RF Transceiver Makes Zigbee-Product Entrance

Feb. 1, 2004

Interest is steadily building around the new low-data-rate wireless standard known as IEEE 802.15.4. Among this connectivity standard's applications is the creation of a wireless control web for building automation, industrial monitoring-controlling systems, and sensor networks. Collaborating companies have even created the ZigBee Alliance to foster the development of such wireless-control products.

Hoping to ride the interest in ZigBee-based products, Norway's Chipcon AS is announcing a high-performance, low-power, low-data-rate RFIC. The company claims that the CC2420 is the industry's first 2.4-GHz IEEE 802.15.4-compliant RF transceiver. It will be used as a general 2.4-GHz, direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) device for a number of proprietary solutions that aren't already using 802.15.4 or ZigBee.

The RFIC is based on Chipcon's SmartRF 03 technology in 0.18-µm CMOS. It requires few external components. In addition, the CC2420 claims to surpass the IEEE 802.15.4 standard in terms of selectivity and sensitivity figures. In accordance with the standard, it supports a 250-Kbps data rate.

By supporting the AES-128-based data-encryption and authentication requirements, the CC2420 provides a high level of security. In addition, the chip enables the following: packet radio; data buffering (128-B receive + 128-B transmit); burst transmissions; clear-channel assessment; link-quality indication; and timing information. By reducing the load on the host microcontroller, these functions allow the CC2420 to interface with low-cost microcontrollers.

Chipcon AS developed the CC2420 in cooperation with Ember Corp. (www.ember.com). It will be sold as a bundle with Ember's Embedded Wireless Networking software (marketed as EM2420).

Customers of the CC2420 also will receive the IEEE 802.15.4 MAC-layer software. The CC2420 is offered in a 7-x-7-mm QFN-48 package. Development kits, samples, and volume shipments are all available now. In volume quantities, pricing for the CC2420 is in the range of $3 (U.S.).

Chipcon, Inc.19925 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014-2358; (408) 973-7845, FAX: (408) 973-2408, www.chipcon.com.

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About the Author

John Blyler

John Blyler has more than 18 years of technical experience in systems engineering and program management. His systems engineering (hardware and software) background encompasses industrial (GenRad Corp, Wacker Siltronics, Westinghouse, Grumman and Rockwell Intern.), government R&D (DoD-China Lake) and university (Idaho State Univ, Portland State Univ, and Oregon State Univ) environments. John is currently the senior technology editor for Penton Media’s Wireless Systems Design (WSD) magazine. He is also the executive editor for the WSD Update e-Newsletter.

Mr. Blyler has co-authored an IEEE Press (1998) book on computer systems engineering entitled: ""What's Size Got To Do With It: Understanding Computer Systems."" Until just recently, he wrote a regular column for the IEEE I&M magazine. John continues to develop and teach web-based, graduate-level systems engineering courses on a part-time basis for Portland State University.

John holds a BS in Engineering Physics from Oregon State University (1982) and an MS in Electronic Engineering from California State University, Northridge (1991).