In today's world, IoT (Internet of Things) devices are everywhere: from smart homes to industrial automation, from connected vehicles to wearables. As the number and diversity of IoT applications continue to grow, developers face the challenge of choosing the best connectivity technology for their specific needs.

One of the most promising wireless standards for IoT is LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network), which offers low-power, long-range communication, secure data transmission, and scalability. STMicroelectronics, a leading provider of microcontrollers and semiconductors, offers an affordable and easy-to-use solution for LoRaWAN development: the STEVAL-MKI119V1 evaluation board.

In this blog post, we will introduce the STEVAL-MKI119V1 board, explain how to set it up, and showcase some of its features and applications.

Overview of the STEVAL-MKI119V1 Board

The STEVAL-MKI119V1 is a plug-and-play evaluation kit that combines STMicroelectronics' STM32L0 microcontroller and the Murata CMWX1ZZABZ LoRaWAN module. The board also includes a set of sensors and actuators, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and light sensors, as well as an RGB LED and a push button. These peripherals provide a convenient way to test the LoRaWAN connectivity and control different aspects of the device.

The STM32L0 microcontroller is based on the ARM Cortex-M0+ core and offers low-power operation, high performance, and a rich set of peripherals. The Murata CMWX1ZZABZ module supports LoRaWAN 1.0.2 Class A and C protocols, as well as FSK modulation, and operates in the 868 MHz or 915 MHz frequency bands. The module also provides a secure element for storing sensitive data, such as cryptographic keys.

Setting Up the STEVAL-MKI119V1 Board

To get started with the STEVAL-MKI119V1 board, you need to follow these steps:

1. Install the software development tools: STMCubeIDE and ST-LINK/V2 driver

2. Download the LoRaWAN software package from STMicroelectronics' website

3. Connect the board to your computer using a USB cable

4. Build and flash the demo application using STMCubeIDE

The demo application included in the software package demonstrates how to establish a LoRaWAN connection, send and receive data, and control the RGB LED and push button. The application code is well documented and easy to understand, even for beginners.

Features and Applications of the STEVAL-MKI119V1 Board

The STEVAL-MKI119V1 board offers a wide range of features and applications, such as:

Low-power operation, thanks to the STM32L0 microcontroller and the LoRaWAN module's duty-cycle control

Long-range communication, up to 10 km in open fields, depending on the environment and the antenna used

Secure data transmission, using AES encryption and hardware-based authentication

Scalable deployment, through the LoRaWAN network server and the cloud-based application server

Sensor and actuator control, for monitoring and controlling the physical world

Application flexibility, through the STM32Cube ecosystem and the LoRaWAN specification

Some of the possible applications of the STEVAL-MKI119V1 board include:

Smart agriculture, for monitoring soil moisture, temperature, and light levels

Smart cities, for tracking environmental parameters, such as air quality and noise levels

Industrial automation, for controlling machines and equipment remotely and securely

Asset tracking, for monitoring the location and condition of goods and vehicles

Wearable devices, for measuring vital signs and activity levels

Conclusion

The STEVAL-MKI119V1 evaluation board is a powerful and versatile platform for LoRaWAN development, ideal for prototyping and testing IoT solutions. The board's combination of STM32L0 microcontroller and Murata CMWX1ZZABZ LoRaWAN module provides an optimized and affordable solution for low-power, long-range communication. The board's set of sensors and actuators, as well as the well-documented software package, makes it easy for developers to experiment with different applications and use cases. With the STEVAL-MKI119V1 board, you can bring your IoT ideas to life and connect to the world.