A Modular Framework for High-Performance Graphical Interfaces on STM32 Microcontrollers
Keywords:
STM32, embedded systems, graphical user interface, light and versatile embedded graphics library (LVGL), common microcontroller software interface standard (CMSIS), free real-time operating system (FreeRTOS), configuration framework, performance optimizationAbstract
This paper presents a modular framework for STM32 microcontrollers designed for high-performance graphical user interfaces. The proposed framework combines direct low-level hardware access with a structured, template-based configuration approach in modern C++, aiming to reduce the overhead commonly associated with universal abstraction layers while preserving architectural clarity and type safety. The framework architecture is organized into two layers: a low-level hardware interaction layer based on standardized microcontroller interfaces, and a higher-level declarative configuration layer that simplifies peripheral setup and system integration. This design enables predictable behavior, improved resource efficiency, and adaptability across different STM32 microcontroller families. The performance of the proposed solution was evaluated on a representative STM32 development platform using a widely adopted embedded graphics library. Experimental results demonstrate a substantial improvement in rendering efficiency and memory utilization compared to a reference implementation, while maintaining stable graphical output under varying workloads. In addition, the framework supports flexible rendering pipelines, predefined peripheral configurations, and integration with a real-time operating system for multitasking graphical applications. The obtained results indicate that the proposed approach provides an efficient and specialized alternative to general-purpose embedded frameworks for resource-constrained graphical systems.
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