Microchip Offers Sub-GHz Transceiver Radios

CHANDLER, AZ -- Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, announced from the Sensors Expo in Chicago the expansion of its RF Products Division wireless portfolio with the new MRF49XA sub-GHz transceiver radio. The MRF49XA covers the 434/868/915 MHz unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) Radio Frequency (RF) band, which is ideal for low–data rate, low-power embedded wireless applications. By retaining compatibility with its existing suite of development tools, Microchip makes it easy to integrate this new sub-GHz transceiver with any 8-, 16- or 32-bit PIC microcontroller, enabling cost-effective designs for a wide range of, bi-directional, short-range wireless applications, such as remote controls, remote meter reading, and home security/alarms.

"The new MRF49XA transceiver is a great addition to our current rfPIC family of sub-GHz solutions, and expands our overall wireless portfolio beyond 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee products," said Steve Caldwell, Director of Microchip's RF Products Division.

Development Tools
The MRF49XA transceiver radio is available on a PICtail™/PICtail Plus daughter board for easy integration with the 8-bit PIC18 Explorer and 16/32-bit Explorer 16 modular microcontroller development boards. The 434 MHz Daughter Board (part # AC164137-1, $39.99 for a two-pack) and 868/915 MHz Daughter Board (part # AC164137-2, $39.99 for a two-pack) are both available today at microchipDIRECT.

Microchips full suite of world-class development tools further enables easy integration of the MRF49XA transceiver radio with more than 550 PIC® microcontrollers. Available tools include the free MPLAB® IDE integrated development environment, the MPLAB REAL ICE™ emulation system, the MPLAB ICD 3 in-circuit debugger, the PICkit™ 3 low-cost debugger/programmer and Microchip's free C compilers.

Availability and Pricing
Samples are available now in 16-pin TSSOP packaging, and the MRF49XA Sub-GHz transceiver radio is expected to be available for volume production next month. Pricing starts at $1.63 each, in 10,000-unit quantities. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's online Wireless Design Center.

Microchip Customer Support
Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas on the company's Web site. The support area provides a fast way to get questions answered. The sample area offers evaluation samples of any Microchip device. microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory, and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools. Finally, the training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.

About Microchip
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost, and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, AZ, Microchip offers outstanding technical support, along with dependable delivery and quality.

The Microchip name and logo, PIC, rfPIC, and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. PICtail, PICkit, and REAL ICE are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.