STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-SAFEA1A Secure Element Expansion Board | STSAFE-A110 Cryptographic Shield | For STM32 Nucleo IoT Security
Description
SPIDER Automation STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-SAFEA1A Secure Element Expansion Board provides developers with a robust, cost-effective platform to implement hardware-level security in embedded IoT designs. Centered on the high-security STSAFE-A110 IC, this shield acts as a secure vault for cryptographic keys, digital certificates, and sensitive user data, protecting connected devices against counterfeiting, cloning, and unauthorized network access.
Designed to mount effortlessly onto any STM32 Nucleo development board via standard Arduino UNO R3 headers, the X-NUCLEO-SAFEA1A includes an onboard HE10 extension connector for scaling and connecting auxiliary secure devices. Fully integrated with STMicroelectronics’ Open Development Environment (ODE), it works alongside complimentary software packages like X-CUBE-SAFEA1 and X-CUBE-SBSFU to accelerate the implementation of secure boot, secure firmware updates (SBSFU), and cloud-agnostic mutual authentication.
Key Features
- STSAFE-A110 Cryptographic Core: Dedicated hardware secure element designed to safeguard sensitive keys, certificates, and device identities.
- Universal Nucleo Compatibility: Engineered to plug directly into any standard STM32 Nucleo development board platform.
- Standardized Evaluation Profile: Pre-configured with default security profiles straight out of the box for immediate testing.
- Arduino UNO R3 Pinout: Utilizes standard Arduino layout headers for seamless stacking with other expansion shields and sensors.
- HE10 Extension Connector: Features a dedicated auxiliary header for mounting and cascading additional STSAFE hardware modules.
- Complete Software Ecosystem: Supported by free drivers, middleware, and application examples compatible with the STM32 ODE.
- Secure Boot & Update Ready: Integrates smoothly with SBSFU (Secure Boot and Secure Firmware Update) software packages.
- Hardware-Enforced Defenses: Built-in resistance against physical tampering, side-channel attacks, and invasive fault injection.
Benefits
- Accelerated Security Compliance: Eliminates the complexity of writing custom cryptographic algorithms, reducing time-to-market for secure IoT products.
- Robust Protection Against Cloning: Hardware isolation ensures private keys never leave the secure element, preventing unauthorized device replication.
- Seamless Ecosystem Integration: Native compatibility with STM32Cube IDE and expansion packages simplifies code deployment.
- Modular Scalability: HE10 connector support allows flexible expansion for multi-device or multi-tenant security testing architectures.
Applications
- IoT Cloud Authentication: Secure onboarding and mutual TLS authentication for smart home, industrial, and agricultural IoT nodes connecting to AWS, Azure, or private servers.
- Brand Protection & Anti-Counterfeiting: Secure accessory validation, consumable verification, and replacement part authentication.
- Secure Boot & Firmware Updates: Root-of-trust implementation for validating firmware authenticity prior to execution in connected devices.
- Embedded Systems R&D Labs: Academic and commercial laboratories evaluating hardware-based cryptography and IoT cybersecurity standards.
Package Includes
- 1 x STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-SAFEA1A Secure Element Expansion Board (STSAFE-A110 Module)
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand / Series | SPIDER Automation / STMicroelectronics STM32 Nucleo Security Series |
| Item Type | Hardware Secure Element Expansion Board & Shield |
| Model Order Code / SKU | X-NUCLEO-SAFEA1A / SKU-SPIDER-X-NUCLEO-SAFEA1 |
| Silicon Manufacturer | STMicroelectronics |
| Target Secure Element IC | STSAFE-A110 (Standard Evaluation Profile) |
| Host Board Compatibility | Any STM32 Nucleo Development Board (Arduino UNO R3 & Morpho Layout) |
| Expansion Connectors | Arduino UNO R3 Shield Headers & HE10 Auxiliary Device Connector |
| Software & Driver Support | STM32 Open Development Environment (X-CUBE-SAFEA1, X-CUBE-SBSFU) |
| Board Physical Dimensions | 20 cm Length × 15 cm Width × 3 cm Height (Packaging Dimensions) |
| Package Shipping Weight | 0.08 kg (80 g) |
| Package Shipping Dimensions | 20 cm × 15 cm × 3 cm |
