IoT

ST’ new integrated wireless MCUs combine extra features and performance with power efficiency

Tue, Mar 04, 2025

ST has announced the next generation of its STM32 power-efficient short-range wireless microcontrollers (MCUs) that simplify connecting consumer and industrial devices to the IoT.

The new STM32WBA6 series is used in connected, smart devices like wearable healthcare and wellness monitors, animal collars, electronic locks, remote weather sensors, and more. Packing extra memory and digital system interfaces, while preserving energy efficiency the new MCUs can handle richer functionality in emerging new product designs.

The STM32WBA6 MCUs also embed SESIP3 and PSA Level3 certifiable security assets, such as cryptographic accelerators, TrustZone isolation, random generator, and product lifecycle that will contribute and enable ST customers to reach compliancy towards the upcoming RED and CRA regulations.

“Robust and standardised wireless connectivity is central to the IoT’s success. Our new STM32WBA6 MCUs bring richer features and larger memory to address high-end applications in smart home, health, factory, and agriculture,” said Patrick Aidoune, General-Purpose MCU Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “Our customers can now increase the pace of development to meet demands from consumer and industrial markets for new products that deliver more features and increased capabilities within reduced size and power constraints.”

The wireless subsystem in the new STM32WBA6 microcontrollers supports Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, Matter, and other protocols operating in the 2.4GHz frequency band, and allows communication using multiple protocols concurrently. It’s how a system like a smart-home bridge can communicate with the homeowner’s mobile app over Bluetooth and simultaneously manage lights or thermostats through mesh networking such as Zigbee. The STM32WBA6 series also contains single-protocol variants for simpler and more cost-conscious applications.

https://www.st.com

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u-blox introduces PointPerfect Live bringing network RTK to high-precision GNSS applications

Tue, Mar 04, 2025

u-blox has announced the launch of PointPerfect Live, a next-generation network RTK correction service designed to provide centimetre-level positioning. With instant access to high-precision corrections, customers in surveying, construction, mining, and agriculture can maximize productivity, reduce costly errors, and streamline workflows.

PointPerfect Live builds upon the capabilities of the u-blox PointPerfect service, delivering real-time positioning capabilities in the centimetre-level range, which are crucial for high-value market segments such as surveying, construction, mining and agriculture.

PointPerfect Live is designed to address the growing demand for GNSS correction services that achieve the highest precision within seconds, thereby enhancing productivity. Built upon proven RTK technology, it ensures real-time accuracy within 1-2 centimetres, even in challenging environments. The solution leverages a dense network of reference stations to provide seamless corrections in local data formats, eliminating the need for complex transformations and reducing operational overhead.

“The launch of PointPerfect Live marks a major milestone in our mission to deliver best-in-class positioning solutions,” said, Franco de Lorenzo Head of Product at u-blox’s Services business unit, “The extension of the PointPerfect line of correction services enables our customers to work faster, reduce errors, and optimise their workflows across industries that rely on high-precision GNSS — from surveying and construction to mining and agriculture.”

https://www.u-blox.com

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Sfera Labs expands Strato Pi Max capabilities with new industrial I/O expansion boards

Tue, Mar 04, 2025

Sfera Labs has announced the release of two new expansion boards for its Strato Pi Max modular industrial controller, the industrial analog inputs X2-Series expansion board (X2BI10XAIZ) and the industrial analog outputs X2-Series expansion board (X2BI10XAOZ).

The Strato Pi Max is not just a robust, DIN-rail-mounted industrial edge server—it’s a modular powerhouse designed for demanding environments. By combining the processing capabilities of the Raspberry Pi Compute 4 or 5 and the RP2040 microcontroller with industrial-grade reliability, Strato Pi Max is ideal for a wide range of applications in industrial automation, IoT, and edge computing.

These boards seamlessly integrate with the Strato Pi Max, broadening its capabilities and enabling users to tailor the system precisely to their control application needs.

The X2BI10XAIZ expansion board provides four 4-20mA and four 0-10V, galvanically isolated, highly accurate inputs to connect standard industrial probes, as well as two additional inputs specific for PT100 and PT1000 temperature sensors. The analog signals are converted by the 24-bit AD4112 ADC, which provides for high accuracy and resolution. The board also features a 5V auxiliary power output and two digital I/O lines compatible with protocols like 1-Wire, Wiegand, and I²C.

This board is designed for monitoring and controlling industrial processes, such as temperature sensing in manufacturing, current and voltage monitoring in energy management systems, and data acquisition in IoT applications.

The X2BI10XAOZ expansion board offers four analog outputs, configurable as either 0-10V voltage or 0-20mA current drivers. It also includes two digital I/O lines and a 5V auxiliary power output, making it a versatile solution for controlling industrial actuators, valves, and other analog devices.

The X2BI10XAOZ is ideal for controlling actuators, valves, motors, and other industrial equipment requiring analog signals. It can be used in various applications, including process control, building automation, test and measurements setup and robotics.

https://www.sferalabs.cc

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Infineon sensor technology enables integration of industry-first 5-axis robot arm

Fri, Feb 28, 2025

Infineon provides sensor technology to Roborock for its state-of-the-art Saros Z70 robotic vacuum. The standout feature of the smart robot is its industry-first 5-axis robot arm that can move obstacles out of its way and clean in areas that were previously blocked. This innovation is made possible by the small form factor of Infineon’s REAL3 Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology. Unveiled at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, today, Roborock launched the new Saros series in Germany.

Infineon’s REAL3 Time-of-Flight, jointly developed with pmdtechnologies, enables a next level of navigation and object recognition of robot cleaners with best-in-class performance and space efficiency. The technology is 100 times smaller compared to conventional laser distance scanner freeing up space for the integration of the retractable robot arm while maintaining a sleek and slim design, marking a significant advancement in the robotics industry. Furthermore, the integration of an additional Time-of-Flight camera from Infineon guarantees the precise and smooth operation of the robot arm, significantly enhancing the capabilities of the Saros Z70. For customers, this translates into increased benefits when using the robotic vacuum for home cleaning, as the robot arm can now move blocking objects and clean areas that used to be inaccessible.

“It’s a major breakthrough that Roborock, a market leader for robot vacuum cleaners, has recognised the full potential of Infineon’s sensor technology and transformed it into an innovative product that consumers have never seen before”, said Andreas Kopetz, Vice President of Ambient Sensing at Infineon. “The collaboration is a great example for Infineon reinforcing its position as a leading player in the field of sensors and its goal to make life easier, safer, and greener. Together with customers and partners.”

Enabling the industry-first 5-axis robot arm for a robot vacuum underlines Infineon’s ambitions to further strengthen the competitiveness and go-to-market approach in the area of sensors. To accelerate innovation and value to customers further, Infineon has combined its sensor and RF expertise in a new business unit (SURF, sensor unit and radio frequency) to drive the company’s growth in the sensors market. This strategic move will capitalise on the vast potential of the sensor and RF markets, projected to exceed 20 billion US-Dollars by 2027.

https://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/sensor/

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