STMicroelectronics' High-Performance Multiprotocol Bluetooth® and 802.15.4 SoCs Enable Next-Generation IoT Device Development

To assist in the development of next-generation smart interconnect products, such as digital home products, wearable devices, smart lighting, smart sensors, and the world's leading semiconductor supplier across multiple electronic applications STMicroelectronics (ST, New York Stock Exchange) The stock code: STM) introduced a dual-core wireless communications chip that supports new features and higher performance, providing longer battery life and a better end-user experience.

The new STM32WB wireless communications system chip (SoC) incorporates a feature-rich Arm® Cortex®-M4 microcontroller and an Arm Cortex-M0+ core processor. The Arm® Cortex®-M4 microcontroller is used to run the main application software; the Arm Cortex-M0+ core is used to relieve the main processor load and perform low-power Bluetooth (BLE) 5 and IEEE 802.15.4 RF real-time processing tasks. RF controllers can also run other wireless communication protocols simultaneously, including OpenThread, ZigBee®, or proprietary communication protocols, providing more connection options for devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT).

Today, only a handful of vendors have the capability to provide dual-processor wireless communications chips. Dual-core wireless chips separate, independently manage user applications and RF processing for optimal processing performance, and integrate large-capacity memory, while other solutions typically use entry-level Arm Cortex-M industry standard cores, which limits the performance of the architecture and Expanding capabilities.

The system chip also integrates the basic circuitry (balun) required to connect the antenna. In other solutions, engineers usually must design the balun themselves; also integrate large-capacity system memory, user memory, hardware encryption, and customer key memory ( For branding and intellectual property protection).

Michel Buffa, vice president and general manager of microcontroller products at STMicroelectronics, said: “Now, end users need better and cheaper smart connected products. To help developers meet these demanding requirements, the STM32WB series offers advanced integration. With its uncompromising dual-core performance, the STM32-compatible development ecosystem also offers design advantages that significantly reduce time to market for new products such as lamps, fitness trackers, medical monitors, Beacon devices, tags, and security devices. ”

In the first quarter of 2018, STM32WB 100-pin WLCSP packaged engineering samples will be provided to major customers.

Relevant Diodes STM32 series products

Author：Brittany Antonia （The author of article owns the copyright.）