7 May 2012

RFMD teams with Silicon Labs to deliver sub-GHz solution for smart energy applications

RF Micro Devices Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA has teamed with Silicon Laboratories Inc of Austin, TX, USA, which provides analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, to deliver sub-gigahertz solutions for a broad range of smart grid applications.

RFMD’s RF6569 smart energy front-end module (FEM) and Silicon Labs’ EZRadioPRO Si4464/63 transceivers have been combined to create the RF6569/Si4464/63 reference design (part number 4463-TCE30E915R-EK).

Silicon Labs' EZRadioPRO family of transmitters, receivers and transceivers extends the benefits of its EZRadio family, such as high integration, low cost, flexibility and easy design-in, into ISM-band applications. The firm says that EZRadioPRO devices offer enhanced parameters and features including continuous frequency coverage over 119-1050MHz and output power up to +20dBm. They also include built-in features such as a wake-up timer, low battery detector, transmit and receive data FIFOs, power-on reset circuit and general-purpose digital I/Os.

The new high-performance sub-GHz solution aims to provide public utilities and consumers more control over how they monitor and save energy, targeting portable battery-powered equipment such as smart energy advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), security and home automation systems, industrial control systems, and sensor networks in the 902-928MHz and 868MHz ISM (industrial, scientific & medical) bands.

RFMD’s highly integrated RF6569 module features a 915MHz/868MHz 30dBm power amplifier, a Tx harmonic output filter, a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) antenna switch, and an Rx through path. It is housed in a 5.5mm x 5.0mm x 1mm package, reducing discrete component content while minimizing footprint and assembly costs. The transceiver interface is single-ended with separate Rx/Tx.

“RFMD and Silicon Labs are leveraging each other’s expertise to deliver high-performance, highly integrated solutions that reduce design cycle times, lower customer costs, and accelerate product time-to-market,” says Rohan Houlden, general manager of RFMD’s Wireless Connectivity business unit. “RFMD anticipates our collaboration with Silicon Labs will directly benefit our smart energy customers while supporting continued growth in the burgeoning smart energy marketplace,” he adds.

“The combination of RFMD’s RF6569 module and Silicon Labs’ Si446x EZRadioPRO provides an energy-efficient solution for long-range RF applications such as smart utility metering,” says Greg Fyke, director of wireless products at Silicon Labs. “The 4463-TCE30E915R-EK reference design gives developers an accelerated path to boost output power to 1W in a small form factor without sacrificing exceptional low-power operation.”

Tags: RFMD

Visit: www.silabs.com/EZRadioPRO

Visit: www.rfmd.com