ST Wireless Series (STM32WB & STM32WL)

The STM32Wx MCUs bring wireless connectivity to the STM32 MCU portfolio. They cover Sub-GHz as well as 2.4 GHz frequency range operation. They are easy to use, reliable and perfectly tailored for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. 

STM32Wx solutions are compatible with multiple protocols, from point-to-point & mesh to wide-area networks with outstanding low-current consumptions and built-in security features. STM32Wx wireless MCUs feature a two-in-one, dual-core architecture built around an MCU and a radio transceiver, in one deeply integrated and highly cost-efficient System-on-Chip. STM32Wx solutions are thus a perfect match between real-time and/or highly power-efficient applications. 

The STM32Wx platform is the ideal fit for RF designers looking for more than just a radio device. 

The STM32Wx portfolio includes two series, featuring different radio protocols: the STM32WB and the STM32WL.

STM32WB

Bluetooth Low Energy

Bluetooth Low Energy RF transceiver comes with certified Bluetooth™ LE 5.2 radio stack, profiles from the Bluetooth SIG, Mesh profile-compliant V1.0 Bluetooth SIG release.A host controller interface (HCI) for Bluetooth Low Energy solutions including the Zephir or Arm Cordio stack and a BLE LLD for proprietary protocols are supported to address various integration needs.

IEEE 802.15.4 standards, Zigbee, Thread

The generic IEEE 802.15.4 MAC layer ensures the STM32WB can run proprietary protocols or full stacks, including Zigbee PRO 2017 and low-power OpenThread Mesh networking protocols, giving designers even more options for connecting devices to the Internet of Things (IoT). Different certified configurations are available to provide more freedom in terms of device sizing and OTA capability, to enable platform optimization.

STM32WB MCUs can also run Bluetooth LE 5.2 with 802.15.4 wireless protocols, Zigbee and OpenThread protocols in concurrent modes (Bluetooth LE and Zigbee or Bluetooth LE and OpenThread) for more convenient device management during installation, and configuration once deployed. This concurrent feature significantly increases the ease-of-use and overall user experience of these combined technologies.

Key features

The innovative architecture of STM32WB MCUs is based on two totally independent cores, optimized for real-time execution (radio-related software processing) and enables flexible resource use as well as power management for a lower BOM cost and a better user experience.

Developed with the same technology as our ultra-low power  STM32L4 microcontrollers, the STM32WB MCU series provides the same digital and analog peripherals suitable for applications requiring an extended battery life and complex functionalities.

STM32WBx5 wireless microcontrollers, available in multiple packages and different memory sizes provide users with enhanced performance and flexibility to address different levels of complexity The STM32WBx0 Value Line focuses on the essentials and offers a feature-optimized, cost-effective solution for developers

The STM32WBxM line of modules offers the same feature set as the STM32WBx5 line.  he modules integrate the full reference design in a small form factor, centric around a package of the same line, and offer a wide certification coverage

System peripherals

The STM32WBx5 line includes a wide variety of communication features including a practical crystal-less USB 2.0 FS interface, audio support, an LCD driver, touch sensing, up to 72 GPIOs, an integrated SMPS for power consumption optimization, and multiple low-power modes to maximize battery life

The STM32WBx0 Value Line enables entry level solution, features essential peripherals set with a reduced temperature range

The STM32WBxM module offers the same features as the STM32WBx5 MCUs and is fully certified for all protocols and EMC compliance for major geographical markets. The module’s adjustable pinout configuration provides manufacturers with flexibility in their design, since they can choose to use the basic feature set to lower the manufacturing costs of entry-level devices, or the full pinout for high-end devices

This product portfolio complements the STM32 ecosystem and provides full flexibility from product definition, to the prototyping phase up to the final platform definition.

Long-range wireless STM32WL microcontrollers

Complementing the STM32 RF connectivity portfolio, the STM32WL System-On-Chip integrates both a general purpose microcontroller and a sub-GHz radio on the same chip.

Built on Arm® Cortex®‐M4 and Cortex®-M0+ cores (single- and dual-core architectures available), STM32WL microcontrollers support multiple modulations– LoRa®, (G)FSK, (G)MSK, BPSK – to ensure flexibility in wireless applications with LoRaWAN®, Sigfox, W-MBUS or any other suitable protocol in a fully open way.

STM32WL microcontrollers feature a sub-GHz radio based-on Semtech SX126x to meet the requirements of a wide range of Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) wireless applications in industrial and consumer Internet-of-Things (IoT).

Thanks to a deep integration, the innovative and open architecture is optimized for LoRaWAN® legacy, Sigfox, proprietary protocols, flexible resource use, power management and helps lower BOM cost while offering a better user experience.

Developed using the same technology as the one implemented in our ultra-low-power STM32L4 microcontrollers, the STM32WL series provides similar digital and analog peripherals for basic or complex application use cases requiring an extended battery life and a long RF range through its sub-GHz transceiver.

To ensure worldwide compatibility, the STM32WL MCUs feature a dual power output and a wide linear frequency range fitting any unlicensed RF spectrum need.

Overall, the STM32WL series is the STM32 family’s pioneer in sub-GHz wireless connectivity, offering ease-of-use and reliability, while being perfectly tailored for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications.

Wireless connectivity

STM32WL microcontrollers comply with the physical layer requirements of the LoRaWAN® specification released by the LoRa Alliance®. Available LoRa®, (G)FSK, (G)MSK and BPSK modulations can also be used in legacy and proprietary protocols, such as Sigfox or W-MBUS for example.

The radio is suitable for systems targeting compliance with radio regulations including, but not limited to, ETSI EN 300 220, FCC CFR 47 Part 15, China regulatory requirements and the Japanese ARIB T-108. Continuous frequency coverage from 150 to 960 MHz enables the support of all major sub-GHz ISM bands around the world.

System peripherals

The STM32WLEx (M4 single-core) and STM32WL5x (M4 and M0+ dual-core) lines include a wide variety of communication features including up to 43 GPIOs, an integrated SMPS for power consumption optimization, multiple low-power modes to maximize battery life. A dual-power output and wide linear frequency range ensure worldwide compatibility.

Comparison between STM32WL55JC , STM32WB55CG