Some Guidance with the STM32WLE-chips with LoRa-support

MBobi.1 · ‎2020-08-20

Dear ST-Micro-Team,

I have experience with 'other' Microcontrollers, embedded programming and PCB design. However, I'm completely new to the STMicro series with LoRa support.

This chip sounds like pure magic, I'd like to try it out.

For my project, I'd liket to prototype following minimum example:

Design a PCB in autodesk eagle with either the UFQFPN48 7x7mm package or the 5x5mm UFBGA73 package.
1. The PCB should be equipped with the filter caps, the MCU, some breakout pins for programming and eventually a Lithium charger IC but I want to keep it as small and simple as possible. External antennan will probably be just a wire.

Can you please provide me some starting help with following questions:

Are there reference designs available for the two packages that are supported by ST Micro? I dont think so, I've ound something for the 7x7mm. I'll take a look but that would only save me half of a day in the project.
There are not any featured articles, blogs etc. neither official nor externally about the STM32WLE series with practical examples: how do I program the board, what Software do I need? So I think I have to start from scratch with Cube:

https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32-ides.html

Can I really use some Arduino syntax there? Sounds great....let's start. What courses do you suggest for me?

Thank you!

Remi QUINTIN · ‎2020-10-27

Hard to meet all your expectations but let's start by the begining.

First have a look at https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32wlex.html

You should find a few answers of some of your questions.

Then regarding board programming and FW, you will have to wait for the official mass market launch that should happen by a mot and half.

By that time, all the ecosystem (programming tool, development tool, boards...) will be ready to support your development, including some online training.

MBobi.1 · ‎2020-10-27

Good morning Remi, thank you for your answer. Is it possible to get reference board designs for the STM32WLE? I heard Murata is working on a SiP module with all the external components and an RF path. But that probably also takes months. For my project, we would like to keep everything as small as possible.