STMicroelectronics P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1

Overview

P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 from STMicroelectronics is an STM32 Nucleo evaluation pack comprising a gas expansion board (IKA02A1) and NUCLEO-L053R8 development board, designed for electrochemical toxic gas sensing with integrated CO detection using the Figaro TGS5141 coin-cell sensor, TSU111 signal-conditioning op-amps, STLM20 temperature compensation, and ultra-low-power ARM Cortex-M0+ MCU running at 32 MHz.

For engineers reviewing the P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 datasheet, P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 pinout, P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 application, or P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 equivalent, this kit supports rapid prototyping of battery-powered gas detection systems requiring precise analog front-end conditioning, temperature-compensated electrochemical readout, and low-power MCU integration with configurable sensor footprints (PCD13.5, PCD17, Mini, TGS5141).

Technical Context

The expansion board implements a complete analog signal chain for electrochemical sensors: two TSU111 rail-to-rail op-amps provide programmable gain and low-noise amplification for 2-/3-/4-electrode configurations, while the STLM20 delivers ±1.5°C accuracy over −40 to 125°C for real-time temperature compensation of gas concentration calculations.

The NUCLEO-L053R8 baseboard integrates an STM32L053R8T6 MCU featuring 64 KB Flash, 8 KB SRAM, and multiple low-power modes (e.g., 340 nA standby), enabling multi-year operation on coin-cell batteries when paired with the TGS5141's >10-year expected lifetime and EN50291-compliant 5000 ppm CO tolerance.

Key Specifications

Availability

P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial air quality monitoring, residential CO alarm development, and portable environmental safety instrumentation requiring stable component supply and validated reference design integration.

Supply support for P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 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, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, sensors, power ICs, and analog components for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

This kit belongs to ST's X-NUCLEO ecosystem of Arduino-compatible expansion boards, engineered specifically to accelerate prototyping of sensor-based IoT edge devices with validated analog signal chains and energy-efficient MCU integration.

FAQ

What sensor types does the P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 support?

The board supports two-, three-, and four-electrode electrochemical sensors via four standardized footprints: PCD13.5, PCD17, Mini, and TGS5141. It ships with the Figaro TGS5141 CO sensor pre-mounted, but users can replace it with compatible sensors such as NO₂, H₂S, or Cl₂ variants meeting the same footprint and electrode configuration requirements.

How is temperature compensation implemented?

Temperature compensation uses the STLM20 analog output temperature sensor, which delivers a linear voltage proportional to die temperature (−40 to 125°C) with ±1.5°C accuracy. Its 9 µA quiescent current minimizes impact on battery life, and its output is sampled by the NUCLEO-L053R8's 12-bit ADC to correct gas concentration readings in firmware.

Can the P-NUCLEO-IKA02A1 be used with other Nucleo boards?

Yes - the IKA02A1 expansion board is mechanically and electrically compatible with all STM32 Nucleo boards using the Arduino Uno R3 connector layout, including NUCLEO-F401RE and NUCLEO-L476RG. The included NUCLEO-L053R8 is optimized for ultra-low-power use, but firmware must be adapted for different MCU peripherals and clock trees.

What is the role of the TSU111 op-amps?

The two TSU111 operational amplifiers serve as precision, ultra-low-power transimpedance and buffer stages for electrochemical sensor current-to-voltage conversion. With 12 µV input offset and 550 nA quiescent current, they enable stable, drift-free amplification of picoamp-level sensor currents without compromising battery runtime.