Ultra-low-power transceiver extends battery life

Battery-replacement intervals for wireless sensor networks can be extended up to five years by using the SX1211 UHF transceiver from Semtech Corporation.

The maximum receiver current for the SX1211 is less than 3mA, leading to increased battery lifetimes in asynchronous distributed-sensor networks where the receiver periodically wakes to search for signals. In addition to the low receiver current, the device also features a 64-byte FIFO buffer that enables more power-efficient batchdata transfers between the transceiver and microcontroller. Active current draw is also low, at 25mA for +10dBm transmitted signal power.

Support for FSK and OOK modulation allows the SX1211 to be used for both new and legacy sensor-network designs. The device supports FSK data rates from 1.56kbit/s to 150kbit/s and OOK data rates up to 32kbit/s. Receiver sensitivity for FSK modulation is -107dBm at 25kbit/s and for OOK is -113dBm at 2kbit/s.

 

FEATURES Operating frequency bands: 863-870MHz, 902-928MHz, 950-960MHz Packet-handling capabilities Incoming sync-word recognition On-chip frequency synthesiser Built-in bit synchroniser

APPLICATIONS Wireless alarm and security systems Wireless sensor networks Automated meter reading Home and building automation Industrial monitoring and control

 

 

Semtech / SX1211