STMicroelectronics reveals high-performance, state-of-the-art wireless microcontrollers ready for incoming cyber-protection regulations
- STMicroelectronics introduces next-gen short-range wireless microcontrollers for wearables and smart objects.
- The STM32WBA5 series enables miniaturization, ease of use, security, and affordability for smart devices.
- The new microcontrollers support Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter standards concurrently.
- ST's STM32WBA55 microcontroller can communicate using multiple wireless standards simultaneously.
- The STM32WBA5 series is the first wireless MCU to achieve SESIP Level 3 security certification.
- The new microcontrollers support Bluetooth LE Audio specifications, enabling innovative audio products.
- ST's STM32WBA5 products are set to comply with US Cyber Trust Mark and EU Radio Equipment Directive regulations.
- ST will release a module containing the STM32WBA in June 2024, integrating necessary external components.
- The new wireless MCUs feature Arm Cortex-M33 core, up to 1MB Flash memory, low power consumption, and adjustable RF output power.
- The STM32WBA series supports Zigbee Release 22 and 23 standards, enhancing security and reliability.
- The MCUs also support LE Audio for optimized audio quality and power consumption.
- ST provides a comprehensive ecosystem for the new wireless microcontrollers, including software packages, evaluation kits, and online support.
- None.
Insights
The introduction of STMicroelectronics' new STM32WBA5 product line represents a significant advancement in the semiconductor industry, particularly in the realm of smart devices and IoT. The integration of multiple wireless technologies and adherence to the latest security standards is a strategic move, considering the growing demand for interconnected and secure devices in the industrial, medical and consumer sectors. The ability of these microcontrollers to support concurrent wireless standards and the SESIP Level 3 security certification places STMicroelectronics in a favorable position to capitalize on the upcoming regulatory changes in the US and EU.
From a market perspective, the STM32WBA5 series' potential to reduce the bill of materials and shorten time to market for manufacturers is likely to enhance its appeal, potentially increasing STMicroelectronics' market share. Additionally, the backward compatibility with the STM32 ecosystem simplifies the transition for existing products, which could lead to a quicker adoption rate. The focus on ultra-low power consumption and performance aligns with the industry's shift towards energy-efficient and high-performance solutions, which could further drive demand.
STMicroelectronics' announcement is poised to have a financial ripple effect on its business operations, given the broad applicability of these wireless microcontrollers across multiple high-growth industries. The STM32WBA5 series addresses a critical market need for cyber-protected, high-performance wireless components, which is likely to translate into strong sales performance, especially as regulations tighten around IoT device security.
The company's early compliance with the upcoming US Cyber Trust Mark and EU RED regulations may provide a competitive advantage, potentially leading to partnerships or bulk orders from companies seeking to future-proof their products. Investors should monitor the adoption rate post-release and any strategic partnerships that may arise as a result of this launch. The emphasis on enhanced performance and security, coupled with cost-efficiency, positions STMicroelectronics to potentially increase its revenue streams and improve its market positioning against competitors.
With the STM32WBA5 series being the first wireless MCU to achieve SESIP Level 3 security certification, STMicroelectronics is setting a new industry benchmark for IoT cybersecurity. This certification is critical as it signifies that the microcontrollers are designed to protect against sophisticated attacks, which is increasingly important in the context of rising cyber threats targeting IoT devices. The certification may instill greater confidence among customers and end-users regarding the security of their smart devices.
For businesses, the integration of this advanced level of security into their products can mitigate the risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks, potentially saving costs associated with security incidents. Furthermore, the readiness of these microcontrollers for impending cybersecurity regulations could streamline the compliance process for device manufacturers, avoiding potential legal and financial repercussions associated with non-compliance.
STMicroelectronics reveals high-performance, state-of-the-art wireless microcontrollers ready for incoming cyber-protection regulations
Highly integrated chips support multiple wireless technologies and latest security standards, perfectly addressing requirements for smart industrial, medical, and consumer devices
Geneva, Switzerland, March 5, 2024 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has revealed the next generation of its short-range wireless microcontrollers. These innovative, all-in-one components enable wearables and smart objects including smart home devices, health monitors, and smart appliances to become ever more miniaturized, easy to use, secure and affordable.
Short-range wireless technologies like Bluetooth® LE, Zigbee® and Thread (popular in smart meters and smart buildings) are the fabric connecting smart devices to home bridges, gateways, and controllers including smartphones. As we all seek solutions for making life more economical, sustainable, and comfortable, vendors are looking to bring creative and high-performing new solutions to market more quickly, within tight cost constraints. They need to be stylish, too: tiny, low-profile, or even embedded out of sight in other equipment, such as in smart bulbs. Going wireless is a part of this trend, for freedom, flexibility, and fashion.
