Qualcomm and STMicroelectronics have forged a strategic collaboration for the next generation of industrial and consumer IoT solutions augmented by edge AI.

Accordingly, the collaboration will see the two companies integrate Qualcomm Technologies’ leading AI-powered wireless connectivity technologies with the microcontroller (MCU) ecosystem from ST.

Through this collaboration, developers will enjoy seamless connectivity software integration into STM32 general-purpose MCUs. Furthermore, these include software toolkits, facilitating quick and broad adoption via ST’s world-wide sales and distributor channels.

From Industrial to Consumer

Rahul Patel, Group General Manager, Connectivity, Broadband and Networking Business Unit for Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. said, “Qualcomm Technologies’ research and development leadership has helped drive the evolution of wireless IoT. Specifically, ranging from pioneering 4G/5G, to high performance Wi-Fi, to micropower connectivity solutions. Our collaboration with STMicroelectronics pairs Qualcomm Technologies’ best-in-class connectivity offerings with ST’s leading STM32 microcontroller ecosystem. (Thus,) will help drive a significant acceleration of feature-rich capabilities across the IoT.”

In addition, Patel said, “Together, we are setting new developer experiences for IoT applications, supporting seamless integration and optimal performance for developers and end-users alike.”

Meanwhile, Remi El-Ouazzane, President, Microcontrollers, Digital ICs and RF Products Group, for STMicroelectronics said, “Wireless connectivity is key to the fast pervasion of edge AI across an ever-growing variety of use cases in enterprise, industrial and personal applications. This is why we are establishing a strategic collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies on wireless connectivity today. Starting with Wi-Fi/BT/Thread combo SoC, and already considering next steps, complementing our existing multi-protocol Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, Thread and sub-GHz products portfolio.”

In addition, El-Ouazzane said, “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.”

Cellular Connectivity for Industrial IoT

Focusing on the broader market, ST plans to introduce self-contained modules utilizing Qualcomm Technologies’ Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Thread combo SoC portfolio. Particularly, it is possible system-level integrate with any STM32 general-purpose microcontrollers.

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. Thus, the initial product offerings resulting from this collaboration are expected to be available to OEMs in Q1 2025, with broader availability to follow.

This is a first step in a collaboration that envisions a roadmap of Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Thread combo SoC products over time. Moreover, the intention is to extend into cellular connectivity for industrial IoT applications.  

02 October 2024