“Free SW Tool TouchGFX Supports Advanced HMI Development”

HMI supporting wearable and home appliances, can be implemented using TouchGFX
STM32 QUEST GFX Challenge, “ Usability Feedback Reference Opportunity ”

[Editor's Note] TouchGFX is a software solution that enables the perfect implementation of GUI applications for STM32-based hardware. It is attracting attention as an optimized graphics solution that facilitates the development of graphic-related projects and allows the creation of advanced UIs even with limited hardware performance. STMicroelectronics (hereinafter referred to as ST) is also showing its intention to develop convenience and technology by opening a challenge utilizing TouchGFX as a promotional opportunity and reference for usability feedback. On the 22nd, our magazine met with ST Representative Alexandre Renoux at K-TEC, a tech conference held at the InterContinental Seoul COEX, and heard about TouchGFX.

▲ST Agent Alexandre Renoux

■ Please introduce TouchGFX

TouchGFX is a free software tool from ST that lets users easily develop advanced HMIs using only the small footprint of STM32 microcontrollers.

Since most of the code is generated, developers can reduce the time it takes to complete a project and also reduce development costs.

■ TouchGFX is an MCU-based GUI solution supported on various STM32 MCUs. Could you please explain the STM32 MCU portfolio?

Currently TouchGFX only supports STM32 MCUs, with Cortex-M0+, M4, M33, and M7 MCUs now officially supported.

Of course, the types of ARM cores supported will vary depending on market demand and the new MCU products that ST releases each year.

■ What applications is TouchGFX targeting?

TouchGFX and STM32 MCUs target all types of applications except automotive.

Therefore, any HMI that supports wearables, home appliances, industrial, medical, etc. can be implemented using TouchGFX.

■ What is the market response to TouchGFX?

Overall, market demand for graphics solutions such as TouchGFX is growing.

We also often receive requests to include TouchGFX in microprocessors such as the MP1 or MP2.

The market has always responded positively.

Users reported being impressed by what could be achieved in the HMI space with the ease of using microcontrollers.

We often encounter customers who misunderstand the concept of a graphic MCU solution using MPU + GPU.

We sometimes hear that in certain parts of the world, C++ is not well-proficient, making UI development more difficult.

ST strives to develop solutions that are as simple and robust as possible, but coding in C++ for custom behavior is still required.

■ What are the biggest differences and special features of TouchGFX?

Users cite TouchGFX's advantages as being user-friendly, free, and very powerful.

60fps can be achieved even on small microcontrollers by leveraging hardware accelerators available within the STM32 microcontroller.

TouchGFX is the only solution that allows you to implement graphics without licensing costs.

■ What development environment is required for TouchGFX to perform at its best?

To get the best performance from TouchGFX, you'll need a Windows computer with a relatively modern processor, at least 16GB of RAM, and an SSD for storage.

■ The latest version of TouchGFX is continuously updated. What are the most recently updated features?

Version 4.22 was released in June, and version 4.23 is scheduled to be released next month in December.

In these two versions, we focused on reducing flash memory requirements to enable customers to save costs on their end platforms.

ST introduced vector graphics such as SVG images, vector fonts, as well as lossless bitmap compression such as RLE and LZW9.

■ I heard that they held an STM32 QUEST GFX Challenge event based on Touch GFX

The STM32 Quest GFX Challenge has been running for several years and is divided into three challenges.

The first challenge aims to familiarize participants with the software, the second aims to understand the hardware interaction with the HMI, and the final challenge sees what participants can develop within a limited time.

■ What is the goal that ST wants to achieve through this event?

The overall goal of this GFX Challenge is to promote ST graphics solutions and get feedback on their usability.

This allows us to understand who is using TouchGFX, why they are having trouble with it, and where they are having trouble.

We anticipate that this event could also be used to introduce other technologies, and we aim to expand this event to other parts of Asia.

■ AllCould you briefly summarize the event?

I was amazed at how this year's winner came up with such an amazing project, a three-degree-of-freedom robotic arm.

A total of 150 people registered for the event and participated enthusiastically until the end, showing great interest in the event from users.