A multi-connectivity evaluation platform from Swiss firm ST Microelectronics provides an ecosystem for building a complete proof-of-concept for an asset tracking system.

Battery powered, and with a small form factor, the Steval-Astra 1B evaluation kit also includes firmware to simplify development targeted applications such as livestock monitoring, fleet management and logistics.

The kit helps users evaluate STM’s short- and long-range STM32 wireless systems-on-chip (SoCs). The STM32WL55JC sub-GHz SoC for long-range connectivity (LPWAN) implements the LoRaWan protocol and provides LoRa, (G)FSK, (G)MSK, and BPSK modulations. The other wireless SoC is the STM32WB5MMG module for 2.4GHz Bluetooth Low Energy and Zigbee connectivity. Each device has an Arm Cortex-M4 core for application processing with a dedicated Cortex-M0+ to manage the radio.

The development kit also includes an ST25DV64K near-field communication (NFC) contactless chip for secure pairing and communication and an STSafe-A110 secure element that ensures privacy and guards against hacking.

In addition, a Teseo-LIV3F miniature GNSS module provides accurate and reliable outdoor positioning. Numerous STM sensors are integrated for monitoring asset condition and environment. These include an STTS22H low-voltage, low-power temperature sensor with ±0.5˚C accuracy, HTS221 digital humidity and temperature sensor, LPS22HH barometric pressure sensor, and LIS2DTW12 low-power three-axis accelerometer. There is also an LSM6DSO32X always-on inertial module, which contains a 3D accelerometer and 3D gyroscope with machine-learning core.

The Steval-Astra 1B has a smart power and battery-management architecture that helps developers increase application runtime. It includes the ST1PS02 nano-quiescent synchronous step-down converter, STBC03 Li-ion battery charging controller, and TCPP01-M12 USB-C port-protection IC.

Users can take advantage of an ecosystem including software and tools for road testing applications in development. They include the FP-ATR-Astra 1 STM32 Cube software function pack with firmware libraries and typical application examples. There is also STM’s asset-tracking mobile app, available on Apple Store and Google Play. In addition, the DSH-Assetracking web-based cloud dashboard simplifies the creation of an end-to-end proof of concept and is free of charge for demonstration purposes.

The evaluation kit is available to order now through STM’s eStore for $144.55.