STMicroelectronics Introduces Two Ready-to-Use LoRa Development Kits

STMicroelectronics has introduced two ready-to-use LoRa® development kits that enable LoRa® remote low-power wireless IoT network connectivity for all types of users, from large and small businesses to independent designers, enthusiasts and school teachers and students. Technology development tracking, positioning, metering and other Internet of Things applications.

The two development kits provide users with a complete LoRaWAN® development chain that includes gateway and endpoint boards as well as firmware and tools. Both boards are based on the easy-to-use, proven STMicroelectronics STM32* Nucleo development board. The two development kits are targeted at the 868MHz / 915MHz / 923MHz and sub-550MHz ISM bands, including proprietary gateway software and ST's I-CUBE-LRWAN endpoint software. Both the endpoint board and the gateway board are equipped with an antenna and an onboard debugger.

The LoRa Gateway for each development kit is based on the STM32 Nucleo-144 development board NUCLEO-F746ZG, a development board equipped with the STM32F746ZGT6 microcontroller (MCU). This gateway is different from a commercial gateway, and users can easily access the pins to assist in development work. The gateway acts as a basic packet forwarder, uploading development endpoint data to the LoRaWAN web server. STMicroelectronics has signed an agreement with LORIOT, Actility and The Things Network, a LoRaWAN network server leaser, to allow users to connect to the IoT servers of the three companies and use some basic functions for free. In addition, users can use the LmyDevices Cayenne for LoRa IoT Builder data dashboard to present sensor data and control devices.

The endpoint board is based on the NUCLEO-L073RZ development board, which integrates an STM32L073RZT6 ultra-low-power microcontroller with a battery holder for easy mobility. Each development kit has a LoRa endpoint expansion board, and the onboard communication module runs an AT command stack based on the ultra low power STM32. The user can also select motion sensors and environmental sensors on the board.

The P-NUCLEO-LRWAN2 development kit is used in the high frequency (868MHz / 915MHz / 923MHz) ISM band and is equipped with an I-NUCLEO-LRWAN1 Endpoint Expansion Board designed by USI. The expansion board integrates the STM32L0-based communication module with ST's sensors, including the LSM303AGR MEMS electronic compass (accelerometer/magnetometer), the ST LPS22HB pressure sensor, and the ST HTS221 temperature and humidity sensor. The P-NUCLEO-LRWAN3 Development Kit is used in the low frequency (433 / 470MHz) ISM area with an endpoint expansion board. The expansion board embeds a RisingHF module RHF0M003 based on STM32L0, as well as the ST LSM6DS33D accelerometer, ST LPS22HB pressure sensor and ST HTS221 temperature and humidity sensor.

Two development kits are available now. Developers can also get more resources from the market-proven STM32 ecosystem, including the LoRaWAN stack, the free integrated development environment (IDE) such as Keil MDK-ARM, and a wealth of software tools, including the STM32CubeMX initialization tool and configurator.