ZigBee front-end modules
16 September 2008
Skyworks Solutions and Ember have developed what they believe are the first ZigBee front-end modules.
The modules are for smart meters in energy management, home area networks and industrial automation.
Ember’s EM250 SoC with the EmberZNet Pro networking stack is claimed to be the only one available that supports the ZigBee PRO Feature set. It integrates an IEEE 802.15.4 radio, a 16bit microprocessor, flash, RAM and peripherals. The EM260 is the industry’sf first network co-processor that combines a 2.4GHz IEEE 802.15.4 compliant radio transceiver with a flash-based microprocessor running the EmberZNet PRO ZigBee stack. It allows developers to add ZigBee networking to a preferred application microprocessor via a fast SPI/UART interface.
The SKY65336 is an 8mm x 8mm multi-chip modules front end module which comprises a selectable transmit and receive path. The Tx path has a harmonic filter and power amplifier which delivers 20dBm at the output port. The Rx path has a low noise amplifier which has an Rx path noise figure of 1.9dB including switch loss. Both paths integrate baluns to provide differential ports to the EM250 and EM260 transceivers.
The SKY65337 is footprint-compatible with the SKY65336, with the low nouse amplifier removed to save cost. The Tx path delivers 20dBm output, while balanced input and output ports connect to the EM250 and EM260.
The wireless network front end modules reduce component size, cost and power consumption, claims Ember’s Bob Gohn.
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