ST has announced the general availability of the STM32WL33 wireless MCUs, which integrate the latest-generation sub-GHz long-range radio and Arm® Cortex®-M0+ core. These MCUs are designed to simplify wireless solution designs, reduce time-to-market, and prolong battery life, making them ideal for various applications.
Key benefits for developers
Device-specific software and middleware:
- Access to STM32CubeWL3 software and middleware
- Support for development boards like NUCLEO-WL33CC1 (868/915 MHz) and NUCLEO-WL33CC2 (433 MHz)
Power efficiency and design:
- Ultra-low-power architecture: Optimizes wireless range, simplifies design, extends battery life
- LCSC flow-sensor controller: Optimizes water metering devices, operates with traditional meters, provides anti-tampering, extends battery life to over 15 years
- Receive-only wideband radio: Ultra-low-power (4.2 µA), listens for wake-up signals, negligible battery impact, supports drive-by reading and wake-on-service
Integrated features:
- Memories and peripherals: 256 Kbytes flash, 32 Kbytes SRAM, 16-segment LCD driver, 12-bit ADC, analog comparator, DAC, multiple timers, RTC
- Security: Secure-boot, secure firmware updates, 128-bit AES, RNG
- Frequency bands: Operates in 413-479 MHz, 826-958 MHz, and 169 MHz bands
- Power amplifiers: Selectable RF output power of +14 dBm or +20 dBm, compliant with global regulations
Radio capabilities:
- Multi-protocol support: 4-(G)FSK, 2-(G)FSK, (G)MSK, DBPSK, DSSS, ASK
- Radio sequencer: Automates radio operations, enhances efficiency
- Receive sensitivity: -132 dBm @300 bit/s 433 MHz OOK, -128 dBm @300 bit/s 868 MHz 2(G)FSK
- IQ interface: Custom modulation schemes, enhanced reception sensitivity, supports GNURadio. Supporting standard protocols like wM-Bus, Mioty, Wize, Sigfox, 6LowPAN, and Wi-SUN HAN, along with customizable proprietary options.
Application integration:
- Seamless integration with ST’s MEMS inertial and environmental sensors
- Leverages ML/AI algorithms and toolsets for applications requiring positional and contextual awareness
Applications: Smart utility meters, alarm systems, smart-building equipment, asset-tracking, proximity detection, smart cities, smart agriculture, forest-fire detection, water metering, leakage detection.
As an all-in-one SoC, the STM32WL33 series connects developers with the extensive STM32 ecosystem, including STM32CubeWL3 software, middleware, and development boards like NUCLEO-WL33CC1 for 868/915MHz and NUCLEO-WL33CC2 for 433MHz. Dedicated matched filters (MLPF-WL-01D3/02D3/04D3) optimize RF performance. Pre-certified reference designs (STDES-WL3xxxx) simplify RF design and cover various options, including frequency band, RF power, MCU package, and PCB configurations.
Enhanced development experience with the Wireless Studio Environment (WiSE):
WiSE, a graphical-UI based toolset, greatly boosts the learning curve and out-of-the-box experience. This includes the WiSE-RadioCodeGen, a code generator for RF-protocol automation that comes with the dedicated WL33 Radio Sequencer, and the WiSE-RadioExplorer. The explorer helps users make the most of the cutting-edge radio features and navigate the RF testing and certification process.
Pricing and availability:
The new STM32WL33 devices are competitively priced, starting from $2.03 for the STM32WL33K8V6 in a QFN32 package for orders of 10,000 pieces. The development boards, NUCLEO-WL33CC1 and NUCLEO-WL33CC2, are available now from the eSTore and ST distributors for $50.00 each.
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