Qualcomm Technologies will integrate its Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Thread combo system-on-a-chip (SoC) into STMicroelectronics’ STM32 family of microcontrollers (MCUs). This integration includes on-board compute processing for low-power AI workloads in industrial IoT applications. The agreement will also expand to include cellular IoT SoCs, operating alongside STMicroelectronics’ own Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, Thread, and sub-GHz portfolio.
Starting in the first quarter of 2025, joint offerings will be available to IoT manufacturers (OEMs). The companies aim for swift and widespread adoption through STMicroelectronics’ sales and distribution channels. The goal is to enable better-integrated module-level edge AI for a new range of IoT applications.
Developers will gain access to seamless connectivity software integration on STM32 MCUs. This integration aims to facilitate easy and cost-effective design of new edge AI hardware for industrial and consumer IoT applications. STMicroelectronics plans to introduce self-contained modules based on its STM32 line integrated with Qualcomm’s SoCs at the system level.
A statement from the companies emphasized, “Wireless connectivity optimized and made available to ST’s developer ecosystem through ST’s well-established software platform will contribute to reducing development time and time-to-market… This is a first step in a collaboration that envisions a roadmap of Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Thread combo SoC products over time, with the intention to extend into cellular connectivity for industrial IoT applications.”
The partnership referenced ABI Research, citing that the consumer, commercial, and industrial IoT device base will exceed 80 billion units by 2028. According to the research, high-performance wireless connectivity solutions combined with diverse microcontrollers are fundamental to enabling the next wave of IoT innovation.
Remi El-Ouazzane, president for microcontrollers and integrated circuits at STMicroelectronics, stated, “Wireless connectivity is key to… edge AI across an ever-growing variety of use cases in enterprise, industrial, and personal applications… We envision wireless connectivity products based on technology from Qualcomm Technologies augmenting any of our STM32 products, bringing significant value to our more than 100,000 STM32 customers globally.”
Rahul Patel, group general manager in Qualcomm’s networking business, added, “[This] collaboration… pairs Qualcomm’s best-in-class connectivity offerings with ST’s leading STM32 microcontroller ecosystem and will help drive a significant acceleration of feature-rich capabilities across IoT… We are setting new developer experiences for IoT applications, supporting seamless integration and optimal performance for developers and end-users alike.”
In another development, Qualcomm completed its acquisition of 4G IoT technology assets from France-based chipmaker Sequans Communications. Sequans retains a perpetual license to develop and sell the portfolio, shifting its focus to 5G-based IoT technologies. Qualcomm stated that this acquisition enhances its position in “intelligence at the edge.”
Georges Karam, chief executive at Sequans, said: “The sale is set to deliver significant benefits to customers. With a robust balance sheet, proven technology and a comprehensive portfolio that includes low-power LTE-M/NB-IoT, LTE Cat 1bis, and the upcoming 5G Redcap/eRedCap technology, Sequans is very well positioned… Supported by a seasoned team dedicated to cellular IoT, Sequans is set to provide best-in-class IoT products and services.”
