STMicroelectronics announces new smart Bluetooth devices and a next generation NFC controller that enables contactless ticketing, Avery Dennison releases UHF hard tag for laundry management
STMicroelectronics Hardware Used In Google Pixel Phone
STMicroelectronics (ST) recently released a combined near-field communication (NFC) controller and secure element known as the ST54L to enable mobile devices like smartphones, smart wearables and tablets to access security-protected contactless ticketing and payment services. The systems work with the STPay-Mobile platform.
The ST54L, already in mass production and is used in Google Pixel 8 phones, has been validated by several major mobile platform makers, according to ST.
NFC can host services such as mobile payments, mobile transit ticketing, access-control applications like Digital Car Key, and converged services requiring an embedded SIM or eSIM. The chip comes with the Thales mobile secure operating system running on the embedded secure element.
The company claims that the new chip strengthens NFC RF performance and increases non-volatile storage by over 50 percent (over previous generation products) to 3.3 MByte. The larger memory allows users to load extra services on the device with additional storage for eSIM profiles to support Multiple Enabled Profiles (MEP) or secure applications.
Avery Dennison Releases UHF Hard Tag for Laundry Management
Avery Dennison has launched a new product known as the AD Maxdura Flexible Laundry UHF Hard Tag, for the challenging environmental conditions in the laundry management industry. The tag is designed with structure, size and performance to meet laundry application demands where RFID is used to automate inventory processes for hotels, hospitals and restaurants.
The hard tags are made from recycled polyester, measure 1.4 millimeters thick, and can survive detergents, 200 wash cycles of water immersion, and up to 60 bars of pressure (the standard for industrial washing). Additionally, the tags can withstand up to 200 degrees, Celsius.
The tags offer an optimized reading distance of up to 10 meters, sewn directly onto sheets, garments and other laundry items.
The new hard tags comply with industry standards ISO 18000-63 and OEKO-TEX Standard 100, as well as passing quality tests for temperature, humidity and pressure resistance. The tags are manufactured according to the industry’s highest quality standards, as certified by the European EPC Competence Center (EECC), according to Avery Dennison.
New Smart Bluetooth Devices and Next Generation NFC Controller from STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics (ST) released several new products for Bluetooth connectivity, with the chip, module and evaluation board that are focused on enabling better, smaller and longer lasting, short-range wireless devices.
The STM32WB09 microcontroller comes with processing power and Bluetooth radio-frequency functionality, and can be connected to other components. With Bluetooth 5.3 software, the chip operates with other STM products that include PC-based design tools, essential software, and sample code, to accelerate application development. It comes with a miniaturized chip-scale package option, billed as one of the smallest on the market today.
The second Bluetooth product is the STM32WB1MMC wireless module for companies that don’t have their own access to engineering skills and resources.
It contains a certified wireless microcontroller, pre-integrated with external components needed for the radio system, as well as the Bluetooth software. The module helps product developers reduce project risks and instead focus on developing their own firmware to add value to wireless products, said STMicroelectronics officials.
To make its Bluetooth module easier for developers, STM has introduced an evaluation board known as the B-WB1M-WPAN with movement, temperature and barometric-pressure sensors that can be incorporated into the system.
The STM32WB09 wireless microcontroller, STM32WB1MMC turnkey wireless module, and B-WB1M-WPAN1 module evaluation board are all in production now and ready for new design starts.