Silicon Laboratories introduced low power sub-GHz transceivers designed to maximize range and battery life for wireless systems. The new EZRadioPRO Si446x transceiver family offers industry-leading RF performance resulting in extended wireless range and compliance with the industry’s most stringent narrowband regulatory standards while delivering a superior cost-performance solution for designers. The transceivers provide extended range for wireless applications by leveraging best-in-class performance specifications in transmit output power (+20 dBm), sensitivity (-126 dBm), link budget (146 dB) and RX adjacent channel selectivity (58 dB). The Si446x transceivers also feature a patented antenna diversity algorithm developed to counteract the effects of multipath and fading, effectively doubling the wireless range in a multipath/fading environment.
Designed with continuous frequency coverage from 119 to 1050 MHz, the new Si446x transceivers support a number of advanced modulation techniques including 4GFSK, (G) FSK, GMSK and OOK with support for maximum data rates up to 1 Mbps. The transceivers comply with the 802.15.4 d/g specification and the Wireless M-Bus protocol for smart utility networks. The Si446x transceivers also feature exceptional phase noise, selectivity and blocking specifications, making them an optimal enabling solution for emerging narrowband applications requiring compliance with FCC Part 90 Mask D, ARIB STD-T96/T67 and ETSI EN 300. The Si446x products provide extended frequency coverage for new and emerging narrowband applications such as 151 MHz multi-use radio service in the United States, as well as the alternative 138 MHz and 169 MHz bands for the European market.
The Si446x family maximizes battery life for power-sensitive wireless applications, resulting in fewer battery replacements and/or reduced battery size with the same lifetime cost savings. Silicon Labs has developed strategic relationships with key suppliers to the global smart meter market. Silicon Labs and many of its wireless development partners have developed joint reference designs and test cards for smart meters, enabling designers to support applications requiring output power of up to +30 dBm while reducing development costs and speeding time to market.
