STMicroelectronics holds the global top spot in Microcontroller and Microprocessor supply, thanks to the STM32 family - a diverse portfolio spanning ultra-low-power microcontrollers to top-tier processors.
Furthermore, the STM32 wireless microcontroller series has seen substantial growth, offering solutions for short-range wireless needs, such as Bluetooth® Low Energy, Thread, Zigbee and Matter, while also extending its reach to cover long-distance applications like LoRa and Sigfox.
Deep diving into STM32WBA series
The latest addition to the STM32 wireless family, is the STM32WBA – a 32-bit Wireless Microcontroller, which delivers the high performance, efficiency, and security necessary for Bluetooth® Low Energy 5.3 enabled applications. Let's delve into the key advantages of the STM32WBA.
Arm® Cortex®-M33 core running at 100 MHz with TrustZone® technology
- +10dBm max output power
- Bluetooth LE 5.3, Mesh, up to 20 connections
- Zigbee 3.0, Zigbee Direct, SE, GP
- Thread : OT 1.3
- Concurrent mode BLE/ZB, BLE/OT, BLE/MAC
- MATTER RCP
- Proprietary 2.4GHz
- TX=4.2mA (0dBm) / RX = 3.5mA (3.0V SMPS)
- [-40; +105]°C full spec
Flash Memory Size / RAM size
Version 1: 1M /128 k | Version 2: 512k / 96k
Peripherals:
Touch sensor, LPDMA, ADC 12-bit, 3x UART, 2x SPI, 2x I²C
Discover the benefits of STM32WBA series:
- Increase battery life with the advertising extension for device communication
- Ensure fast and reliable data transfer
- Make efficient application processing based on 407 CoreMark score
- Protects your IP and increase privacy protection based on - SESIP3 device capability
- Fasten time-to market relying on market proven STM32Cube ecosystem
Security:
It’s important to highlight that the STM32WBA's architecture is fortified with cutting-edge security measures, validated by prestigious certifications such as SESIP 3 and PSA Certified Level 3, affirming its top-tier security standing.
It means, ST has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the newest security technology is embedded in the chip, such as memory protection, platform protection, cryptographic tools, and the Trust Zone, all working in concert to protect devices against cyber criminals.
For any questions related to PSA Certified, please contact Arrow’s Engineering Solution Center Team
Tech Snack: STM32U5 PSA certified development kits
Discover the STM32 family of microcontrollers & microprocessors
Applications
The STM32WBA wireless Microcontroller series is a smart choice for Medical, Home Automation and industrial applications.
The STM32WBA is a versatile multi-protocol MCU, covering several protocols such as Bluetooth® Low Energy and 802.15.4 - based Thread and Zigbee. In the future, STM32WBA will support Matter as well as Bluetooth® Low Energy Audio capabilities. In this section of the article, it will focus on two particularly features: Matter and Bluetooth® Audio. We will dive deeply into their primary applications and the advantages they offer.
Understanding STM32WBA unique protocols for your application: the LE Audio
Before exploring the advanced capabilities of Bluetooth® LE Audio and its potential applications, it’s important to understand how Bluetooth® has evolved in the past 20 years. According to ABI Research 2023, it’s forecasted a steady and rapid adoption of LE Audio in the coming years.
Mapping the Transition from Classic Audio to LE Audio
Source: LE Audio: The Future of Bluetooth® Audio / ABI Research
Bluetooth® Special Group (SIG) is the responsible group to oversee development of the specification, manages the qualification program, and protects the trademarks. Bluetooth® Classic Radio and as Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) are defined as follow:
Bluetooth® Classic radio:
Bluetooth® Classic, often known as Bluetooth®, is a wireless communication technology that operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and specializes in point-to-point communication, allowing devices to share data over short distances.
Bluetooth® Classic uses Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) for data transmission, ensuring reliable communication in noisy environments. The maximum achievable speed is 3 Mbps, subject to factors like device distance and interference.
In addition, Bluetooth® Classic has essential security features, such as exchanging authentication keys to ensure a reliable pairing between devices.
Bluetooth® Classic supports only point-to-point network structure (e.g., smartphone to headset)
Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE):
Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) - 2.4 GHz wireless communication technology - designed for short-range communication between devices. It is a power-efficient version of traditional Bluetooth® technology, as the configuration relies on the Generic Attribute Profile (GATT), a broad specification designed for transmitting and receiving brief data segments.
Unlike classic Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy is optimized for low energy consumption, making it well-suited for devices powered by small batteries and designed for long-term use. The technology enables efficient data transfer, making it a popular choice for connecting devices with limited power resources.
Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) supports various topologies or network configurations, allowing devices to communicate differently. In addition to traditional Point-to-Point (Master-Slave) topology and its variation “Star” (1 master, several slaves), BLE supports advanced topologies: Mesh, which allows to make massive and reliable networks, and Broadcasting which is extremely useful for audio and positioning applications.
