To accelerate the introduction of new Bluetooth LE and 802.15.4-based IoT devices with a miniature, ready-to-use STM32 wireless microcontroller module.
The 7.0 x 11.3mm STM32WB5MMG module lets product teams build connected devices without needing wireless design skills. For low cost PCB technology requiring a minimal number of layers, it integrates everything up to the antenna. Users can also leverage the tools, design wizards, radio stacks, and turnkey software libraries of ST’s STM32Cube MCU development ecosystem, available free of charge, to complete the project quickly and efficiently, says STMicroelectronics.
The company’s first STM32-based wireless module simplifies technical challenges. It “extends exciting opportunities for smart connected devices,” said Ricardo de Sa Earp, group vice president, Microcontroller Division general manager, STMicroelectronics.
He describes it as a “complete ready-to-use subsystem in a single package, the STM32WB5MMG assures excellent radio performance out of the box and comes as a certified solution according to Bluetooth, Zigbee, and OpenThread specifications.”
The module supports ST’s concurrent dual protocol mode that lets any protocol based on IEEE 802.15.4 radio technology, including Zigbee 3.0 and OpenThread, connect the user directly to any Bluetooth Low Energy device.
The module addresses opportunities for smart home, smart building, and smart factory equipment. Users can leverage the microcontroller’s dual core architecture that separates radio and application-level processing for unimpeded performance, large memories for radio and application code and data storage, and cybersecurity.
The STM32WB5MMG can create a simplified, low-cost PCB leveraging the module’s optimized pin-out and take advantage of existing STM32WB55 microcontroller firmware libraries and tool chain. ST has created a dedicated application note as extra guidance for module users.
The module integrates a miniature antenna properly matched to the receiver circuitry, built-in switched mode power supply (SMPS) circuitry, and frequency-control components. With support for crystal-less USB Full-Speed connectivity, the module lets users minimise bill of materials costs as well as simplifying the hardware design.
Cyber protection includes secured software updates including over the air (OTA) for brand protection and device integrity, customer key storage and proprietary code readout protection (PCROP) to protect developers’ IP and public key authentication (PKA) support for cryptographic protection of code and connections.
By combining high RF performance with low power consumption, the module ensures reliable connectivity with extended battery life, adds STMicroelectronics.
The STM32WB5MMG is available now.
