Low-Power FSK Transceivers Cover European, U.S. ISM Bands

Two new single-chip RadioWire frequency-shift-keying (FSK) transceivers target license-free industrial-scientific-medical (ISM) band applications. Operating from 700 MHz to 1 GHz, the MICRF500 covers the European 868-MHz ISM frequency and the U.S. 902- to 928-MHz band. The MICRF501, which operates from 300 to 600 MHz, suits the 433-MHz European ISM frequency and the 300-MHz ISM band in the U.S. The transceivers can transmit and receive FSK data at any rate between 2.4 and 128 kbits/s. With a standby current of less than 1 µA and output power rated at 10 dBm maximum, the devices are ideal for battery-powered systems. Receiving sensitivity is rated at -105 dBm. An on-chip frequency synthesizer ensures that the transceivers can handle multichannel as well as frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum communications. Both units operate with a supply voltage of 2.5 to 3.4 V. Specific applications include telemetry, security systems, low-data-rate networks, industrial, automotive, and medical remote-monitoring systems. The MICRF500 and MICRF501 come in 44-pin LQFPs. In 1000-unit lots, they cost $6 each.

Micrel Semiconductor
www.micrel.com; (408) 944-0800