Wireless microcontrollers like ST’s new STM32WBA5 product line allow a one-chip solution that’s extremely compact, reduces the bill of materials, and shortens the time to market by relieving wireless design challenges. Also, being compatible with the development tools and software packs of the STM32 microcontroller development ecosystem, the new line simplifies migrating existing products designed for wired connections.
The new series’ flagship STM32WBA55 microcontroller can communicate using multiple wireless standards concurrently, including low-energy Bluetooth LE 5.4, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter (Thread RCP). Matter border router is a perfect match with the STM32WBA5 for this new open-source connectivity standard for smart-home and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. In this way, the STM32WBA55 supports a great user experience while simplifying hardware and software engineers’ development journey, aiding affordability and time to market for the new product.
With this new generation, ST has also introduced support for the recently completed Bluetooth LE Audio specifications that enable exciting and innovative new products for richer listening and hearing experiences. These include the new Bluetooth Auracast™ feature, which opens the door to a new world of audio broadcasting applications.
“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,” said Benoit Rodrigues, Wireless MCU Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “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 quickly and efficiently.”
The STM32WBA series is the first wireless MCU in the market to achieve the important SESIP (Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms) Level 3 security certification. With this, smart devices containing STM32WBA microcontrollers are ready to satisfy the US Cyber Trust Mark and EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) regulations due to become mandatory in 2025.
“We work with smart asset tracking devices which are connected through Bluetooth to mobiles and through mobile apps to the cloud, enabling us to deliver complete asset tracking management for our customers. ST’s microcontrollers bring wireless connectivity to our multi-mode trackers,” said Olivier Hersent, CEO, Abeeway (Actility Group). “We have selected the new wireless connectivity product, STM32WBA5, for its enhanced performance with ultra-low power radio capabilities, which is key for our battery powered devices. They ensure stable connectivity in the harsh industrial environment where we operate, combined with security that meets the highest industry standards.”
“We believe that gaming peripherals should be as unique and accessible as the gaming community itself,” said Tom Roberts, CTO, Performance Designed Products (PDP). “ST and PDP have worked together through several Video Game generations, and we have used STM8 and STM32 devices for many years. ST products consistently provide the features we need in our highly competitive market segment. We recently selected ST’s short-range wireless connectivity product, the STM32WBA5, based on the integrated MCU and Bluetooth low-energy technology, as the right solution for a new, groundbreaking game controller. The STM32WBA offered us an ideal combination of performance, peripherals, cost efficiency and ecosystem support that enabled simple and fast development.”
The new STM32WBA5 product line will be available on st.com on March 12. Sample requests and pricing information are available from local ST sales offices. ST will introduce a ready-to-use module containing the STM32WBA, integrated with necessary external components including power-supply and antenna-balancing circuitry, in June 2024.
Technical Notes to Editors:
The new wireless microcontrollers (MCUs) introduced today, the STM32WBA54 and STM32WBA55, contain a 100MHz Arm® Cortex®-M33 core that brings latest-generation performance and Arm TrustZone architecture isolating secure processes and storage. With up to 1MB of Flash memory, they provide generous code and data storage. They also have inherently low power consumption, incorporating background autonomous mode, flexible power-saving states, and analog and digital peripherals proven in ST’s STM32U5 ultra-low-power MCUs.
ST’s latest 2.4GHz radio, integrated alongside the MCU, is the first to let the application control the RF output power. The adjustment range allows up to +10dB to ensure reliable wireless connections even in difficult operating conditions.
The new wireless MCUs also support the latest Zigbee standards including Release 22 and Release 23, which significantly extends the Zigbee core stack for greater security, reliability, and usability.
By supporting LE Audio, designed for the Bluetooth Low Energy radio, the STM32WBA series enhances flexibility to optimize audio quality and power consumption. Moreover, the latest use cases coming with LE Audio expand opportunities to create imaginative new products leveraging capabilities such as broadcast and multicast audio.
The new MCUs are fully supported in the STM32 ecosystem, with dedicated software packages and tools for configuring the hardware and testing the wireless performance, as well as evaluation kits and rich online support. These include wireless protocol stacks and code examples, prototype boards and expansion cards, a developer’s wiki, and more online including ST’s STM32 github repository and the STM32 developer community.
For more information, please go to www.st.com/stm32wba
* STM32 is a registered and/or unregistered trademark of STMicroelectronics International NV or its affiliates in the EU and/or elsewhere. In particular, STM32 is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.
About STMicroelectronics
At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.
For Press Information Contact:
Alexis Breton
Corporate External Communications
Tel: +33.6.59.16.79.08
alexis.breton@st.com
Attachments
- P4611S -- Mar 5 2024 -- STM32WBA5 MCUs_FINAL FOR PUBLICATION
- P4611S -- Mar 5 2024 -- STM32WBA5 MCUs_IMAGE
FAQ
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