Microsemi / Microchip ZL70550 RF Transceiver

Microsemi / Microchip ZL70550 RF Transceiver is a low-power, sub-GHz radio IC for high- or low-duty-cycle, wireless sensor applications. The ZL70550 Transceiver is optimized for very low power consumption in both active and sleep modes, making it ideal for use in sensor networks that are powered by a coin-cell battery or an energy harvesting power source.

The ZL70550 device operates in unlicensed frequency bands between 779MHz and 965MHz, and offers a maximum raw data rate of 200kbit/s at 2.4mA (typical) with a sensitivity of −95dBm.

The ZL70550 includes the Z‑Star protocol, which is a powerful and highly optimized MAC that performs complete packet transmissions with acknowledgments and automatic retransmissions on failed receptions. This built‑in protocol eliminates the need for processor intervention in packet processing, allowing the processor to go to a power‑save state or to perform other critical application processing. Additionally, the MAC supports other user modes of operation with selectable options like CRC, FEC, and auto length.

The Microsemi / Microchip ZL70550 RF Transceiver is highly integrated, requiring only an antenna, crystal, two decoupling capacitors, and a resistor. Available in a 5mm x 5mm 32-pin QFN (Quad Flat No-leads), and a 2mm x 3mm 29-Pin CSP (Chip Scale Package), the device enables applications with a very small footprint.

Features

Ultralow power
- Typical TX current (with 50Ω match)
- <2.75mA at -10dBm
- <5.3mA at 0dBm
- Typical RX current: <2.4mA (low IRX mode)
- Sleep current: <10nA typical
- Supply: 1.71V to 3.6V
Operating frequency range: 779MHz to 965MHz
- North American ISM band: 902MHz to 928MHz
- European SRD band: 863MHz to 870MHz
- Chinese band: 779MHz to 787MHz
- Japanese bands: 916MHz to 930MHz and 950MHz to 956MHz
Sensitivity and data rate:
- Raw data rate: 200kbit/s, 100kbit/s, or 50kbit/s
- Typical sensitivity :
  - -106dBm @ 50kbit/s; 3.2mA with FEC
  - -103dBm @ 50kbit/s; 2.4mA with FEC
  - -99dBm @ 200kbit/s; 3.2mA without FEC
  - -95dBm @ 200kbit/s; 2.4mA without FEC

Very few external components
- Matching network, crystal, decoupling capacitors, and bias resistor
- Standard interface: SPI bus
Optional built-in MAC
- Microsemi / Microchip Z-Star or user protocol support
- Transmit and receive buffer
- Automatic CSMA packet transfers
- Efficient header optimized for small or large payloads
- Optional preamble, frame sync, length, FEC, and CRC
Package options:
- 29-pin CSP (2mm x 3mm)
- 32-pin QFN (5mm x 5mm)
RoHS compliant