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STMicroelectronics Joins Ultra-Wide Band Alliance

December 23, 2020 by Alessandro Mascellino

Electronics manufacturer STMicroelectronics has joined the Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) Alliance as a Promoter Class Member, the company announced on Monday.

Following the move, Jean-Marie André, Head of the STM32 UWB wireless product line at STMicroelectronics, will join the UWB Board of Directors. André will now help UWB to promote the large-scale deployment of UWB technology around the world.

 

Image used courtesy of STMicroelectronics/UWB.
Image used courtesy of STMicroelectronics/UWB.

 

The Ultra-Wide Band Alliance

Founded in 2019, the UWB Alliance focuses on providing a regulatory and spectrum management landscape to foster the growth and standardization of UWB applications at a global level.

The standardization work performed by the Alliance and its members focuses on the 802.15.4z technical standard, commonly defining the operation of low-rate wireless personal area networks (LR-WPANs).

Activities under the UWB Alliance umbrella include working to secure novel advantageous regulations in the upcoming reviews in the USA and Europe, as well as suggesting the new spectrum and frequency bands like 12.4 GHz and higher.

The Alliance today counts 26 members, including a number of industrial automation leaders like SICK, Analog Devices, and Hyundai.

Earlier this month, the organization launched a new service offering in collaboration with Humatics, to aid the micro-location and industrial mobility solutions provider with guidance, strategies, and support related to the development of innovative UWB technologies.

From December 14th, 2020, STMicroelectronics is now also part of the UWB Alliance.

“I am delighted to welcome Jean-Marie to our Board of Directors and look forward to contributions from the STMicroelectronics team to the UWB Alliance organization and working groups,” said Tim Harrington, Chairman of the Alliance.

The UWB Board of Directors also includes Dag Wisland from presence sensor producer Novelda and Luc Darmon from semiconductor manufacturer Qorvo.

 

STMicroelectronics and UWB

STMicroelectronics has extensive experience in the UWB space, having in the years developed a number of 802.15.4z connectivity solutions. Moreover, the company recently acquired UWB chip firm BeSpoon to strengthen the wireless connectivity capabilities of its STM32 microcontroller family.

"As a leader in the UWB space, ST feels a responsibility to contribute towards regulatory development in the EU and USA," André said. "With UWB being widely adopted in consumer products, we join the UWB Alliance to offer our 10-year experience in the field and play a significant role in continuing this trend."

STMicroelectronics is joining the UWB Alliance at a crucial time for the technology.

According to the electronics manufacturer, three of the top-ten smartphone vendors in the world today have all introduced UWB into their latest mobile phones, with the technology also being integrated into various flagship PC and smart-wearable products.

Beyond consumers’ products, UWB is also being deployed by technology companies in a number of innovative ways, including passive keyless car entry, high-resolution COVID-19 contact tracing, secure payment solutions, AR/VR, entertainment, medical, and others.

Documentation related to the Alliance’s principles and confidentiality agreement can be found here. For more information about the UWB Alliance members and mission, you can follow this link here.