part. 

• You will still need to hand-solder a number of the connectors!

NUCLEO-F303RE board

• Potential places to buy from: DigiKey / Mouser / RS / Element14

• Approximate price: ~$20

Power adaptor

• Potential place to buy from: Auselectronicsdirect

• Approximate price: ~$15

• Notes: An adaptor with 5V DC ~2A output. Plug should be 2.1mm inner diameter and 5.5mm outer diameter.

Micro USB cable

• Potential place to buy from: Mwave

• Approximate price: ~$2

• Notes: Type A Male to Mini B Male USB 2.0.

5.5x2.1mm jack

• Potential place to buy from: DigiKey

• Approximate price: ~$2

• Notes: Power Barrel Connector Jack 2.10mm inner diameter, 5.50mm outer diameter. Through Hole, Right Angle.

4x4 keypad

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$4

• Notes: Remember to pick 4x4 keypad (not the default 3x4).

LCD

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$2

• Notes: Remember to pick the "LCD1602 Blue" (not the default IIC version).

Stepper Motor

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$3

• Notes: Remember to pick the 5V one. Model: 28BYJ-48.

Screwdriver set

• Potential places to buy from: eBay / AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$15

M2 12mm pillars

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$3 (for 10) 

• Notes: Select M2, 12mm. For LCD. Only 4.

M2 screws

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$3 (for 100)

• Notes: M2 20mm. For LCD. Only 4.

M2 nuts

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$2 (for 50)

• Notes: ~10 for LCD.

M2 10mm pillars

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$3.70 (for 20)

• Notes: Select M2, 10mm. For keypad. Only 4.

M1.6 screws

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress 

• Approximate price: ~$2.50 (for 50)

• For keypad. Only 4 needed

• Notes: Select M1.6, 20mm

M1.6 nuts

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress 

• Approximate price: ~$3 (for 200)

• For keypad. ~10 needed.

• Notes: Select M1.6

M3 pillars

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$4 (for 30)

• Notes: M3 (Thread 6mm), 8mm. For the board feet and spacer for the motor. Need only 6.

M3 bolt

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$1 (for 20)

• Notes: M3 6mm. For M3 pillars. Need only 6.

2x19-pin header socket

• Potential places to buy from: AliExpress / AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$4.70 (for 10)

• Notes: Select 2x19Pin. Pitch 2.54mm. For the NUCLEO board. Need just 2.

1x16-pin header socket

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$14 (for 40)

• Notes: Select 1x16P. 2.54mm Pitch, 8.5mm Height, Female Insert. For LCD. Need just one.

1x4-pin header socket

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$5.40 (for 50)

• Notes: Select 4-pin. For the QWICC port. 2.54mm Pitch. Need just one.

Breakable header pins

• Potential place to buy from: AliExpress

• Approximate price: ~$3 (for 10)

• Notes: Male 2.54mm Breakable Pin Header. For keypad and LCD. A couple of breakable pin strips should be enough.

Box

• Potential place to buy from: Packqueen

• Approximate price: ~$5