STMicroelectronics NUCLEO-WL55JC1

Overview

NUCLEO-WL55JC1 from STMicroelectronics is an STM32WL Nucleo-64 evaluation board built around the STM32WL55JCI7U dual-core Arm® Cortex®-M4/M0+ microcontroller (48 MHz), integrating a sub-GHz RF transceiver (865–928 MHz), 256-Kbyte Flash, and 64-Kbyte SRAM. It supports LoRa®, (G)FSK, (G)MSK, and BPSK modulations and ships with on-board ST-LINK V3 debugger, SMA antenna, and Arduino Uno V3 + ST morpho expansion headers.

For engineers reviewing the NUCLEO-WL55JC1 datasheet, NUCLEO-WL55JC1 pinout, NUCLEO-WL55JC1 application, or NUCLEO-WL55JC1 equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of LPWAN end nodes for LoRaWAN®, Sigfox™, and wM-Bus-requiring validated RF layout, integrated debug interface, and multi-protocol stack compatibility out-of-box.

Technical Context

The board implements the STM32WL55JCI7U in UFBGA73, featuring dual-core asymmetric execution (Cortex-M4 for application, Cortex-M0+ for radio stack offload) and a fully integrated RF front-end with matching network and SMA connector. Its RF path includes calibrated TX power up to +22 dBm and RX sensitivity down to –148 dBm (LoRa, SF12, 125 kHz).

Power architecture supports flexible sourcing: USB VBUS (5 V), ST-LINK V3 debug interface (3.3 V), or external supply via VIN (7–12 V). The 32.768 kHz LSE and 32 MHz HSE oscillators enable precise RTC operation and high-speed MCU/RF timing synchronization.

Key Specifications

Availability

NUCLEO-WL55JC1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LPWAN sensor node development, industrial telemetry gateways, smart metering prototypes, and wireless asset tracking applications requiring stable component supply and production-ready RF validation.

Supply support for NUCLEO-WL55JC1 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, power devices, and sensors for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The STM32WL Series targets ultra-low-power wide-area wireless connectivity, combining dual-core processing with certified sub-GHz RF transceivers to simplify LoRaWAN® and proprietary protocol end-node design.

FAQ

What RF bands does the NUCLEO-WL55JC1 support?

The NUCLEO-WL55JC1 is the high-frequency variant (codified by '1') and supports 865–928 MHz. This aligns with regional ISM bands including EU 868 MHz, US 915 MHz, and KR 920 MHz. It does not support low-band (433–510 MHz) operation - that requires NUCLEO-WL55JC2.

Does the board include a certified antenna?

No - the board includes an SMA connector and matching network but ships with a generic SMA-connected antenna not pre-certified for regulatory compliance. Users must integrate their own FCC/CE/RED-certified antenna or validate the full RF system per regional requirements before deployment.

Can the ST-LINK V3 on this board program external STM32WL chips?

Yes - the ST-LINK V3E interface supports external target programming via SWD using the ST morpho header's SWCLK/SWDIO pins. Voltage translation (1.65–3.6 V) and target reset control are implemented, enabling in-circuit debugging and flashing of standalone STM32WL55JCI7U-based designs.

Is the STM32WL55JCI7U on this board identical to production-grade parts?

No - the on-board MCU carries a 'U' suffix and is a special version licensed for bundled commercial stacks (e.g., LoRaWAN® MAC layer). It is not sold separately. For production, designers must select a standard STM32WL55JCI7 part and license required software stacks separately through ST.