STMicroelectronics and Sigfox to connect billions of devices

Semiconductor company STMicroelectronics and IoT service provider Sigfox have announced a collaboration agreement to support and accelerate the growing demand for connected devices for a broad range of applications.

To speed up customer adoption of Sigfox as a standard low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) for securely connecting physical devices to the cloud and the IoT, ST will offer Sigfox networking software as part of its own MCU software package, enabling developers to bring their LPWAN-based products and solutions to market faster. The STM32 software ecosystem has thus been extended with a Sigfox package that simplifies development and gives extra flexibility to connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices to long-range, low-power wireless networks.

The X-CUBE-SFOX package is ready to use with ST’s B-L072Z-LRWAN1 Discovery Kit, which is already LoRa enabled through I-CUBE-LRWAN embedded software. Developers can work with either of these established LPWAN technologies on the same hardware, creating products that can use the two protocols individually or alternatively. The Discovery Kit features the Murata CMWX1ZZABZ-091 module powered by an STM32L072 microcontroller and a sub-GHz radio transceiver SX1276 from Semtech. It is expandable via Arduino headers to add sensors or other IoT-device functions and capabilities.

X-CUBE-SFOX contains a complete set of Sigfox libraries and application examples for the STM32L0, and can be ported to other microcontrollers in the STM32 family. With over 700 STM32 variants, from ultralow-power to high-performance lines, developers can optimise the performance and features of IoT devices that take advantage of Sigfox services including basic connectivity, radio recognition and GPS-free location.

The software’s low memory footprint and efficient CPU utilisation minimise demand for system resources, helping to lower power consumption. It can be downloaded free of charge from www.st.com/x-cube-sfox.

The collaboration agreement ensures tool compatibility for the STM32 family of general-purpose microcontrollers, as well as with ST’s portfolio of technologies and products suitable for Sigfox technology. These include the S2-LP, a high-performance and ultralow-power sub-GHz radio transceiver; the Sigfox-compatible STSAFE-A1SX secure element; a wide range of motion, environmental and audio sensors; and power and power-management devices.

Potential applications include supply-chain management, building and equipment maintenance, water and gas metering, security, transportation, agriculture, mining and home automation.