STMicroelectronics EVLKST8500GH915

Overview

EVLKST8500GH915 from STMicroelectronics is a hybrid PLC&RF connectivity development kit built around the ST8500 system-on-chip, STLD1 PLC line driver, and S2-LP RF transceiver-supporting G3-PLC-compliant powerline communication and 860–940 MHz sub-GHz RF mesh networking. It integrates NUCLEO-G070RB (STM32G070RB) as application controller with USB Virtual COM via ST-LINK, RS485/CAN interfaces on baseboard, and modular evaluation modules for independent or co-simulated PLC/RF link testing.

For engineers reviewing the EVLKST8500GH915 datasheet, EVLKST8500GH915 pinout, EVLKST8500GH915 application, or EVLKST8500GH915 equivalent, this kit enables rapid validation of dynamic media selection, hybrid mesh routing, and interoperability with existing G3-PLC infrastructure in smart grid and industrial IoT deployments.

Technical Context

The kit implements a dual-medium network stack where the ST8500 SoC acts as protocol controller executing G3-PLC PHY/MAC and IPv6-based networking, while the S2-LP transceiver handles RF link layer operations in the 860–940 MHz band with configurable data rates up to 500 kbps and sensitivity down to –135 dBm. Media selection is performed per-hop using real-time channel quality metrics and link-layer acknowledgments.

PLC functionality relies on STLD1 line driver supporting CENELEC A/B/C/D bands and 12 V DC-powered operation; RF path includes matching network and SMA antenna connector. The STM32G070RB provides UART/SPI/I²C access to both connectivity subsystems and hosts STSW-ST8500GH firmware for configuration, diagnostics, and packet injection.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVLKST8500GH915 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart metering field trials, industrial IoT gateway prototyping, and smart grid communication node validation requiring stable component supply and full-stack hybrid connectivity verification.

Supply support for EVLKST8500GH915 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, analog ICs, MEMS, power devices, and wireless solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

EVLKST8500GH915 belongs to ST's Smart Connectivity Solutions product line, engineered specifically to accelerate development of interoperable, standards-based hybrid PLC/RF communication systems for utility infrastructure modernization and distributed energy management.

FAQ

Is EVLKST8500GH915 a standalone evaluation board or does it require additional hardware?

No additional ST hardware is required to begin evaluation: the kit includes all modules (EVALMODST8500-1, EVALS2915A1/A2, NUCLEO-G070RB, ST8500GH-MB), 12 V power adapter, and USB cable. However, at least two identical kits are needed to test bidirectional PLC&RF hybrid mesh communication between nodes, as single-kit operation only supports local loopback and interface diagnostics.

What firmware and software tools are supported for EVLKST8500GH915?

The kit requires STSW-ST8500GH firmware package, which includes host PC utilities (STSW-PLC-DEMO-GUI), embedded application examples, G3-PLC stack binaries, and S2-LP RF configuration tools. Development is supported in STM32CubeIDE with HAL drivers for STM32G070RB and middleware APIs for ST8500 register-level control and packet injection.

Can EVLKST8500GH915 interoperate with legacy G3-PLC networks?

Yes-EVLKST8500GH915 implements full G3-PLC compliance per ITU-T G.9903, including OFDM PHY, PRIME/G3 MAC layer, IPv6/6LoWPAN adaptation, and security suite (AES-128, ECDH key exchange). It has been validated for interoperability with certified G3-PLC meters and concentrators from major utility vendors and passes conformance testing against G3 Alliance certification requirements.

Does the kit support over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates for ST8500 or S2-LP?

No OTA update capability is implemented in the default STSW-ST8500GH firmware. Firmware updates for ST8500 and S2-LP must be performed via SWD/JTAG using the onboard ST-LINK debugger or external J-Link probe. The STM32G070RB application firmware supports UART-based bootloader mode, but ST8500 and S2-LP images require dedicated programming tools (STSW-ST8500-PROG and S2-LP GUI Tool) and physical connection.