Global semiconductor company STMicroelectronics (ST) is accelerating its push into the automotive and smart device markets by introducing a new family of chips featuring next-generation ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless technology.

On the 16th, ST announced the ST64UWB family, which enables precise location recognition even at distances of up to several hundred meters.

This new product is a fully integrated UWB solution that supports not only the existing IEEE 802.15.4z but also the next-generation standard IEEE 802.15.4ab, and is the first in the industry to simultaneously apply Narrow-Band Assistance (NBA) wireless and Multi-Millisecond (MMS) technologies.

The ST64UWB is designed based on ST's 18nm FD-SOI process technology to provide excellent RF performance and stability. This enables new use cases in various fields, such as automotive digital keys, smart home access control, smart building security, and industrial access management.

In particular, the IEEE 802.15.4ab standard significantly expands the operating range compared to existing UWB technology and enables stable communication even in non-line-of-sight environments. It enhances user convenience by increasing connectivity with smartphones in bags or pockets, and enables more accurate identification of user intent through near-field direction finding capabilities. The enhanced radar mode also contributes to the implementation of safety features, such as in-vehicle child detection.

ST's strategy with this product is to provide a UWB platform optimized for automotive, consumer, and industrial applications. Samples of the ST64UWB are currently being supplied to major component suppliers and automakers.

Market research firms predict that IEEE 802.15.4ab will be key to the future expansion of UWB technology. By significantly improving performance while maintaining backward compatibility with existing standards, rapid market expansion is expected, centered on smartphones and vehicles.

An ST official stated, “The ST64UWB is a solution that enhances precision distance measurement and sensing capabilities based on next-generation wireless standards,” adding, “It will play a key role in creating new user experiences in the automotive and smart device sectors.”