Summary of NEXT-GENERATION IOT WIRELESS MODULES ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT
Arrow Electronics offers Sharky wireless modules based on the STM32WB55 microcontroller, co-developed with Midatronics. These modules support Bluetooth 5, Thread, and ZigBee via a dual-core architecture that separates application and radio tasks for enhanced security and performance. Available in various configurations (MDX-STWBP-01, MDX-STWUP-R01, MDX-STWBC-R01, MDX-STWBW-R01), they feature integrated balun circuitry, optional antennas, and ultra-low power consumption. Hardware encryption includes PKA and RNG for secure key storage.
Parts used in the Sharky Wireless Modules:
- STM32WB55 wireless microcontroller
- 2.4GHz RF transceiver
- Dual Arm Cortex-M core architecture (Cortex-M4F and Cortex-M0+)
- On-board PCB antenna or UFL connector
- Integrated Balun circuitry
- Chip antenna option
- No antenna option
- Hardware-based encryption components (PKA and RNG)
Radio modules using STMicroelectronics’ STM32WB55 wireless microcontroller are available from Arrow Electronics. The Sharky modules were co-developed with Italian designer, Midatronics. By Caroline Hayes
The microcontroller integrates a 2.4GHz RF transceiver supporting Bluetooth 5 (including Bluetooth Low Energy), Thread, and ZigBee stacks. Its dual Arm Cortex-M core architecture enables real-time secure application performance running on the 64MHz Cortex-M4F core, and concurrently manages the radio subsystem and security tasks on the integrated but independent Cortex-M0+
The MDX-STWBP-01 and MDX-STWUP-R01 Shrarkypro modules have an on-board PCB antenna or a UFL connector, respectively, for attaching an external antenna. Balun circuitry for connecting the antenna is integrated in the microcontroller. There is also the MDX-STWBC-R01 and MDX-STWBW-R01 modules, with a choice of a chip antenna or no antenna, respectively.
The power-efficient modules draw 13nA in shutdown mode and 600nA in standby with the microcontroller real-time clock and RAM powered up. Receive sensitivity is -96dBm and RF output is programmable, with low active current at 4.5mA receive and transmitting at 0dBm.
For security, the microcontroller’s hardware-based encryption consists of public key authorisation (PKA) and random number generator (RNG), with customer key storage to keep keys hidden.
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- What wireless stacks does the STM32WB55 microcontroller support?
It supports Bluetooth 5 including Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, and ZigBee stacks. - How does the dual core architecture manage tasks?
The 64MHz Cortex-M4F core runs real-time secure applications while the independent Cortex-M0+ manages the radio subsystem and security tasks. - Which modules feature an on-board PCB antenna?
The MDX-STWBP-01 module has an on-board PCB antenna. - Can I use an external antenna with these modules?
Yes, the MDX-STWUP-R01 module features a UFL connector for attaching an external antenna. - What is the power consumption in shutdown mode?
The modules draw 13nA in shutdown mode. - Does the microcontroller include hardware encryption?
Yes, it includes public key authorisation and a random number generator for customer key storage. - What is the receive sensitivity of the modules?
The receive sensitivity is -96dBm. - Are there options for modules without an antenna?
Yes, the MDX-STWBW-R01 module comes with no antenna.
