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STMicroelectronics 2024 3 W e are in a profound technological revolution that will touch the lives of nearly every person on earth. No, we don't mean artificial intelligence. We are describing advances in wireless machine-to- machine networks: the spreading web of communications links that are drawing together the physical things in our world—machines, motors, sensors, processors, and the internet—into networks that will change lives. The change is happening today. Highways and railroads are sprouting sensor networks to boost safety, streamline maintenance, and optimize traffic. Farms are becoming integrated, automated crop-growing systems. Cities and towns are deploying networks to manage energy, congestion, and safety. Public spaces—concert halls, sports arenas, airports, and train stations—are installing networks to deliver tailored, high-quality audio to each of their users. Individual dwellings are linking sensors and smart appliances to create safe, luxurious, energy-efficient living. The foundation for all these changes is wireless networking between things. None of these use cases can be achieved with wired networks. And these wireless networks have some requirements in common. Most nodes must operate on very little energy. And most require low cost—dollars, not hundreds of dollars. And many of these networks will be responsible for lives, health, and property; they must be secure. Finally, many of the organizations that are designing these wireless networks are application experts, not SoC designers or software platform developers. They must be able to start with proven silicon and software stacks, off the shelf. There are also some major differences in requirements among these use cases. Some network links may have to carry tens of megabytes per second, while others will relay only a few bytes per day. Some entire networks will fit in a small apartment, while others may span an urban core and reach beyond into suburbs or countryside. Increasingly, sophisticated industry standards—such as Bluetooth ® Low Energy or LoRaWAN ® —define wireless networks that can meet requirements across this wide space. But standards alone don't make systems. It is our role at STMicroelectronics not just to participate in standards bodies but also to implement these standards in our families of wireless microcontroller chips and modules and to create reference software stacks for real-world use cases. In this eBook, you will find chapters on many use cases, from remote sensor networks to smart cities and homes, from agriculture to public entertainment. We will discuss special requirements for security, private networks, long range, and much more. We will emphasize applications, user experiences, and system requirements. Please read and enjoy! Change Is in the Air By Benoit Rodrigues, Wireless MCU Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics Foreword