STMicroelectronics Introduces Affordable Wireless Transceivers for eUSB Connectivity STMicroelectronics has recently unveiled a pair of new short-range wireless transceiver ICs, the ST60A3H0 and ST60A3H1, which aim to remove the need for cables and connectors in various consumer-friendly accessories and personal electronics such as digital cameras, wearables, portable hard drives, and small gaming terminals. These transceivers also address data-transfer challenges in industrial applications, particularly in rotating machinery.
These cost-effective transceivers allow designers to create products with slim, aperture-free cases, making them stylish and water-resistant while enabling convenient wireless docking. Their self-discovery feature with instant mating saves pairing time, while their low power consumption preserves battery life. They operate in the 60GHz V-band and provide eUSB2, I2C, SPI, UART, and GPIO tunneling.
With minimal energy consumption and the ability to handle exchanges at up to 480Mbit/s, consistent with the USB 2.0 High-Speed specification, the ST60A3H0 and ST60A3H1 offer cable-like speed and low latency for wireless connections. The ST60A3H1 comes with an integrated antenna in a compact 3mm x 4mm VFBGA package, while the ST60A3H0 is designed for an external antenna with a smaller 2.2mm x 2.6mm footprint, providing flexibility for diverse applications.
In industrial environments, these wireless transceivers offer safe galvanic isolation and immunity to environmental hazards, making them suitable for rotating machinery, radars, lidars, and mobile equipment like robotic arms. Their lifetime is not limited by the number of rotations, ensuring greater reliability than slip rings, particularly for high data rate signals, and at a lower cost than fiber-optic rotating joints (FORJ).
These transceivers are easy to use, as they do not require software drivers or a protocol stack. They enable fast, efficient contactless product testing and debugging, including firmware loading over the air (FOTA), during manufacture and after sales. The ST60A3H0 and ST60A3H1 are in full production and are covered by ST’s 10-year product-longevity program, ensuring long-term support and availability. Samples are available now, priced at $5.00. Detailed technical data, evaluation kits, and production pricing are available under a non-disclosure agreement.
For more information, please visit www.st.com/en/wireless-connectivity/60-ghz-contactless-products.html.
