RFMD RF2905

RF2905
11
433/868/915MHZ FM/FSK/ASK/OOK
TRANSCEIVER
Typical Applications
• Wireless Meter Reading
• Wireless Data Transceiver
• Keyless Entry Systems
• Wireless Security Systems
• 433/868/915MHz ISM Band Systems
• Battery Powered Portable Devices
9.00
+ 0.20 sq.
The RF2905 is a monolithic integrated circuit intended for
use as a low cost FM transceiver. The device is provided
in 7mmx7mm, 48-lead plastic LQFP packaging and is
designed to provide a fully functional FM transceiver. The
chip is intended for linear (AM, FM) or digital (ASK, FSK,
OOK) applications in the North American 915MHz ISM
band and European 433MHz and 868MHz ISM bands.
The integrated VCO, dual modulus/dual divide (128/129
or 64/65) prescaler, and reference oscillator require only
the addition of an external crystal to provide a complete
phase-locked oscillator.
0.35
0.25
0.50
7.00
+ 0.10 sq.
0.22
+ 0.05
Dimensions in mm.
7° MAX
0° MIN
0.60
+ 0.15
0.10
Optimum Technology Matching® Applied
VREF P
LOCK DET
OSC B1
OSC E
OSC B2
Si CMOS
LOOP FLT
SiGe HBT
RESNTR+
Si Bi-CMOS
RESNTR-
GaAs MESFET
MOD IN
GaAs HBT
LVL ADJ
ü
Si BJT
47
34
31
30
41
42
43
40
39
38
Gain
Control
TX OUT
3
RX IN
5
LNA OUT
7
MIX IN
9
MIX OUT+
11
MIX OUT-
12
0.127
Package Style: LQFP-48, 7x7
11
Features
• Fully Monolithic Integrated Transceiver
• 2.7V to 5.0V Supply Voltage
• Narrow Band and Wide Band FM/FSK
Lock
Detector
Phase
Detector &
Charge Pump
Ref
Select
37 OSC SEL
45 PRESCL OUT
Prescaler
128/129 or
64/65
36 MOD CTRL
35 DIV CTRL
• 300MHz to 1000MHz Frequency Range
• 10dB Cascaded Noise Figure
• 10mW Output Power at 433MHz
24 RSSI
Linear
RSSI
25 FM OUT
13
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
22
28
27
23
IF1 IN+
IF1 IN-
IF1 BP+
IF1 BP-
IF1 OUT
IF2 IN
VREF IF
IF2 BP+
IF2 BP-
IF2 OUT
DEMOD IN
MUTE
26 DATA OUT
Functional Block Diagram
Rev B11 010516
1.40
+ 0.05
Ordering Information
RF2905
RF2905 PCBA-L
RF2905 PCBA-M
RF2905 PCBA-H
433/868/915MHz FM/FSK/ASK/OOK Transceiver
Fully Assembled Evaluation Board (433MHz)
Fully Assembled Evaluation Board (868MHz)
Fully Assembled Evaluation Board (915MHz)
RF Micro Devices, Inc.
7628 Thorndike Road
Greensboro, NC 27409, USA
Tel (336) 664 1233
Fax (336) 664 0454
http://www.rfmd.com
11-53
TRANSCEIVERS
Product Description
RF2905
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
Ratings
Unit
Supply Voltage
Control Voltages
Input RF Level
Output Load VSWR
Operating Ambient Temperature
Storage Temperature
-0.5 to +5.5
-0.5 to +5.0
+10
50:1
-40 to +85
-40 to +150
VDC
VDC
dBm
Parameter
°C
°C
Caution! ESD sensitive device.
RF Micro Devices believes the furnished information is correct and accurate
at the time of this printing. However, RF Micro Devices reserves the right to
make changes to its products without notice. RF Micro Devices does not
assume responsibility for the use of the described product(s).
