Date: 20/05/2012

Fully integrated RF transmitter from Semtech for remote control systems

Semtech Corporation has expanded its RFIC platform with the new SX1243, a fully integrated FSK / OOK radio transmitter designed to replace a surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based resonator transmitters in garage door openers, remote keyless entry (RKE) and other consumer remote control systems.

The company says that the SX1243 features a fractional-N phase lock loop (PLL), which delivers higher performance and more flexibility, while minimizing the BOM cost versus traditional SAW-based resonator designs. The part covers the frequency bands from 310 MHz to 450 MHz, 860 MHz to 870 MHz, as well as 902 MHz to 928 MHz which makes it suited for worldwide operation and regulatory compliance for FCC 15.231/15.247, ARIB and European products under EN 300-220.

The SX1243 has low active current consumption of 11mA at +10dBm OOK or 15mA at +10dBm FSK that extends battery life. The SX1243 features Semtech's Power & Go technology that reduces cost by eliminating the need for a microcontroller (MCU) to configure the part.

"Semtech is known as a leader in RF devices that deliver performance and low power, and the SX1243 builds on that position with added performance and cost advantages," said Hardy Schmidbauer, director of wireless ISM products for Semtech. "The ability to use the part without an MCU gives it an advantage in both flexibility and cost." While the SX1243 offers designers the benefit of significant board space savings, its small size and RoHS & WEEE compliance also contributes to energy conservation and hazardous waste reduction.

Features:
1. +10 dBm or 0 dBm configurable output power
2. 100nA sleep current
3. Bit rates up to 100 kbps
4. OOK and FSK modulation
5. 1.8 to 3.7 V supply range
6. Fractional-N PLL with 1.5 kHz typical step
7. Frequency agility for FHSS modulation
8. FCC Part 15.247 DTS mode compliant
9. DFN8 package

Applications:
1. Garage door openers
2. Low-cost consumer electronic applications
3. Remote keyless entry (RKE)
4. Remote control/security systems

The SX1243WS is available immediately in production quantities and is priced at $0.55 each in 10,000 pieces.