Next generation low power wireless chipset released

Electronics Technology

17 November 2004 Electronics Technology

Integration Associates, the fabless semiconductor company that developed the EZRadio FSK (frequency shift keying) receiver/transmitter wireless chipset, has revealed its latest offering, the IA4420 and IA4421 transceivers. These new transceivers enable advanced bi-directional communication for low cost, high performance wireless applications in the consumer electronics, automotive, toy, home automation and building security markets.

The highly integrated EZRadio transceivers are completely software programmable, providing flexibility to electronic designers, and also combine the company's unique Automatic Antenna Tuning technology. The RF chipset provides extremely reliable connectivity, while dramatically reducing the bill of materials and production costs, claims the company. In addition, it includes features designed to extend battery life and enable the use of less expensive crystals and microcontrollers.

Key features of the EZRadio transceiver chipsets include:

* Highly programmable - choice of unlicensed band (315, 433, 868, 915 MHz), LNA gain, baseband bandwidth (67-400 kHz), data rate (256 Kbps maximum bit rate), automatic frequency control, crystal load capacitance, output power level, FSK modulation deviation.

* Automatic antenna tuning - eliminates the need for production line tuning costs and ensures optimal RF transmission throughout the product lifecycle. Helps take the guesswork out of the design process, eliminates the need for expensive RF engineering, and delivers a robust wireless link.

* Fully integrated on-chip RF features - requires only two external components, a crystal and a low-cost microcontroller, reducing BOM and simplifying design-in.

* Automatic frequency control - automatically tunes to the incoming signal, allowing use of inexpensive crystal without compromising the radio link.

* Key radio management functions - performs functions such as data recovery and timing without a microcontroller, allowing use of a less expensive microcontroller.

* Clock source available - no second crystal if a microcontroller is used.

* Fast, reliable frequency hopping - counters interference and multipath fading enable over 100 devices to be used in the same environment.

* High impedance loop antenna - can be etched directly onto the circuit board.

The EZRadio transceiver is available in two versions: IA4420 (low power 4 dB amplifier); and IA4421 (high power 8 dB amplifier.) The EZRadio FSK wireless chipset family also includes the IA4220 low power transmitter, the IA4221 high power transmitter, and the IA4320 receiver.

Rob McMaster, NuVision Electronics, +27 (0)11 894 8214, [email protected]

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Next generation low power wireless chipset released

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