STM32WL : A Masterclass in Chip Design

STM32WL : Sole LoRa-enabled SoC in the world

At the end of 2020, STMicroelectronics hit the market with the latest version of its STM32WL System-On-Chip (SoC). In it, all the internal technical structure meaning the radio part, MCU, CPU, peripherals, etc. are embedded on the same silicon die, which makes this chip what we call a System-On-Chip. So, ST is the first company in the world that hits the market with such a product!

A Long Range Wireless microcontroller : one die, many IOT possibilities

Based on Arm??Cortex?‐M4 and Cortex?-M0+ cores both running at 48 MHz, and a sub-GHz radio based-on Semtech SX126x, STM32WL5x microcontrollers are an open platform supporting LoRa?, (G)FSK, (G)MSK and BPSK modulations. ((Source : ST.com + Interviews Benjamin GUILLOUD (ST) product line Marketing Manager))

4 modulations, many protocols

The sub-gigahertz transceiver of the STM32WL is compatible with LoRa, (G)FSK, (G)MSK, and BPSK modulation schemes. It’s easy to underestimate the scope of this feature. However, it means the STM32WL can run both a LoRaWAN stack, through LoRa modulation, and a Sigfox stack thanks to its support of Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK). Companies no longer have to choose between one or the other. (( Source : https://blog.st.com/stm32wl/))

The STM32WL is worldwide compatible

STM32WL is worldwide compatible for several reasons. First of all, there's a linear frequency range from 100 megahertz up to 960 megahertz. So, you can target whatever geographic area that you want in the world. It is 868 in India and Europe, 915 in America, 923 in Asia, 470 in China; all of this are addressable with WL. Also, you need to take into account the power aspect, because the maximum level of power that can be used depends on the region as well. For this, we have a dual power output. One power output can go up to 22 dBm and in such cases, these can be used in America or China. There's also another power output that can go up to 15 dBm. In that case, search for output can be used in Europe. The main difference between the two power outputs is that one is more efficient in terms of power consumption but both of them are programmable from 0 to 22 dBm, or from 0 to 15 dBm for the second power output. This makes STM32WL worldwide compatible. ==> Supporting all these modulations thus adds to the flexibility and international appeal of the STM32WL.(( Source : Interviews Benjamin GUILLOUD (ST) product line Marketing Manager ))

STM32WL is the best choice?for designers

8?Keys that makes the difference :? ( ST.com)

Security & ID

There is secure hardware isolation in between the two cores ARM Cortex-M4 and ARM Cortex-M0, which leads to six levels of security, so much more flexibility in terms of secure implementation and there are other advanced security features what we call secure key management services, where users can benefit from flash memory area which is dedicated to the storage of objects or keys or any other objects, like protocol keys, for example, can be managed securely. You can deactivate new keys; you can securely move your object in the center inside the memory. We can think of other advanced features such as a secure firmware installer or secure firmware update. It allows the companies to update or install the firmware for the first time from non-trusted manufacturing sites without any issue. It is very useful in the manufacturing context and provides double the hardware security features, such as AES hardware encryption through random number generators, etc. So, this latest version of STM32WL dual-core comes with advanced security features and much more flexibility for the users.” (( Source : Interviews Benjamin GUILLOUD (ST) product line Marketing Manager ))

Example of projetcs with the STM32WL

-- Hello world : Interface a PIR sensor with an STM32WL

Youtube link : https://youtu.be/nG5aT67dJaw

Github link : Interface-a-PIR-sensor-with-an-STM32-Disco-board

-- Sending data to a network server

Github Link Sending-SCD30-sensor-data-to-a-network-server-via-LoRaWAN-protocol-

-- Interface an STM32WL board with the X_NUCLEO_IKS01A2 MEMS sensors

Github link : STM32WL-and-X_NUCLEO_IKS01A2-data-display

** Ons ZERAI : Final year ICT engineering student at ENIT **