STMicroelectronics launches ST87M01 module to accelerate Internet of Things

November 4, 2024, China-STMicroelectronics officially launched a fully upgraded ST87M01 mobile data communication module. The module is designed to simplify the connection and management process of large-scale IoT devices, thereby promoting the rapid development of sustainable smart grids and smart industries.

The ST87M01 module platform has successfully passed the NB-IoT certification and supports the optional advanced ST4SIM embedded SIM (eSIM) card for convenient access to mobile network services. What is more worth mentioning is that this series of modules is now pre-installed with Vodafone network profiles, which means that customers can quickly and easily access Vodafone's extensive global mobile network.

In addition, STMicroelectronics has integrated wireless M-Bus (wM-Bus) connection function in the ST87M01 module, providing an additional standardized backup channel for the collection of residential water, electricity and gas usage data. In the event of a mobile communication network interruption, the wireless M-Bus can be used as a backup network connection to ensure the continuity of data transmission. At the same time, Wireless M-Bus also improves the flexibility of meter reading, allowing meter readers to choose to read meters on site or remotely according to actual needs.

Maddalena S.p.A., a well-known smart water meter innovation company in the market, has selected ST87M01 to design its latest high-end water meter product line, aiming to accelerate the development of cutting-edge water meter solutions. "Through our collaboration with STMicroelectronics, we have successfully integrated advanced NB-IoT IoT technology and selected this rare, out-of-the-box, compact, and NB-IoT certified industrial module for mobile connectivity. With this solution, our new meters can help customers deploy smart grids faster. This collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships in the technology field, allowing us to provide reliable, high-performance solutions to meet the changing needs of the market," said Filippo Fontanelli, CTO of Maddalena S.p.A.

"Compared to solutions that integrate only one connectivity technology, the ST87M01 combines both eSIM and NB-IoT connectivity technologies in the same module, which not only simplifies system management and reduces system costs, but also enhances data security protection. In addition, the ST87M01 provides customers with the option of conveniently loading Vodafone mobile network profiles, which brings significant advantages to customers who want to deploy IoT solutions on a large scale."

The ST87M01 module has excellent flexibility thanks to the software-defined RF transceiver designed specifically for it by STMicroelectronics. The transceiver can dynamically switch between cellular NB-IoT and sub-GHz wM-bus communication modes, making the module suitable for a variety of application scenarios and meeting specific requirements, such as using wM-Bus as a backup communication to enhance communication resilience. In addition, the module supports direct embedding of user code when developing simple applications, while it can be connected to a separate main microcontroller when developing more complex applications.

It is worth noting that the Vodafone profile has been integrated into the product models of the ST87M01 series equipped with NB-IoT and multi-constellation GNSS satellite receivers, which can be used to implement location-based service applications such as safety monitoring of remote workers, asset tracking and smart logistics. To save power, the embedded GNSS receiver will operate during the NB-IoT sleep interval. The entire ST87M01 module has passed industrial certification and adopts a 10.6mm x 12.8mm package, providing designers with reliable performance, cost-effective and ultra-compact product options.

By integrating positioning and multi-connectivity options on the same module, the ST87M01 platform has been widely used in industrial status monitoring, factory automation, smart agriculture, environmental monitoring, as well as smart buildings, smart cities and smart infrastructure.

The new module and all its internal components are conceived, designed and manufactured by STMicroelectronics. This independent production model ensures that the company has full control over material costs and supply chains. As a result, the ST87M01 excels in product quality, safety and life cycle, making it a unique presence in the market.