"Contactless Data Link 'ST60' Offers Extreme Design Freedom"
'Virtual Connector' Replacing 60GHz Band Cables and Connectors
Rotational and repetitive movements reduce cable wear and downtime, increasing reliability.
[Editor's Note] Wired connectors cause cable wear, poor contact, and design complexity in environments involving rotational and repetitive operations, resulting in significant maintenance and TCO burdens. Consequently, wireless connectors are gaining attention. Among them, the ST60 replaces physical connectors with a 60GHz contactless link, reducing downtime and maintenance costs while increasing design flexibility. Cases of improved productivity in areas such as mass production of wearables have also been confirmed. In particular, the fact that the ST60 is not merely a wireless communication chip but a contactless interconnect solution that replaces connectors is appealing to developers. Against this backdrop, STMicroelectronics is scheduled to hold a webinar on July 2nd titled " Beyond Connectors to Contactless: The ST60, an Ultra-Short-Range High-Speed Wireless Data Link Using 60GHz." Accordingly, this publication met with ST’s Director Park Joong-ho and Deputy General Manager Cho Dong-hee, who are presenting at this webinar, to hear about points to consider when developing with the ST60 and wireless communication chips.
▲ (From left) STMicroelectronics Director Park Joong-ho and Deputy General Manager Cho Dong-hee
Also, please explain what the most direct effect of the ST60 is in solving these problems.
Director Park Joong-ho Currently, the biggest structural limitation of wired connector systems in the fields of industrial automation and robotics is that cables and connectors are physically worn out in environments with a lot of rotation and repetitive motion.
In systems with repetitive movements, such as robot arms, rotary tables, and mobile equipment, cable twisting, disconnection, poor contact, and connector wear occur easily, directly affecting equipment reliability and maintenance costs.
In addition, as the system design becomes complex due to cable harnesses and connectors, there are limitations on miniaturizing equipment or simplifying the structure.
According to examples from the field, POGO pins frequently used in industrial equipment can gradually lose reliability after exceeding approximately 100,000 to 1 million contact cycles, so they are often replaced preventively every 3 to 6 months before actual failures occur.
While it is positive in that it prevents downtime in advance, it has limitations in that it ultimately leads to the burden of preventive maintenance and increased operating costs.
From this perspective as well, the non-contact method is an alternative well worth considering.
The reasons why client companies consider switching to contactless methods can be broadly summarized into three categories.
First, it is to reduce the burden associated with connector defects and replacement cycles in processes where equipment downtime directly leads to losses.
Second, it is to simplify the equipment design by eliminating slip rings and complex wiring from the rotary structure.
Third, it is to secure design freedom to implement new architectures, such as miniaturization and sealed designs.
Solve these problemsThe most direct benefit of the ST60 in terms of its effectiveness is that it enables high-speed data links in the 60GHz band without physical connectors.
This reduces cable wear and contact failure issues, and enables a simpler and more stable system configuration even in rotating structures.
As a result, improved design freedom, reduced maintenance burden, and enhanced long-term reliability can be expected.
▲ STMicroelectronics Director Park Joong-ho
ST60 is a contactless data link solution utilizing the 60GHz band, and its biggest feature is that it can enable high-speed communication without a connector.
Among them, the point I want to emphasize most is not the high-speed data transmission itself, but the low-latency link that operates stably in industrial environments.
In industrial real-time control systems, predictability regarding when data arrives is a critical factor, and ST60 has a structural advantage over general-purpose wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi or BLE in this regard.
■ Is there any shareable data or feedback regarding the actual extent of maintenance cost savings from repetitive exercise equipment? Director Park Joong-ho officialWhile it is difficult to directly disclose the actual savings figures, there are patterns commonly identified in field feedback.
In equipment subject to concentrated repetitive motion, maintenance costs related to connectors and cables account for a significant portion of the total cost of ownership (TCO).
