Semtech Adds to ISM-Band RF Transceiver Platform

CAMARILLO, CA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq:SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, announced the SX1211, a UHF radio frequency (RF) transceiver with the industry's lowest receiver (RX) current consumption (<3mA), significantly increasing battery life in wireless sensor network applications.

The SX1211 is optimized for asynchronous sensor network designs in the unlicensed industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) frequency bands (868—870 MHz and 902—928 MHz) where low RX power consumption is critical to battery life as the receiver is constantly waking up to sniff for signals.

Key applications include security and alarm systems, sub-metering, industrial monitoring and control, building automation and KONNEX systems.

The SX1211's RX current consumption is up to five times lower than competitive solutions, resulting in up to five years in battery life for sensor applications. In addition to a low RX current, the device also features a 64-byte FIFO buffer that enables more power efficient batch data transfers between the transceiver and microcontroller. Transmit power consumption at 10 dBm is 25 mA.

With support for both frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation and on-off keying (OOK) modulation, the SX1211 can be used for both new and legacy sensor network designs. The device supports FSK data rates from 1.56 to 100 Kbps and OOK data rates up to 32 Kbps. Receiver sensitivity for FSK modulation is –104 dBm at 25 Kbps and for OOK is –110 dBm at 2 Kbps.

"More automation and security applications are moving to RF with distributed battery powered devices, which is putting more pressure on designers to deliver longer battery life," said Rob Whittaker, Manager, ISM Wireless Product Group in Semtech's Advanced Communications & Sensing Business Unit. "The SX1211 leverages 20 years of low-power RF development to deliver that battery life, along with great signal sensitivity in both FSK and OOK modulation schemes—making it an ideal choice for new or updated designs."

The SX1211 is part of Semtech's complete line of ISM-band transceivers, which offer industry leading link budget and power efficient technologies. All major RF communication parameters are programmable and can be configured dynamically, with RF output power programmable up to 12.5 dBm in eight steps.

The SX1211 operates over a supply voltage range of 2.1V to 3.6V. It meets regulatory standards for both Europe (ETSI EN 300- 220-1) and North America (FCC parts 15.247 and 15.249), for both digital modulation (DTS) and frequency hopping systems. The SX1211 is provided in a 5 x 5 mm TQFN32 RoHS-compliant package.

Key Features of the SX1211

  • Power consumption: 3 mA receive and 25 mA transmit at 10 dBm output power
  • Programmable RF output power: up to 12.5 dBm
  • FSK reception sensitivity: down to –104 dBm at 25 Kbps
  • OOK reception sensitivity: down to –110 dBm at 2 Kbps
  • Bit rates up to 100 Kbps with NRZ coding
  • 64-byte FIFO for transmit /receive data buffering and transfer via SPI bus
  • Incoming sync word recognition
  • RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) range from noise floor to 0 dBm
  • Packet handling, CRC generation and data whitening
  • Built-in bit-synchronizer for incoming data and clock synchronization and recovery

Pricing and Availability
The SX1211 product (order code: SX1211I084TRT) is available immediately in production quantities and is priced at $1.79 each in 3,000-piece minimum lots. Semtech offers comprehensive design assistance, including field- and factory-based support. Data sheets, volume pricing, and delivery quotes, as well as evaluation kits and samples, are available by contacting [email protected].

About Semtech
Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of high-quality analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products. The company is dedicated to providing customers with proprietary solutions and breakthrough technology in power management, protection, test & measurement, advanced communications and wireless connectivity products. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol SMTC. For more information, contact Semtech Corp. at 200 Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012-8790; phone (805) 498-2111; email [email protected]; or visit its Web site.

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