Bluetooth® LE Audio
Bluetooth Audio encompasses the best features for both Bluetooth Low Energy radio and Classic Audio, enabling new features and the potential of new products and use cases. As complementary literature for this topic, please refer to “Introducing Bluetooth® LE Audio by Nick Hunn: A guide to the latest Bluetooth® specifications and how they will change the way we design and use audio and telephony products.”
Bluetooth® LE Audio is changing the game in wireless audio, thanks to its powerful LC3 codec. This technology brings stability, energy efficiency, and better audio experiences to a variety of devices. Let's break down the key features that make Bluetooth® LE Audio stand out.
LC3 Codec: Transforming Wireless Audio
At the core of Bluetooth® LE Audio is the LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec), a technology that overcomes the limitations of its predecessor, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE). LC3 operates with a variable bit rate and an efficient encoding system, significantly reducing energy consumption and ensuring optimal performance for devices with small batteries.
Bluetooth® LE Audio introduces three transmission methods to suit different needs:
- Point-to-Point: The classic method where one device sends audio data directly to another, such as a cellphone to a speaker.
- Multistream: This method allows a device to independently transmit audio to multiple devices simultaneously, like a cellphone streaming to each earpiece of a pair of headphones.
- Broadcast: A revolutionary feature that allows a device to broadcast audio to multiple devices at once, creating a communal listening experience.
Bluetooth® LE Audio is making waves in various industries, enhancing sound experiences across devices:
- Headphones: Enjoy longer battery life with efficient wireless headphones.
- IoT (Internet of Things): Powering smart speakers and wireless sound systems with a focus on energy efficiency.
- Wearables: Transmitting audio to smartwatches with sound output, enhancing on-the-go experiences.
- Hearing Aids: Improving accessibility for users with hearing restrictions by delivering high-quality audio alerts.
- Auracast Technology: Simultaneously sharing a single audio stream with multiple devices, like a cellphone sending music to two devices at once.
Bluetooth LE Audio comes with a range of benefits:
- Energy Efficiency: Lower power consumption for longer battery life.
- Multistream Capability: Stream audio independently to multiple devices at the same time.
- Low Latency: Minimal delay for a seamless and immersive experience.
- Interoperability: Swift switching between connected devices for seamless integration.
- Scalable Compression: LC3 adjusts audio compression based on connection quality, optimizing performance.
- Audio Quality: Elevates audio transmission quality for a superior listening experience.
- Hearing Assistance: Facilitates precise audio transmission to hearing aids, enhancing accessibility.
Understanding STM32WBA unique protocols for your application: the Matter
Matter is a new technology that has been developed to connect smart homes. It is the result of a collaborative effort involving over 200 companies, spearheaded by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). The Matter Working Group includes major players in the industry such as Google, Amazon, Samsung, Apple, and Ikea, among others.
Advantages:
Matter simplifies smart home connections by using the Internet Protocol (IP), which combines Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi, and Thread. This replaces the confusing mix of standards that currently exist in the market. Matter introduces a universal application layer protocol, ensuring seamless communication among different smart devices.
This standardization enables devices from various brands to understand and work with each other seamlessly. The project streamlines the development of smart appliances and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, making integration across brands effortless.
Matter Highlights and benefits:
- Security: Matter prioritizes security by employing end-to-end encryption to protect data transmission between devices, ensuring user privacy and data integrity. Robust secure device onboarding mechanisms are implemented to prevent unauthorized access to the network.
- Device Types and Roles: Matter categorizes devices within the ecosystem into specific roles and types, such as "Thread Routers" or "End Devices," each serving a unique purpose in the network.
- Certification Program: Matter includes a robust certification program to guarantee adherence to protocol standards. Devices meeting these criteria receive the Matter logo, signifying their interoperability with other certified devices.
- Retail and Consumer Confidence: Matter simplifies the buying process, assuring retailers and consumers that certified products will work seamlessly together. This alleviates concerns about compatibility and ensures a user-friendly experience.
Potential Applications using Matter Protocol:
- Smart Home Devices: Matter is designed for smart home applications, applicable to a range of devices like smart lights, door locks, thermostats, and sensors. The protocol ensures these devices work cohesively, regardless of the manufacturer.
- IoT Devices: Beyond smart homes, the Matter protocol extends compatibility to various IoT devices, including industrial IoT, healthcare IoT, and other connected environments.
- Voice Assistants Integration: Matter-certified devices effortlessly integrate with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri, enhancing voice control capabilities.
NUCLEO-WBA52
New concept: daughter board with STM32WBA
- UFQFN48 package, PCB antenna
- Arduino connector
- Morpho connector
- RF-certified
- RPN/CPN: NUCLEO-WBA52CG
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