STMicroelectronics NUCLEO-WB55RG

Overview

NUCLEO-WB55RG from STMicroelectronics is an STM32WB Nucleo-64 evaluation board built around the STM32WB55RGV6U ultra-low-power dual-core wireless MCU (1 MB Flash, 256 KB SRAM, VFQFPN68), featuring Bluetooth® 5.2 and IEEE 802.15.4-2011 RF transceivers, integrated PCB antenna, and on-board ST-LINK/V2-1 debugger - used for rapid prototyping of BLE/Zigbee/Thread end-node applications in smart sensors and IoT gateways.

For engineers reviewing the NUCLEO-WB55RG datasheet, NUCLEO-WB55RG pinout, NUCLEO-WB55RG application, or NUCLEO-WB55RG equivalent, key selection criteria include dual-core real-time radio coexistence, USB Micro-B interface support, IEEE 802.15.4 PHY/MAC compliance, ARDUINO Uno V3 and ST morpho expansion compatibility, and CR2032 battery socket footprint for portable operation.

Technical Context

The board hosts the STM32WB55RGV6U, integrating an Arm Cortex-M4F application core and a dedicated Cortex-M0+ radio coprocessor with hardware-accelerated crypto engines (AES-128/256, SHA-256, PKA). The RF subsystem supports concurrent BLE 5.2 and IEEE 802.15.4-2011 operation with programmable output power up to +6 dBm and sensitivity down to –105 dBm at 1 Mbps BLE.

Power architecture includes flexible sourcing via ST-LINK USB, USB VBUS, external supply, or CR2032 coin cell; voltage regulation is handled by internal LDOs and a buck converter supporting 1.71–3.6 V operation. The ST-LINK/V2-1 provides mass storage, Virtual COM port, and SWD debug interfaces over a single Micro-B USB connection.

Key Specifications

Availability

NUCLEO-WB55RG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for IoT sensor node development, BLE gateway validation, and IEEE 802.15.4 protocol stack integration requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and long-term design-in support.

Supply support for NUCLEO-WB55RG 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, and power devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The STM32WB series targets ultra-low-power wireless applications, combining dual-core processing with certified BLE 5.2 and IEEE 802.15.4 radios to enable secure, battery-operated edge nodes in constrained environments.

FAQ

Does NUCLEO-WB55RG support both BLE and Zigbee simultaneously?

Yes - the STM32WB55RGV6U's dual-core architecture enables true concurrent operation: the Cortex-M0+ handles real-time radio layer tasks (BLE or 802.15.4) while the Cortex-M4F runs application firmware. Firmware stacks from STM32CubeWB allow simultaneous BLE advertising and Zigbee network joining without time-slicing or context-switch latency.

What debug and programming interfaces does the board provide?

The board integrates ST-LINK/V2-1 with full SWD debugging, flash programming, and three USB-class interfaces: mass storage (for drag-and-drop firmware update), Virtual COM port (for UART-based logging), and debug port (for IDE integration with STM32CubeIDE, IAR, or Keil). No external debugger is required.

Can the onboard antenna be replaced with an external antenna?

Yes - the board includes both an integrated PCB antenna and a footprint for an SMA connector. The RF path uses a 0 Ω resistor to select between PCB and SMA; removing that resistor and populating the SMA footprint enables direct connection to external antennas or RF test equipment without signal path modification.

Is the CR2032 battery socket pre-mounted?

No - the board includes only the footprint and solder pads for a standard CR2032 battery holder; no socket is mounted. Users must source and solder a compatible through-hole or surface-mount CR2032 socket to enable battery-powered operation, with automatic switchover managed by the on-board power controller.