Specification
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
300 to 1000
MHz
300 to 1000
64/65 or 128/129
50
-75
MHz
Ω
dBc/Hz
-100
dBc/Hz
Condition
T=25 °C, VCC =3.6V, Freq=915MHz
Overall
RF Frequency Range
VCO and PLL Section
VCO Frequency Range
Prescaler divide ratio
Prescaler Output Impedance
PLL Phase Noise
Reference Frequency
Crystal RS
Charge Pump Current
TBD
50
-40
17
100
+40
Freq=915MHz, 10kHz Offset, 5kHz Loop
Bandwidth
Freq=915MHz, 100kHz Offset, 5kHz loop
Bandwidth
MHz
Ω
µA
Transmit Section
Max Modulation Frequency
Min Modulation Frequency
Maximum Power Level
TRANSCEIVERS
11
Power Control Range
Power Control Sensitivity
Max FM Deviation
Antenna Port Impedance
Antenna Port VSWR
Modulation Input Impedance
Harmonics
Spurious
2
MHz
Set by loop filter bandwidth
+7
+10
0
+3
8
12
10
200
dBm
dBm
dB
dB/V
kHz
50
Ω
1.5:1
4
kΩ
dBc
dBc
-23
Freq=433MHz
Freq=915MHz
Instantaneous frequency deviation is
inversely proportional with the modulation
voltage
TX ENABL=“1”. RX ENABL=“0”
TX Mode
Compliant to Part 15.249 and I-ETS 300 220
Overall Receive Section
Frequency Range
Cascaded Voltage Gain
Cascaded Noise Figure
Cascaded Input IP3
RX Sensitivity
LO Leakage
RSSI DC Output Range
RSSI Sensitivity
RSSI Dynamic Range
11-54
-95
300 to 1000
35
23
10
-31
-26
-101
0.5 to 2.5
MHz
dB
dB
dB
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
V
25
80
mV/dB
dB
-70
70
Freq=433MHz
Freq=915MHz
Freq=433MHz
Freq=915MHz
IF BW =180kHz, Freq=915MHz, S/N=8dB
RLOAD =51kΩ
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
Parameter
Specification
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
23
16
4.8
5.5
-27
-20
-37
-30
50
dB
dB
dB
dB
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
Ω
Condition
LNA
Voltage Gain
Noise Figure
Input IP3
Input P1dB
Antenna Port Impedance
Antenna Port VSWR
Output Impedance
1.5:1
Open Collector
Open Collector
Ω
Ω
8
7
10
17
-21
-17
-31
-28
dB
dB
dB
dB
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
VPP
Mixer
Conversion Voltage Gain
Noise Figure (SSB)
Input IP3
Input P1dB
Maximum Output Voltage
433MHz
915MHz
433MHz
915MHz
433MHz
915MHz
433MHz
915MHz
RX ENABL=“1”. TX ENABL=“0”
RX Mode
433MHz
915MHz
Single-ended configuration
433MHz
915MHz
433MHz
915MHz
433MHz
915MHz
433MHz
915MHz
Balanced
First IF Section
IF Frequency Range
Voltage Gain
Noise Figure
IF1 Input Impedance
IF1 Output Impedance
0.1
10.7
34
13
330
330
25
10.7
60
330
1
10
500
>1
25
MHz
dB
dB
Ω
Ω
IF=10.7MHz, ZL =330Ω
Second IF Section
500
MHz
dB
Ω
kΩ
kΩ
Ω
ΜΩ
kHz
Data Output Bandwidth
500
kHz
Data Output Level
0.3
FM Output DC Level
FM Output AC Level
Rev B11 010516
0.1
VCC -0.3
2.6
200
V
V
mVPP
11
IF=10.7MHz
At IF2 OUT- pin
3dB Bandwidth, Dependent upon IF bandwidth and Discriminator.
3dB Bandwidth, ZLOAD=1MΩ || 3pF; Dependent upon IF bandwidth and Discriminator.
ZLOAD=1MΩ || 3pF; Output voltage is proportional with the instantaneous frequency
deviation.
ZLOAD>10kΩ
ZLOAD>10kΩ
11-55
TRANSCEIVERS
IF Frequency Range
Voltage Gain
IF2 Input Impedance
IF2 Output Impedance
Demod Input Impedance
FM Output Impedance
Data Output Impedance
FM Output Bandwidth
RF2905
Parameter
Specification
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Condition
Power Down Control
Logical Controls “ON”
Logical Controls “OFF”
Control Input Impedance
Turn On Time
Turn Off Time
RX to TX and TX to RX Time
2.0
Voltage supplied to the input
Voltage supplied to the input
4
4
4
V
V
Ω
ms
ms
ms
34.5
13.5
12
1
V
V
mA
mA
mA
µA
10
mA
Specifications
Operating limits
TX Mode, LVL ADJ=3.6V
TX Mode, LVL ADJ=0V
RX Mode
Power Down Mode which sets:
PLL ENABL, TX ENABL, RX ENABL,
LVL ADJ, OSC SEL, and MUTE=0V
PLL Only Mode
1.0
25k
Reference Crystal=7.075MHz
Dependent upon reference crystal. Higher
frequencies reduce turn on/off times
Power Supply
Voltage
Current Consumption
22
8
7
3.6
2.7 to 5.0
25
10
9
5.3
8
TRANSCEIVERS
11
11-56
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
Pin
1
2
3
Function
RX ENABL
TX ENABL
TX OUT
Description
Enable pin for the receiver circuits. RX ENABL>2.0V powers up all
receiver functions. RX ENABL<1.0V turns off all receiver functions
except the PLL functions and the RF mixer.
