STMicroelectronics Location Aware Mobile Network IoT module obtained Vodafone NB-IoT certification

     STMicroelectronics announces that the ST87M01 NB-IoT and GNSS modules have received Vodafone NB-IoT certification. The ST87M01 integrates mobile iot access and geolocation capabilities in a miniaturized, low-power, integrated module for a variety of iot and smart industrial uses.

     Domenico Arrigo, General Manager, Industrial and Power Products Conversion Products Division, STMicroelectronics, said: "Working with Vodafone on our test project ensures that our customers can provide reliable and future-proof data connectivity for their iot solutions, which take full advantage of the module's innovative energy saving features." In addition, the module is completely conceived, designed, developed and manufactured by ST, with superior product quality and excellent safety, independent supply and product life assurance."

     Sven Sobe, Senior specialist for iot Innovation and Certification at Vodafone, added: "The tests have shown that ST's ST87M01 module is able to connect seamlessly with our NB-IoT global infrastructure, providing an excellent option for customers who want to connect to our mobile network from anywhere in Europe." The ST87M01 was also recently certified by the Global Certification Forum (GCF), an organization that promotes interoperability of Mobile Networks and iot products. The module complies with the 3GPP Release 15 technical specification and provides greater multi-regional LTE coverage.

     The ST87M01 module combines reliable geolocation capabilities with long-term reliable mobile network connectivity to meet the needs of emerging large-scale iot applications, such as intelligent traffic hazard warning lights that will be written into Spanish traffic regulations in 2026. The new lights replace the triangular shaped passive hazard warning lights on cars and are capable of sending real-time car geolocation to local traffic management systems in the event of an accident, in line with the European Charter for Road Safety. The ST87M01 is the most advanced and highly integrated module on the market today, embedding all the functionality needed to support this application and paving the way for safer connected cars.

     The NB-IoT certification of the ST87M01 is also timely for the new smart metering systems for electricity, water and gas that are planned to be rolled out globally. In India in particular, the module represents a very effective smart meter deployment scenario, which is expected to reach 250 million smart meter deployments in the next five years.

     The module integrates the advanced embedded SIM card ST4SIM embedded SIM (eSIM) and is certified to the latest industry standards, for example, GSMA eSA (Security Assurance) certification. There is also a certified Embedded Security Unit (eSE) within the ST4SIM. The entire circuit is in a 10.6mm x 12.8mm LGA miniature package. The low energy function maximizes battery life for battery-powered applications, and the on-chip native GNSS satellite receiver operates during NB-IoT sleep periods to improve power saving.

     Developers can easily integrate the ST87M01 with other ST products, such as MEMS smart actuators and sensors, interfaces and other connectivity chips, to develop more iot applications that require geolocation accuracy, including pet and personal item tracking devices, industrial asset tracking, and more. And sensors used throughout smart infrastructure, smart agriculture, and more.