ZL70550
Ultra-Low-Power Sub-GHz RF Transceiver (779 MHz to 965 MHz)
Overview
Microsemi’s ZL70550 RF transceiver is the lowest-power sub-GHz radio for high- or low-duty-cycle, wireless-sensor applications. The device is optimized for very low power consumption in both active and sleep modes, making it the leading choice for sensor networks that are powered by a coin-cell battery or an energy harvesting power source.The ZL70550 device is also highly integrated and requires, in addition to the antenna, only a crystal, two decoupling capacitors, and a resistor. Available as a 2-mm-by-3-mm CSP, the device enables applications with a very small footprint.
The ZL70550 device operates in unlicensed frequency bands between 779 MHz and 965 MHz and offers a maximum raw data rate of 200 kbit/s at 2.4 mA (typical) with a respectable sensitivity of −95 dBm.
The device 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.
Features
- Ultralow current of 2.4 mA in receive and 2.75 mA in transmit
- Ultralow sleep current of 10 nA
- Maximum TX output power of 0 dBm
- Maximum RX sensitivity of −106 dBm
- Wide supply range of 1.71 V to 3.6 V
- Operates between 779 MHz and 965 MHz (915-MHz ISM band in North America; 868-MHz SRD band in Europe; 779-MHz to 787-MHz band in China; 916-MHz to 930-MHz and 950-MHz to 956-MHz bands in Japan)
- Raw data rates of 200 kbit/s, 100 kbit/s, or 50 kbit/s
- Very small footprint
- Few external components (crystal, resistor, and two decoupling capacitors)
- Available in 29-pin CSP package (2 mm by 3 mm) or in 32-pin QFN package (5 mm by 5 mm)
- SPI bus slave for packet data and register access
- Built-in MAC
- Support for Microsemi Z-Star or user protocols
- Transmit and receive buffer
- Optional automatic CSMA packet transfers
- Efficient header optimized for small or large payloads
- Optional preamble, frame sync, length, FEC, and CRC
- Industrial temperature range (−40°C to 85°C)
Applications
The ZL70550 ultra-low-power transceiver is designed for medium- to short-range wireless applications, including:- Medical monitoring
- Industrial/building/home automation
- Security
- Smart cities
- Advanced metering infrastructure
- Asset management
- Energy harvesting
- Voice/compressed-audio communications
Short-Range, Battery-Powered Communications
The ultra-low-power ZL70550 RF transceiver enables wireless communication in applications powered by coin-cell batteries or energy harvesters, where wireless communication was previously unfeasible. As illustrated below, end-applications may include wireless sensor networks (including on-body sensors) or voice communication.With a typical current consumption below 2.75 mA in transmit (–10 dBm) and below 2.4 mA in receive (–95 dBm sensitivity), and a data rate of 200 kbit/s, the ZL70550 device enables bidirectional RF links over a distance of more than 100 meters (based on antenna gain and operating environment). A sensitivity of –106 dBm can be achieved by optionally increasing the receiver current consumption (to approximately 3.2 mA), enabling FEC, and using the lowest data rate.
The output power is programmable and can be reduced to –25 dBm to save power in cases where the link budget allows. Output power can also be increased up to 0 dBm for more range or to allow for system losses, such as a very small antenna or body tissue absorption.
In order to achieve the minimum possible power consumption, the ZL70550 device offers a large number of optimization parameters, all available to the user via the SPI bus interface. To streamline the setup and optimization process, most parameters have an on-chip automatic trim capability. The frequency tuning is also highly automated.
While consuming very little power, the ZL70550 device also includes a powerful MAC that offers a highly flexible and robust set of protocol features for implementing a communications link. Some of the capabilities include:
- Support for Microsemi Z-Star or user protocols
- Transmit and receive buffer
- Optional automatic CSMA packet transfers
- Efficient header optimized for small or large payloads
- Optional preamble, frame sync, length, FEC, and CRC
Design Resources
The following kits are available to assist developers with evaluating the ZL70550 for use in a wireless sensor network or with designing RF communications systems using the ZL70550.- ZL70550 WSN Evaluation Kit with Z-Star Protocol
- ZL70550 Application Development Kit (ADK)
ZL70550 WSN Evaluation Kit with Z-Star Protocol
ZL70550 Application Development Kit (ADK)
Resources
Datasheet | ZL70550 Ultra-Low-Power Sub-GHz RF Transceiver Datasheet |
---|---|
Product Brief | ZL70550 Ultra-Low-Power Sub-GHz RF Transceiver Product Brief |
Programmer User's Guide | ZL70550 Ultra-Low-Power Sub-GHz RF Transceiver Programmer User's Guide |
Z-Star Protocol Standard | Z-Star Protocol Standard App Note |
WSN Software and Documentation | ZL70550 WSN Evaluation Kit for Windows |
ADK Software and Documentation | ZL70550 ADK for Windows |
WSN Source Code and Documentation | ZL70550 WSN Evaluation Kit Source Code * |
ADK Source Code and Documentation | ZL70550 ADK Source Code * |
Reliability | Quality & Reliability Report - Reading, PA, USA - Ottawa, ON, Canada - Caldicot, UK - San Diego, CA, USA - Austin, Texas, USA - Penang, Malaysia - Dallas, TX, USA |
*Available on MyMicrosemi portal, which requires registration and validation. Access to source code requires source code license agreement (SCLA). If you do not already have an SCLA, you first need to request an SCLA from your local sales office.
ULP Sub-GHz RF Has Moved! <-- use this link!
Related Developer Tools
-
ZLE70550BADB -- ZL70550 WSN Evaluation Kit with Z-Star Protocol
-
ZLE70550BADA -- ZL70550 Application Development Kit (ADK)
Packaging Information
Parametric Search
- {{n+1}} Showing per page
Parts | Part Status | package Type | Package Carrier | {{attribute.name | noComma}} ({{attribute.type}}) |