STMicroelectronics STEVAL-MKI237KA

Overview

STEVAL-MKI237KA from STMicroelectronics is a dual-board evaluation kit designed for the LSM6DSV16BX 6-axis inertial measurement unit, featuring Qvar capacitive sensing and bone conduction verification capability. It includes a main DIL24-socketed adapter board and a compact flex-based earphone board, both fully compatible with the STEVAL-MKI109D platform via the STEVAL-MKIGI06A interface.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-MKI237KA datasheet, STEVAL-MKI237KA pinout, STEVAL-MKI237KA application, or STEVAL-MKI237KA equivalent, this kit enables rapid validation of hearable-specific sensor fusion, AI-enhanced motion detection, Qvar-based touchless interaction, and TWS-compatible bone conduction signal acquisition in real-world acoustic environments.

Technical Context

The kit implements two physically separate PCBs: a standard application board with full LSM6DSV16BX pin access (14-pin DIL24 footprint) and a miniature electrode flex board for bone conduction transduction. Both boards expose dedicated QVAR1/QVAR2 and TDM/WCLK/BCLK interfaces for capacitive and audio-domain sensing.

It relies on the STEVAL-MKI109D host platform for USB-to-sensor communication, leveraging its 32-bit microcontroller bridge and MEMS Studio GUI support. Configuration options include SPI-3W/SPI-4W modes and selectable interrupt routing (INT1/INT2), controlled by solder-jumper settings per schematic revision DB4920 Rev 4.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-MKI237KA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for hearable development, AR smart glasses integration, TWS earbud sensor fusion prototyping, and bone conduction UX validation requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for STEVAL-MKI237KA 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 MEMS sensors, microcontrollers, power management, and automotive-grade ICs.

The STEVAL-MKI237KA belongs to ST's professional MEMS evaluation tool family, engineered specifically to accelerate development of AI-enabled hearables, AR wearables, and ultra-low-power motion-aware consumer devices with integrated Qvar and audio-path sensing.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-MKI237KA require external programming hardware?

No. The kit itself is not programmable - it hosts the LSM6DSV16BX sensor only. Programming and data streaming are handled by the connected STEVAL-MKI109D evaluation platform, which contains the embedded 32-bit microcontroller and USB interface. MEMS Studio software runs on the host PC to configure and monitor the sensor.

Can the bone conduction board operate independently of the main adapter board?

No. The flex-based earphone board (JQ connector) lacks power regulation or digital interface circuitry. It must be mated with the main STEVAL-MKI237A board, which provides VDD, ground, QVAR biasing, and signal conditioning. Both boards share common VDD/VDDIO rails and rely on the LSM6DSV16BX's internal analog front-end.

What software tools are supported for configuring Qvar functionality?

Qvar configuration is fully supported in ST's MEMS Studio v5.0 and later, including threshold tuning, filtering, event generation, and real-time waveform visualization. Dedicated Python APIs (via ST's Unicleo-GUI SDK) also enable custom Qvar calibration scripts and integration into automated test benches.

Is the STEVAL-MKI237KA RoHS compliant and REACH certified?

Yes. The STEVAL-MKI237KA evaluation kit complies with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and meets REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 requirements, as confirmed in ST's official DB4920 data brief Rev 4 (June 2025) and product change notifications.