Enables the transmitter circuits. TX ENABL>2.0V powers up all transmitter functions. TX ENABL<1.0V turns off all transmitter functions
except the PLL functions.
Interface Schematic
50 kΩ
RX ENABL
20 kΩ
TX ENABL
40 kΩ
RF output pin for the transmitter electronics. TX OUT output impedance
is a low impedance when the transmitter is enabled. TX OUT is a high
impedance when the transmitter is disabled.
VCC
20
TX OUT
4
GND2
5
RX IN
Ground connection for the 40dB IF limiting amplifier and Tx PA functions. Keep traces physically short and connect immediately to ground
plane for best performance.
RF input pin for the receiver electronics. RX IN input impedance is a
low impedance when the transmitter is enabled. RX IN is a high impedance when the receiver is disabled.
RX IN
500
GND1
7
LNA OUT
8
9
GND3
MIX IN
10
GND5
11
MIX OUT+
12
MIX OUT-
Rev B11 010516
Ground connection for RF receiver functions. Keep traces physically
short and connect immediately to ground plane for best performance.
Output pin for the receiver RF low noise amplifier. This pin is an open
collector output and requires an external pull up coil to provide bias and
tune the LNA output.
VCC
LNA OUT
Same as pin 4.
RF input to the RF Mixer. An LC matching network between LNA OUT
and MIX IN can be used to connect the LNA output to the RF mixer
input in applications where an image filter is not needed or desired.
11
MIX IN
GND5 is the ground connection shared by the input stage of the transmit power amplifier and the receiver RF mixer.
Complementary (with respect to pin 12) IF output from the RF mixer.
MIX OUT+
Interfaces directly to 10.7MHz ceramic IF filters as shown in the application schematic. A pull-up inductor and series matching capacitor
should be used to present a 330Ω termination impedance to the
15 pF
ceramic filter. Alternately, an IF tank can be used to tailor the IF freGND5
quency and bandwidth to meet the needs of a given application.
IF output from the RF mixer. For a balanced mixer output, pull-up induc- See pin 11.
tors from pin 11 and 12 to VCC and a capacitor between the pins should
be used. The sum of the total pull-up inductance should be used to resonate the capacitor between pins 11 and 12. DC blocking capacitors of
10nF can then be used to connect the balanced output to IF1 IN+ (pin
13) and IF1 IN- (pin 14).
GND5
MIX OUT-
15 pF
GND5
11-57
TRANSCEIVERS
6
RF2905
Pin
13
Function
IF1 IN+
Description
Balanced IF input to the 40dB limiting amplifier strip. A 10nF DC blocking capacitor is required on this input.
Interface Schematic
IF1 BP+
60 kΩ
IF1 BP60 kΩ
330
330
IF1 IN+
14
IF1 IN-
15
IF1 BP+
16
IF1 BP-
17
IF1 OUT
18
IF2 IN
Functionally the same as pin 13 except inverting node amplifier input.
In single-ended applications, this input should be bypassed directly to
ground through a 10nF capacitor.
DC feedback node for the 40dB limiting amplifier strip. A 10nF bypass
capacitor from this pin to ground is required.
Same as pin 15.
IF1 IN-
See pin 13.
See pin 13.
See pin 13.
IF output from the 40dB limiting amplifier. The IF1 OUT output presents
a nominal 330Ω output resistance and interfaces directly to 10.7MHz
ceramic filters.
IF1 OUT
Balanced IF input to the 60dB limiting amplifier strip. A 10nF DC blocking capacitor is required on this input. The IF2 IN input presents a nominal 330Ω input resistance and interfaces directly to 10.7MHz ceramic
filters.
IF2 BP+
60 kΩ
IF2 BP60 kΩ
330
330
IF2 IN
TRANSCEIVERS
11
19
GND6
20
VREF IF
21
IF2 BP+
22
23
IF2 BPMUTE
Ground connection for 60dB IF limiting amplifier. Keep traces physically
short and connect immediately to ground plane for best performance.