In particular, preventive replacement is virtually mandatory for contact-type connectors after a certain cycle, which results in a complex mix of costs, including not only parts but also opportunity costs due to line stoppages and indirect costs such as the deployment of inspection personnel.
In addition, the ST60A3 has been applied to the mass production process of wearable devices since 2022, providing contactless connectivity for FW uploading and debugging.
This case demonstrates that beyond reducing maintenance costs, it can lead to a reduction in production costs per unit by shortening processing times in the mass production process and increasing output per hour.
In conclusion, the core value of the contactless method lies not merely in reducing parts replacement costs, but in structural TCO improvements, including reduced downtime, extended maintenance cycles, and enhanced productivity.
.jpg)
▲ STMicroelectronics Deputy Manager Jo Dong-hee
The most common mistake engineers making when first introducing the ST60 is the entire system rather than the wireless link itself.It does not sufficiently reflect the design conditions from the perspective of the item.
For example, the distance between antennas, alignment errors, surrounding metal structures, casing material, and mechanical deviations during actual use are often underestimated.
In addition, due to the characteristics of 60GHz, even if it operates well over short distances, the expected performance may not be achieved unless link margin or PVT (Process, Voltage, Temperature) fluctuations are taken into account.
What is important here is to understand ST60 not as a general-purpose wireless network technology like WiFi, BLE, or NFC, but as a virtual connector that replaces cables or connectors.
This approach clarifies design goals and helps meet the necessary antenna distance, alignment, and mechanical conditions at the system level.
Ultimately, the best way to minimize errors is to view the ST60 not as a 'wireless communication module,' but as a system element for contactless connection.
To reduce such trial and error, ST provides comprehensive technical support including reference designs, board configuration guides, antenna placement recommendations, and link condition reviews.
Proof of Concept (PoC) support tailored to the customer's actual mechanical structure is also available.
ST's differentiator lies in the fact that it goes beyond simply supplying chips to providing engineering support from a system integration perspective, starting from the initial design stage.
■ How do you foresee the position the ST60 will occupy in the future industrial wireless interconnect market? In addition, please introduce any application cases where a client company has attempted new product design methods using the ST60.
Director Park Joong-ho The ST60 is expected to establish itself in the future industrial wireless interconnect market as a contactless connection solution that replaces or complements existing wired connectors.
In particular, for systems with rotating structures, repetitive motion equipment, and heavy maintenance burdens, the greatest value can be realized when approached using the concept of a Virtual Connector rather than simple wireless communication.
In addition to the mass production process of wearable devices mentioned earlier, applications can be expanded to various areas in the industrial sector, such as robot arms, rotating equipment, and test equipment.
The change that the ST60 will bring goes beyond simply eliminating cables; it enables new architectural designs in areas where physical connectivity is a constraint.
In addition, although it is difficult to disclose specific details at this time, we anticipate meaningful changes in various industrial application fields through our next-generation products currently in development.
I would like to ask for your advice on the core message you wish to emphasize most in this webinar, as well as the essential points engineers need to know first when understanding the ST60. Director Park Joong-ho The key message I want to emphasize most in this webinar is that the ST60 is not just a simple wireless communication chip, but a contactless interconnect solution that replaces connectors.
I believe the most essential point engineers need to know first when understanding the ST60 lies right here.
In other words, ST60 is not a technology that replaces universal wireless connections like WiFi or BLE, In systems with mechanical constraints, the most accurate approach is to use virtual connectors to eliminate cables and connectors.
From this perspective, what is important during design is distance, alignment, casing, link margin, and mechanical conditions in the actual usage environment, rather than the wireless protocol itself.
I would like to emphasize that the value of the ST60 lies not merely in "connecting wirelessly," but in transforming the inconvenient or wasteful structure of wired connections into a simpler and more reliable one.
For more information regarding the ST60, please refer to
60 GHz contactless products - STMicroelectronics .
기사입력2026.06.19 15:43
Ezurio ST60이란 모델이 있어서 같은 건줄 알았네요