STMicro Goes Concurrent with Multi-Protocol BLE, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter STM32WBA55, -54 Chips
Joining the STM32WBA52 chips, the new STM32WBA55 and STM32WBA54 support simultaneous connectivity to multiple network types.
STMicroelectronics has announced the impending launch of new STM32 parts, the STM32WBA5 range — offering concurrent connectivity to Bluetooth 5.4 Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, Thread, and Matter networks, alongside an Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller core.
"Lead customers are already appreciating the enhanced wireless performance, flexibility, and security of our latest STM32WBA wireless microcontrollers. They are creating diverse products including smart thermostats, tracking devices, smart chargers, headsets, power tools, and smart meters," claims STMicro's Benoit Rodrigues, general manager for the wireless microcontroller arm. "The extensive software ecosystem that provides communication stacks, microcontroller-specific software packs, sample code, and tools helps developers bring new products to market based on these MCUs [Microcontroller Units] quickly and efficiently."
The STM32WBA54 and flagship STM32WBA55, STMicro says, are the first in the market to achieve Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms (SESIP) Level 3 certification — allowing them to qualify for the US Cyber Trust Mark, unveiled back in July last year as a means of communicating to end users that a given Internet of Things (IoT) product is built with security in mind.
The heart of the STM32WBA5 range is an Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller core running at up to 100MHz, along with 1MB of flash memory, 128kB of static RAM (SRAM), and support for the Arm TrustZone security isolation architecture. To this, STMicro has added a 2.4GHz radio — its first to offer up to +10dB power control to applications, the company says. The radio supports Bluetooth 5.4 Low Energy (BLE) and LE Audio, Zigbee Release 22 and Release 23, Thread, and Matter.
The company has already named two design wins for the part: Abeeway is using STM32WBA5 for next-generation multi-mode asset tracking hardware, while Performance Designed Products (PDP) will be using them in a what chief technical officer Tom Roberts describes as "a new, groundbreaking game controller."
Pricing on the parts is not yet available, with STMicro planning to release the STM32WBA54 and STM32WBA55 in general availability on 12 March; a ready-to-use module, which includes power supply and antenna-balancing circuitry, will follow in June, the company has confirmed. More information is available on the STMicro website.