Over the years, we’ve seen many LoRa modules combining STM32 microcontroller with Semtech SX12xx wireless transceivers, so that’s probably why STMicro decided to create the first LoRa SoC with STM32WL that was launched last year.
I’ve just been informed a tiny (12x12mm) LoRa-E5 module based on STM32WL LoRa SoC working with 868 MHz and 915 MHz bands had recently launched on Seeed Studio for $9.90.
LoRa-E5 key features and specifications:
- SoC – STMicro STM32WLE5JC Arm Cortex-M4 MCU @ 48 MHz with 256 KB flash memory, 64 KB SRAM, SX126x LoRa radio
- LoRa connectivity
- Tx power – 22dBm @ 868/915MHz
- -136.5dBm sensitivity for SF12 with 125KHz BW
- 158dB link budget
- Embedded LoRaWAN protocol, AT command
- Frequency ranges – EU868, US915, AU915, AS923, KR920, IN865
- I/Os – 3x UART, 1x I2C, 1x 12-bit ADC, 1x SPIO
- Supply Voltage – 3.3V
- Power Consumption
- As low as 2.1uA sleep current in WOR mode
- Tx power consumption
- 50mA @ 10dBm (434MHz)
- 111mA @ 22dBm (470MHz or 868 MHz)
- Rx power consumption – 6.7mA @ BW125kHz (434/470/868MHz)
- Dimensions – 12 x 12 x 2.5mm; 28-pin SMT package
- Certifications – FCC and CE
- Temperature Range – -40°C ~ 85°C
Note there are two models: LoRa-E5-LF for 434 and 470MHz bands, and LoRa-E5-HF for 868 / 915MHz bands, and only the HF model is available on Seeed Studio at this point in time.
There’s no easy-to-follow guide for the module just yet, and instead, the company points to STM32Cube MCU package for STM32WL series. The datasheet on Seeed Studio is a little confusing too, as they recommend connecting the module to an external STM32L0 Cortex-M0+ microcontroller to control the chip via AT commands, instead of just relying on the embedded Cortex-M4 core.
This design choice only makes sense if this allows to further reduce power consumption thanks to the more efficient Cortex-M0+ core.
It’s not the first STM32WL module we’ve covered on CNX Software, as we recently wrote about MKR Windy board integrating Midatronics MDX-STWLU-R01 “Windy” module, and indeed there’s no external MCU here, they just use the Cortex-M4 core found in STM32WL SoC. At 12×12 mm, the LoRa-E5 module is quite more compact than the Midatronics Windy module measuring 26 x 16 mm, but the latter already comes with an iPEX antenna connector
Thanks to duxy for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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I got this one in october 2020 but it only the single cpu version which has one bisgdisadvantage: you cannot have both modem firmware and app firmware on this module without recertification every time the firmware changes.
but there is a more interesting model: stm32wl55jc (ufbga) / stm32wl55cc (ufqfpn). Big advantage: you flash 2 firmwares separately (rediding on same flash, different regions) so the m0+ runs the modem firmware which stays unchanged and thus must only be certified once and you can run firmware over the air updates running on the m4. yes it is not a module but ic can easily be done (see nucleo devkit) and most likely will be available soon.
I got myself the nucleo last week which I am currently evaluating, so far it’s what I was hoping for. If I understand correctly the modem firmware comes precertified but I would have to verify that.
For more info see STM32CubeWL (https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/products/embedded-software/mcu-mpu-embedded-software/stm32-embedded-software/stm32cube-mcu-mpu-packages/stm32cubewl.html#documentation)
The names are often mixed up because of their similarity but the difference is huge: you get he advantage of one time certification while having still only one SoC for both modem firmware and app firmware.
Thanks. I did not know the need for certification each time the LoRa firmware had to be modified. Are we talking about FCC/CE or something else?
Lorawan certification
Thanks. I’ve found a certificate and indeed it reads:
If I understand correctly not having LoRaWAN certification does not preclude the device from being used, but vendors can’t claim the device is certified or use LoRaWAN logo.
I see you mention the MDX-STWLU-R01 which is exactly taking advantage of the stm32wl55jc/cc
My mistake, the MDX-STWLU-R01 is NOT using the dual cpu variant according to
their datasheet
https://midatronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Midatronics_Windy-1.3.pdf
On your linked post you mention the STM32WL55JX in the spec “Wireless MCU – STMicro STM32WLE5JX/STM32WL55JX” – I think this is only a typoe.
So both MDX-STWLU-R01 and LoRa-E5 are no dual cpu.
@cnxsoft STMicro has a relevant update to this from January this year in the form of the STM32WL5M where LoRaWAN recertification is no longer an issue. Also potentially Dash7-compatible according to STMicro employee Roman Ludin.