STMicroelectronics STEVAL-IKR002V5

Overview

STEVAL-IKR002V5 from STMicroelectronics is a complete dual-node wireless development kit for sub-GHz low-data-rate communication, built around two SPIRIT1 transceivers (915 MHz band) and two STM32L microcontroller motherboards. It supports wireless M-Bus systems, offers AES-128 encryption, 2-FSK/GFSK/MSK/GMSK/OOK/ASK modulation, and operates at air data rates from 1 to 500 kbps with RX sensitivity up to –120 dBm.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-IKR002V5 datasheet, STEVAL-IKR002V5 pinout, STEVAL-IKR002V5 application, or STEVAL-IKR002V5 equivalent, this kit delivers validated RF+MCU integration for rapid prototyping of secure, ultra-low-power ISM-band sensor networks, utility metering gateways, and battery-operated telemetry endpoints requiring robust link budget and protocol offload.

Technical Context

The kit implements a dual-node architecture: each node integrates a SPIRIT1 transceiver (ST's proprietary sub-GHz RF IC) with an STM32L152RE microcontroller, enabling independent firmware development and synchronized RF testing. The SPIRIT1 handles physical layer functions including automatic packet acknowledgment, retransmission, timeout management, and AES-128 encryption acceleration.

USB interface provides host PC connectivity for GUI-based configuration and firmware updates; JTAG debug connector enables full STM32L firmware development. Low-duty-cycle RX/TX operation and 9 mA RX / 21 mA TX (at +11 dBm) support multi-year battery life in field-deployable nodes.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-IKR002V5 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless utility metering, battery-powered sensor network validation, and sub-GHz protocol stack development requiring stable component supply and full-stack reference implementation.

Supply support for STEVAL-IKR002V5 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 applications.

This kit belongs to ST's STEVAL evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate time-to-prototype for sub-GHz IoT and smart infrastructure applications using ST's proprietary RF and ultra-low-power MCU technologies.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-IKR002V5 support over-the-air firmware updates?

Yes - each motherboard includes a USB interface that enables direct firmware upload and GUI-based configuration via ST's dedicated software development kit. The STM32L microcontroller supports bootloader-based field updates without requiring external programming hardware.

Can the SPIRIT1 transceivers be configured for EU 868 MHz band operation?

No - the daughterboards are factory-tuned specifically for the 915 MHz ISM band. They are not field-reconfigurable for 868 MHz; separate hardware (e.g., STEVAL-IKR001V3) is required for EU band compliance and regulatory certification.

Is the AES-128 encryption engine accessible directly from the host PC GUI?

Yes - the GUI includes dedicated tabs to configure encryption keys, select payload encryption mode (full packet or payload-only), and verify encrypted frame transmission/reception. Keys are loaded into the SPIRIT1's secure register space via SPI during initialization.

What debug interfaces are provided on the motherboard?

The motherboard features a standard 20-pin ARM JTAG/SWD connector supporting full SWD debugging, flash programming, and real-time variable inspection using STM32CubeIDE or Keil MDK. No additional adapter is needed beyond a compatible debug probe.