STMicroelectronics 2024 19
allows for internal security, rapid response times to events,
and the eventual backhaul to an internet connection through
a secured hub. In addition, the network can easily be
expanded to accommodate many nodes that may be in a
physically close area. The key contribution of this topology
is that it is private and controls a specific function.
To address these use cases, the STM32WL is used as
the basis of a new network architecture that delivers an
expanded-footprint, mobility-capable private network using
GFSK modulation. The keys to delivering this successfully
are the implementation of a hub-node architecture (Figure
2) and the ability of the hubs and nodes to operate in peer-
to-peer mode. Compared with a typical LoRaWAN network,
the distribution of nodes is tightly controlled over a much
shorter distribution distance profile, allowing hubs and
nodes to interact with each other.
In this architecture, general nodes (as opposed to relay
nodes, which will be discussed later) are associated with
one hub, thus creating a network of devices. A general
node is typically a device that hosts sensors and/or GPS
Master 1
Node 2
Node 1
Master 1
Node 2
Node 1
Relay
Figure 2: Typical multi-node and network extension model. (Source: STMicroelectronics)
