Atmel Offers a Feature-rich UHF ASK/FSK Receiver/Transmitter Family for Industrial Applications

The UHF ASK/FSK receiver ICs ATA8201 (313 ¨C 317 MHz) and ATA8202 (433 ¨C 435 MHz) are an ideal option for low-cost industrial RF receiving systems with low power consumption requirements. The ICs include an integrated IF filter, low-phase-noise VCO, PLL, and loop filter, and as such require few external devices and no external filters ¨C adding to their cost-efficiency. Their fully integrated filters provide the best combination of large bandwidth and excellent receiving selectivity, which enables the large transmit and receive distances typically required for industrial applications. These transparent receivers can be operated with a separate microcontroller for bit check and polling modes. Additionally, the ICs' large oscillation margin, enables the use of very low-cost crystals.

The UHF ASK/FSK PLL transmitter ICs ATA8401 (310 ¨C 350 MHz), ATA8402 (423 ¨C 439 MHz), and ATA8403 (868 ¨C 928 MHz) are designed for low-cost RF transmission systems in industrial and consumer applications with data rates up to 50 kBaud (ASK) and 32 kBaud (FSK) respectively. These transmitters feature an integrated PLL loop filter, ESD protection, a CLK output for clocking the microcontroller, and a single-ended antenna output with a highly efficient power amplifier. Easy-to-design-in solutions are possible due to the superb isolation of the PLL from the power amplifier and the power supply. Only minimum external circuitry is necessary.

The ATA8x0x series evolved from Atmel's well-known automotive-qualified receiver and transmitter ICs. While functionally identical and fully pin-compatible to those automotive products, the ATA8x0x series is specified at the -40¡ãC to 85¡ãC operating temperature range for cost-sensitive industrial and consumer applications.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the ATA8x0x family and development boards are now available. Pricing for the ATA820x receiver ICs starts at US$1.26 and for the ATA840x transceiver ICs at US$0.71 for 10k piece quantities.

Footnote

ASK = Amplitude Shift Keying

CLK = Clock

ESD = Electro Static Discharge

FSK = Frequency Shift Keying

IF = Intermediate Frequency

PLL = Phase-locked Loop

UHF = Ultra High Frequency

VCO = Voltage-controlled Oscillator