No key design
07 September 2010
Reference design platform for keyless entry systems is released.
Semtech and Microchip Technology have announced the availability of a reference design that provides a turnkey platform for highly secure, low-power, multi-band wireless remote keyless entry (RKE) systems.
This new reference design integrates Semtech’s high-performance transmitter and transceiver ICs with Microchip’s KEELOQ code-hopping technology running on PIC microcontrollers (MCUs).
It has been designed to simplify and accelerate the development of secure, high-performance and cost-effective RKE systems for vehicles, office buildings and homes, and provides a single platform that works across virtually all major frequency regulations.
The RKE reference-design hardware includes transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) boards running Microchip’s KEELOQ code-hopping encryption software and Microchip MCUs. The Tx board pairs Semtech’s SX1230 industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band transmitter with Microchip’s PIC16F631 or PIC16F677 8bit MCUs. The Rx board employs Semtech’s SX1211 or SX1212 ISM transceivers, again with Microchip’s PIC16F631 or PIC16F677 MCUs.
The SX1230 is a multi-band ISM transmitter that complies with virtually all major country-specific radio regulations. It is fully configurable and dynamically programmable for narrowband and wideband applications in the 315, 434, 868 and 915MHz license-free ISM frequency bands, and works with FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK and OOK modulation formats up to 600 kb/s, with constant RF performance over the 1.8V to 3.7V operating range. The device features 30mA current consumption at +10dBm output power and 500nA sleep mode current for increased battery life. RF output power is programmable up to +17dBm in 1dB steps from -20dBm.
The SX1210/1/2/3 family offers a broad range of pin-to-pin compatible ISM-band transceivers and receivers, covering all worldwide unlicensed bands from 300MHz to 510MHz and from 863MHz to 960MHz. The key strength of this family is its receiver (Rx) current consumption of less than 3mA, while providing high bit rates of more than 150kbps, along with a state-of-the-art packet engine and complete flexibility via register programming.
This new RKE reference design kit uses Microchip’s KEELOQ code-hopping technology running on Microchip’s PIC microcontrollers. The KEELOQ security algorithm encrypts information in the RF transmission packets before they are transmitted, unlike other RKE systems. This solution from Semtech and Microchip stores confidential information inside the Flash memory of the PIC microcontroller and then encrypts it inside each data packet, prior to any RF transmission.
Additionally, the KEELOQ code-hopping algorithm creates a unique transmission on each activation of the transmitter, rendering replay attacks useless. The combination of a 64bit key length and KEELOQ code-hopping technology significantly reduces the possibility of unwanted access or security breaches.
The PIC16F631 (1.75 KB Flash, 128B EEPROM) and PIC16F677 (3.5 KB Flash, 256B EEPROM) are 20-pin, 8bit, Flash PIC MCUs that are available in a small 4mm x 4mm QFN package. Standard on-chip peripherals include an 8MHz internal oscillator, an analogue comparator module with two comparators, up 12 channels 10bit ADC, and a programmable on-chip voltage reference. With an operating voltage of 2.0V - 5.5V, various reset and power saving options, these MCUs provide everything required for a low-power, robust and reliable design.
The KEELOQ system supports up to 16 Semtech Tx units on a single receiver using the PIC16F631 MCU, or up to 32Tx units using the PIC16F677 MCU.
“Our relationship with Microchip means we can now provide a highly secure, turnkey RKE reference solution integrating the industry’s highest performing microcontrollers and RF ICs, along with leading security encryption software,” said Sameer Vuyyuru, Semtech Vice President Marketing for Semtech’s Advanced Communications and Sensing Group. “RKE designers now have a reference solution that does not require specialised RF design or encryption programming skills, compared to discrete or analogue RF integrated circuit approaches that require security software and RF engineering expertise, and involve long design cycles with extensive production stabilisation efforts.”
Vivien Delport Director of Applications for Microchip’s Security, Microcontroller and Technology Development Division, adds: “This new RKE reference platform offers a strategic combination of security along with high-performance, low-power processing and RF transmission. Semtech brings the high-performance transmitters and receivers that, when integrated with our KEELOQ code-hopping technology and PIC microcontrollers, results in RKE systems that are easy to design, secure, low power, cost effective and easily adaptable to multiple global standards.”
Reference design kits (SX1230-13RKEA433) are available immediately from Semtech. The company offers comprehensive design assistance, including field and factory-based support. Data sheets, volume pricing and delivery quotes, as well as evaluation kits and samples, are available, and KEELOQ software is available immediately from Microchip, upon execution of a license agreement.
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