Bench Talk

STMicroelectronics STM32WL Nucleo-64 Board (NUCLEO-WL55JC) can be used to try new concepts and build prototypes for LoRa^® applications with the STM32WL series sub-GHz wireless microcontroller. (Source: STMicroelectronics)

The new STM32WL series wireless microcontrollers (MCUs) are a boost to long-range (LoRa^®) connectivity technology, a step toward solving the challenges that have slowed the widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. It also provides full support for SigFOX IoT solutions.

Now, STMicroelectronics is introducing the STM32WL Nucleo-64 development boards, evaluation tools that can directly test new IoT concepts and build prototypes using the STM32WL's diverse capabilities.

Built on the Arm^® Cortex^®-M4 core architecture, STM32WL is the world’s first wireless microcontroller to integrate a LoRa transceiver on its silicon die. Before, the industry had either discrete MCUs and transceivers or both components under the same package but on different integrated circuits.

STM32WL MCUs also support multiple modulations–LoRa, (G)FSK, (G)MSK, BPSK–to ensure flexibility in wireless applications with Low Power, Wide Area (LoRaWAN^®), SigFOX, and MBUS networking protocols.

STM32WL MCUs also open the door to original applications by enabling simpler, more flexible, integrated, and power-efficient designs. Developers can customize power output frequencies in the STM32WL series for specific regions, optimize their performance, and open their systems to other countries.

Using the STM32WL Nucleo-64 boards–the WL55JC1 and WL55JC2–developers can also test combinations of the STM32WL’s performance, power consumption, and features. The WL55JC1 is the high band version (865MHz to 928MHz) for U.S. and European markets. The WL55JC2 is the low band running at 433MHz to 510MHz for Asian markets.

The boards’ functionality can be expanded with ARDUINO^® Uno V3 connectivity support and ST morpho extension pin headers. They also can connect with USB with Micro-AB and MIPI^® debug connectors.

The 78-gram boards do not require any separate probes as they integrate the STLINK-V3E debugger and programmer. They include the STM32WL's comprehensive software HAL library and various packaged software examples available with the STM32CubeWL MCU package.

Only a single 32MHz high-speed crystal is needed to drive the MCU’s Cortex^®-M4 and sub-GHz transceiver, reducing bill of materials cost and simplifying PCB design.

STM32WL microcontrollers have diverse low-power wide-area network-based applications, including smart cities and buildings, logistics, Industrial IoT, smart agriculture, smart homes, and utilities.

The STM32WL Nucleo-64 development board represents an all-in-one tailored microcontroller with a sub-GHz wireless radio optimized for LoRaWAN^®, Sigfox, and other proprietary protocols for use in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. Developers can quickly prototype their next new ideas and create applications requiring ultra-low power, extended range, and better coverage and penetration capabilities for indoor applications while having better coexistence in the sub-GHz spectrum. This MCU wireless SoC has deep integration, open architecture, low BOM cost, onboard AES 256-bit encryption, unique device identifier compliant security, and STMicroelectronics’ longevity commitment support.