STMicroelectronics Updates Free Embedded Software for Enhanced LoRaWAN Experience

With updates that implement the recently approved LoRaWAN 1.0.3 specifications from the LoRa-Alliance, STMicroelectronics is making its I-CUBE-LRWAN Expansion Package for the STM32 family of microcontrollers up-to-date and more secure, expanding the possibilities for Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications that operate on Low-Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN).

The I-CUBE-LRWAN expansion package consists of a set of libraries and application examples for the full portfolio of STM32 MCUs, including the ultra-low-power STM32L0, STM32L1, STM32L4 and STM32L4+ series microcontrollers operating in IoT end-devices. With security a growing concern among IoT developers, the libraries include a dedicated Application Programming Interface (API) to manage Secure Elements, such as the STSAFE-A product family and enable a range of data-protection capabilities.

To increase application flexibility, the LoRaWAN 1.0.3 update added compatibility with Class B devices. Trading flexibility for power efficiency, the three device classes suit any IoT use cases operating on the unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum from 433MHz to 928MHz.

This upgraded I-CUBE-LRWAN package provides the drivers for the new sx126x Semtech radio and also supports the sx1261dvk1bas, sx1262dvk1cas and sx1262dvk1das shields. The package also includes an application suitable to run on NUCLEO-L053R8, NUCLEO-L152RE, NUCLEO-L476RG and B-L072Z-LRWAN1 Discovery kits embedding the CMWX1ZZABZ-091 LoRa /Sigfox module from Murata. The package also supports a USI LoRaWAN technology module through the I-NUCLEO-LRWAN1 expansion board.

With more than 800 STM32 devices and almost 300 ultra-low-power STM32 variants, developers can benefit from the unrivalled flexibility to optimize the performance and features of IoT devices that take full advantage of LoRaWAN services including connectivity, radio recognition, and GPS-free location.

I-CUBE-LRWAN software can be downloaded free of charge from www.st.com/i-cube-lrwan.

<1> 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.

<2> Class A, B, and C devices all uplink asynchronously to the hub. Class A devices offer only two downlink windows, synchronized to the uplink message. Class B devices offer synchronized windows to receive downlink messages. Class C devices always keep the downlink window open unless the device is transmitting.