STMicroelectronics B-WL5M-SUBG1

Overview

B-WL5M-SUBG1 from STMicroelectronics is an STM32WL connectivity expansion board embedding the STM32WL5MOC module - a dual-core Arm® Cortex®-M4/M0+ MCU (256 KB Flash, 64 KB SRAM, UFBGA73) with integrated sub-GHz RF transceiver (150–960 MHz) supporting LoRa®, (G)FSK, (G)MSK, and BPSK modulations. It includes 4-Mbit serial flash, 256-Kbit I²C EEPROM, and ST MEMS sensors (temperature, magnetometer, 3D accelerometer/gyroscope, barometric pressure).

For engineers reviewing the B-WL5M-SUBG1 datasheet, B-WL5M-SUBG1 pinout, B-WL5M-SUBG1 application, or B-WL5M-SUBG1 equivalent, this board serves as a rapid prototyping platform for LPWAN edge nodes requiring concurrent low-power MCU operation, multi-modulation RF communication, and environmental sensing in compact form factor.

Technical Context

The board hosts the STM32WL5MOCH6TR module, integrating a dual-core Cortex-M4 (for application processing) and Cortex-M0+ (for radio stack offload), enabling real-time separation of protocol handling and user firmware. Its RF subsystem supports programmable output power up to +22 dBm and sensitivity down to –148 dBm (LoRa®, SF12, 125 kHz).

Power architecture supports flexible sourcing: USB Type-C (via add-on STMod+ adapter), external DC input, or VBUS passthrough; system-level low-power modes (Stop2, Shutdown) are accessible via HAL libraries and validated with ST's STM32CubeWL software package.

Key Specifications

Availability

B-WL5M-SUBG1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LPWAN sensor node development, industrial telemetry gateways, smart agriculture monitoring systems, and battery-powered environmental IoT deployments requiring stable component supply and long-term toolchain support.

Supply support for B-WL5M-SUBG1 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, sensors, power ICs, and analog/mixed-signal devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The B-WL5M-SUBG1 belongs to ST's STM32WL evaluation ecosystem, purpose-built to accelerate development of secure, ultra-low-power sub-GHz wireless applications using certified protocol stacks and hardware-validated RF performance.

FAQ

Does B-WL5M-SUBG1 include an onboard debugger?

No. The board requires an external STLINK-V3SET debugger connected via the MIPI® debug interface using a MIPI10/STDC14 cable. USB Type-C on the add-on STMod+ adapter provides only power - no debug or programming capability is implemented on the main board.

What RF certifications does the B-WL5M-SUBG1 support out-of-the-box?

The board leverages the pre-certified STM32WL5MOC module (ETSI EN 300 220, FCC Part 15.247, ARIB STD-T67, KC, SRRC). Final system certification remains the responsibility of the end-product designer, but the module's RF layout, antenna matching network, and conducted emission filtering are validated per regulatory test plans.

Can the on-board MEMS sensors be used independently of the LoRa® stack?

Yes. All sensors (LIS3MDL, LSM6DSO, LPS22HB, and internal temperature sensor) are accessible via standard I²C/SPI interfaces and fully supported by ST's X-CUBE-IOT01A middleware and STM32CubeWL HAL drivers - enabling standalone sensor fusion or hybrid use cases combining RF transmission with local data preprocessing.

Is the stubby antenna replaceable with an external RF connector?

Yes. The board features a U.FL (IPEX) RF connector footprint adjacent to the stubby antenna, allowing direct replacement with a compatible U.FL-to-SMA pigtail for lab testing or integration into shielded enclosures. Antenna matching remains valid for 868/915 MHz bands when using 50-Ω coaxial cables under 15 cm length.