STMicroelectronics has introduced two new microcontrollers (MCUs) now available for deployment: the STM32WBA6, a short-range wireless MCU designed to connect industrial devices to the Internet, and the STM32U3, an ultra-low-power MCU engineered for long-term operation with minimal maintenance.
www.embedded.com, Mar. 04, 2025 –
The STM32WBA6 series is tailored for use in smart, connected applications such as wearable healthcare and wellness monitors, electronic locks, remote weather sensors, animal collars, and more. These MCUs integrate additional memory and digital system interfaces while maintaining energy efficiency, allowing emerging product designs to incorporate enhanced functionalities without compromising power consumption.
Incorporating advanced security features, the STM32WBA6 MCUs embed SESIP3 and PSA Level3 certifiable security assets, including cryptographic accelerators, TrustZone® isolation, a random generator, and a product lifecycle management framework. These security elements help ST customers achieve compliance with upcoming RED and CRA regulations.
The wireless subsystem in the STM32WBA6 microcontrollers supports multiple protocols operating within the 2.4GHz frequency band, including Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, with the capability for concurrent communication across different protocols. For instance, a smart home bridge can connect with a homeowner's mobile app via Bluetooth while simultaneously managing smart lighting or thermostats over Zigbee-based mesh networking. The series also features single-protocol variants optimized for simpler, cost-sensitive applications.
Meanwhile, the STM32U3 MCUs are designed for IoT devices that require prolonged operation on limited energy sources such as coin cells, ambient solar power, or thermoelectric energy. Common use cases benefiting from ultra-low power consumption include utility meters, glucose meters, insulin pumps, animal monitoring devices, industrial sensors like thermostats and smoke detectors, and forest fire detection sensors. Additionally, STM32U3 MCUs power consumer electronics such as smartwatches, wearables, and hearables.
Beyond their exceptional energy efficiency, the STM32U3 series addresses the cybersecurity requirements of IoT applications through state-of-the-art hardware security measures. These MCUs permanently store secret keys in secure memory, eliminating vulnerabilities associated with CPU fetches. Furthermore, each device is preloaded with attestation credentials during manufacturing, reinforcing security while streamlining the provisioning process. Along with SESIP3 and PSA Level3 certifiable security features–including cryptographic accelerators, TrustZone® isolation, a random generator, and product lifecycle management–these protections help ensure ST customers' compliance with upcoming RED and CRA regulations.