Cost effective RF data transceivers for 2.4 GHz ZigBee and IEEE 802.15.4 networks

Date: 25/6/2010

LS Research’s Apex modules are cost effective RF data transceiver solutions for 2.4 GHz ZigBee and IEEE 802.15.4 data links and wireless networks.

The APEX and APEX LT modules provide 16 GPIO ports that are shared with other peripheral or alternate functions. The alternate functions can be utilized on a variety of different GPIOs. All GPIO pads are selectable as input, output or bi-directional and have an internal pull-up or pull-down.

Common key features include;

• IEEE 802.15.4 compliant radio transceiver
• 100mW Power Amplifier
• Low Power Consumption - as low as <3 micro amp
• 2.1 – 3.6 voltage input – for consistent performance throughout battery life
• Integrated PCB trace antenna.
• Excellent Sensitivity - up to -98dBm
• Impressive Range - 4,500+ feet line of sight
• Compact Form Factor - 1.0” X 1.275”
• FCC, IC and CE Certification
• Customizable Design

The Apex ZAXM-201-1 is based on Ember’s EM250 802 platform, whilst the APEX LT ZALM-301-1 module is based on the Ember EM260 ZigBee network processor. Both modules support point-to-point, point-to-multi-point, and EmberZNet applications.

APEX ZAXM-201-1
This device offers a 16-bit microprocessor, 128kB Flash, 5kB SRAM,16 general purpose I/O ports and integrated ADC with 12-bit resolution.. The integrated Serial Controller SC1 can be configured for SPI (master-only), FC (master-only) or UART functionality. The Serial Controller SC2 can be configured for SPI (master or slave) or I²C (master only) operation. The integrated ADC can sample analog signals from three GPIO pins single-ended or differentially. The integrated voltage reference VREF for the ADC can be made available to a GPIO port.

APEX LT ZALM-301-1
This device offers integrated IEEE 802.15 PHY and MAC, a dedicated network processor and a SPI or UART interface to a choice of external microprocessor, depending on the requirements of the application. In addition to the SPI signals, two additional signals (nHOST_INT and nWAKE) provide a handshake mechanism. The module provides a slave device with all transceivers initiated by the host.

Both modules provide for enhanced range performance over standard 802.15.4/ZigBee implementations and are supported by Evaluation Kits, also available on Ismsoys.com