ST doubles memory in Matter wireless microcontroller

STMicroelectronics has recently unveiled its latest wireless microcontroller, the STM32WBA6 series, which boasts doubled memory capacity and support for the Matter and Thread protocols. This integrated microcontroller is designed for use in various connected devices, including wearable healthcare monitors, animal collars, electronic locks, and remote weather sensors.

Building on the success of its predecessor, the STM32WBA5 series, the new STM32WBA6 features a 100MHz ARM Cortex-M33 wireless microcontroller with up to 2MB of Flash and 512KB RAM on-chip. This increase in memory capacity aims to streamline the bill of materials for manufacturers while offering enhanced performance and capabilities.

In addition to the expanded memory, the STM32WBA6 microcontrollers come equipped with a range of peripherals, including USB High Speed, SPI ports, I2C ports, USARTs, and LPUART, which contribute to reducing the complexity of the printed circuit board.

One of the key improvements in the wireless subsystem of the STM32WBA6 series is the enhanced sensitivity, which has been increased to -100dBm. This enhancement ensures more reliable connectivity over longer distances, meeting the demands of various IoT applications.

Furthermore, the STM32WBA6 devices feature robust security assets, including cryptographic accelerators, TrustZone isolation, random generator, and product lifecycle management. These security features are essential for compliance with industry regulations such as RED and CRA.

According to Patrick Aidoune, General Manager of the General-Purpose MCU Division at STMicroelectronics, the STM32WBA6 microcontrollers are designed to address high-end applications in smart home, health, factory, and agriculture sectors. The increased memory capacity and advanced features cater to the evolving needs of consumer and industrial markets.

For applications requiring simpler functionality and cost-effectiveness, the STM32WBA6 series also offers single-protocol variants. These variants provide a more streamlined solution for applications with specific requirements.

The X-CUBEMATTER software package, part of the STM32Cube ecosystem, integrates the Matter SDK and offers application examples to facilitate development. With package options ranging from UFQFPN48 to UFBGA121 and WLCSP88, manufacturers have flexibility in choosing the form factor that best suits their design needs.

The STM32WBA6 MCUs are currently in production and available for purchase, with pricing starting at $2.50 for orders of 10,000 pieces. This accessibility, combined with the advanced features and security enhancements, positions the STM32WBA6 series as a compelling choice for developers looking to create innovative IoT solutions.