STMicroelectronics STEVAL-IPG001V1

Overview

STEVAL-IPG001V1 from STMicroelectronics is a fully functional gas meter demonstration board integrating an OMRON gas sensor, STM32L ultra-low-power microcontroller, SPIRIT1 Sub-GHz RF transceiver, dual-interface EEPROM (I²C + RF), LCD display, and motor-driven gas valve control. It supports WMBUS protocol (N-mode at 169 MHz and S-mode at 868 MHz), tariff scheduling (up to 4 tariffs, ≥1 hr spacing), tamper detection (4 types), and MD (maximum demand) calculation.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-IPG001V1 datasheet, STEVAL-IPG001V1 pinout, STEVAL-IPG001V1 application, or STEVAL-IPG001V1 equivalent, this board serves as a complete reference for utility-grade smart gas metering design - including NFC-enabled Android configuration, Windows-based concentrator setup, seismic/IR/NFC expansion headers, and battery-operated low-power operation (15–20 µA in standalone mode).

Technical Context

The board implements a full end-to-end gas metering stack: the STM32L MCU hosts the WMBUS protocol stack and manages sensor data acquisition (OMRON gas sensor via I²C), pressure/temperature sensing (I²C), RTC timekeeping, EEPROM read/write (dual-interface), LCD rendering, and motorized valve actuation via four half-bridge drivers (PD6, PD7, PE5, PE8). All timing-critical functions-including tariff switching, MD windowing, and tamper logging-are handled in firmware with hardware-assisted timers and interrupts.

Wireless communication uses the SPIRIT1 transceiver configured for ETSI-compliant Sub-GHz SRD bands: 169 MHz (N-mode, long-range, narrowband) and 868 MHz (S-mode, higher throughput). The board includes dedicated hardware for WMBUS data switching (PD5), RF busy signaling (PE13), and antenna matching networks. Power management supports dual sources: 3.3–3.6 V battery or 5 V USB/wall adapter with seamless switchover.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-IPG001V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart utility meter development, WMBUS protocol validation, and ultra-low-power embedded metering applications requiring certified RF compliance, multi-tariff billing logic, and tamper-resilient design.

Supply support for STEVAL-IPG001V1 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, specializing in microcontrollers, analog ICs, power management, and MEMS sensors - with over 40 years of industrial and automotive-grade product experience.

This board belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) platform family, designed to accelerate prototyping and certification of utility infrastructure devices - specifically targeting EN 13757-compliant smart gas, water, and heat meters with integrated RF, security, and low-power operation.

FAQ

What communication interfaces does STEVAL-IPG001V1 support for sensor and peripheral connectivity?

The board provides I²C for OMRON gas sensor and RTC/EEPROM, SPI for SPIRIT1 RF transceiver and MEMS sensor, UART for IrDA, SWD for debugging, USB 2.0 (full-speed) for host connection, and NFC (via STRNFC module header) for smartphone access to EEPROM data. All interfaces are routed to accessible connectors or footprints.

Does STEVAL-IPG001V1 include production-ready WMBUS firmware or only demonstration code?

It ships with fully functional WMBUS stack firmware preloaded on the STM32L MCU, compliant with EN 13757-4 for both N-mode and S-mode. The included Windows application allows full parameter configuration (e.g., device ID, encryption keys, reporting intervals), and source code is available under ST's license for customization and certification.

Can the gas valve motor driver circuit handle standard 12 V DC solenoid valves?

No - the onboard motor drivers (based on discrete MOSFET half-bridges) are rated for ≤5 V operation and optimized for low-voltage DC motors used in compact gas meters. Driving 12 V solenoids requires external high-side switching circuitry; the board provides control signals (M_DRIVE_1–4) but not power-stage voltage boosting.

Is the LCD display configurable for custom characters or only fixed segments?

The board uses a 4×42 segment LCD controller driven directly by the STM32L's built-in LCD peripheral. It supports static, multiplexed (1/2, 1/3, 1/4 bias), and customizable segment mapping - enabling user-defined symbols, numeric digits, and status icons via firmware configuration of COM/SEG registers.