ST's STEVAL-ASTRA1B multi-connectivity evaluation platform provides a complete ecosystem for asset tracking system designers to develop fully functional proof-of-concept prototypes. The evaluation kit is battery-operated, has a compact form factor, and provides firmware to simplify the development of targeted applications such as livestock monitoring, fleet management, logistics, and more.
This kit helps users evaluate ST's industry-leading short- and long-range STM32* wireless system-on-chip (SoC). The STM32WL55JC sub-GHz long-range wireless connectivity (LPWAN) SoC implements the LoRaWAN protocol and provides LoRa, (G)FSK, (G)MSK and BPSK modulation methods. Another wireless SoC, the STM32WB5MMG, is a 2.4GHz Bluetooth® Low Energy and Zigbee® wireless connectivity module. Each product features a dual-core processor, with an Arm® Cortex®-M4 core handling applications and a Cortex-M0+ core dedicated to managing RF communications.
The development kit also includes an ST25DV64K Contactless Near Field Communication (NFC) chip, which is responsible for secure pairing and communication, and a STSAFE-A110 security unit, which protects user privacy and prevents hackers from breaking into the system.
In addition, the Teseo-LIV3F miniature GNSS satellite positioning module provides developers with accurate and reliable outdoor positioning. To monitor asset conditions and the environment, the new development kit also integrates several sensors from STMicroelectronics, including the STTS22H low-voltage ultra-low power temperature sensor with ±0.5°C accuracy, the HTS221 digital temperature and humidity sensor; the LPS22HH barometric pressure sensor and the LIS2DTW12 Ultra low power triaxial accelerometer. The development kit also includes an LSM6DSO32X always-on inertial module with a built-in 3D accelerometer, 3D gyroscope and machine learning core.
The STEVAL-ASTRA1B evaluation board features an intelligent power and battery management architecture that helps developers maximize battery life. The architecture includes ST1PS02 ultra-low quiescent current synchronous buck converter, STBC03 lithium battery charge controller and TCPP01-M12 USB-C port protection chip.
Users can take advantage of a resource-rich ecosystem to "test drive" applications under development. The development ecosystem includes software and tools, for example, the FP-ATR-ATRA1 STM32Cube software function includes firmware libraries and typical application code examples. Users can also download ST's asset tracking mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play. Additionally, the DSH-ASSETRACKING Cloud Dashboard simplifies the creation and development of end-to-end proof-of-concept prototypes and is free to use for demonstration purposes.