DC voltage reference for the IF limiting amplifiers. A 10nF capacitor
from this pin to ground is required.
DC feedback node for the 60dB limiting amplifier strip. A 10nF bypass
capacitor from this pin to ground is required.
Same as pin 21.
This pin is used to mute the data output (DATA OUT). MUTE>2.0V
turns the DATA OUT signal on. MUTE<1.0V turns the DATA OUT signal off. The MUTE signal should be logic low in the Sleep Mode.
See pin 18.
See pin 18.
75 kΩ
MUTE
25 kΩ
24
RSSI
A DC voltage proportional to the received signal strength is output from
this pin. The output voltage range is 0.5V to 2.5V, into 51k Ω load, and
increases with increasing signal strength.
VCC
RSSI
25
26
11-58
FM OUT
DATA OUT
Linear output from the FM demodulator. This pin is used in analog
applications when signal fidelity is important. This output is inverted for
low side injection of the LO and normal for high side injection.
Demodulated data output from the demodulator. Output levels on this
are TTL/CMOS compatible. The magnitude of the load impedance is
intended to be 1MΩ or greater. When using a RF2905 transmitter and
receiver back to back a data inversion will occur, when the LO is low
side injected. A high side injection will add an inversion of the Rx data.
FM OUT
DATA OUT
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
Pin
27
28
Function
DEMOD IN
IF2 OUT
29
VCC6
30
RESNTR+
Description
This pin is the input to the FM demodulator. This pin is NOT AC coupled. Therefore, a DC blocking capacitor is required on this pin to avoid
shorting the demodulator input with the LC tank. A ceramic discriminator or DC blocked LC tank resonant at the IF should be connected to
this pin.
Interface Schematic
VCC
10 kΩ
DEMOD IN
Balanced IF output from the 60dB limiting amplifier strip. This pin is
intended to be connected to pin 27 through a 4pF (suggested) capacitor and an FM discriminator circuit.
This pin is used is supply DC bias to the second IF amplifier, Demodulator and Data Slicer. An IF bypass capacitor should be connected
directly to this pin and returned to ground. A 10nF capacitor is recommended for 10.7MHz IF applications.
This port is used to supply DC voltage to the VCO as well as to tune the
center frequency of the VCO. Equal value inductors should be connected to this pin and pin 31 although a small imbalance can be used
to tune in the proper frequency range.
IF2 OUT
ESNTR+
RESNTR-
4 kΩ
MOD IN
RESNTRVCC2
33
GND4
34
MOD IN
35
DIV CTRL
36
MOD CTRL
37
OSC SEL
38
OSC B2
Rev B11 010516
See RESNTR+ description.
See pin 30.
This pin is used is supply DC bias to the VCO, prescaler, and PLL. An
RF bypass capacitor should be connected directly to this pin and
returned to ground. A 22pF capacitor is recommended for 915MHz
applications. A 68pF capacitor is recommended for 433MHz applications.
GND4 is the ground shared on chip by the VCO, prescaler, and PLL
electronics.
FM analog or digital modulation can be imparted to the VCO through
See pin 30.
this pin. The VCO varies in accordance to the voltage level presented
to this pin. To set the deviation to a desired level, a voltage divider referenced to Vcc is the recommended. This deviation is also dependent
upon the overall capacitance of the external resonant circuit.
This pin is used to select the desired prescaler divisor. A logic high
(DIVCTRL>2.0V) selects the 64/65 divisor. A logic low
DIV CTL
(DIVCTRL<1.0V) selects the 128/129 divisor.
This pin is used to select the prescaler modulus. A logic high (MOD
CTRL>2.0V) selects 64 or 128 for the prescaler divisor. A logic low
(MOD CTRL<1.0V) selects 65 or 129 for the prescaler divisor.
Due to design timing constraints, the prescaler in the divide by 65 or
129 modes has a limited frequency range for accurate operation.
These two modes are not recommended for use from 400MHz to
460MHz.
A logic high (OSC SEL>2.0V) applied to this pin powers on reference
oscillator 2 and powers down reference oscillator 1. A logic low (OSC
SEL<1.0V) applied to this pin powers on reference oscillator 1 and
powers down reference oscillator 2.
This pin is connected directly to the reference oscillator 2 transistor
base. The intended reference oscillator configuration is a modified Colpitts.
11
TRANSCEIVERS
31
32
MOD CTL
OSC B1
OSC B2
OSC E
11-59
RF2905
Pin
39
Function
OSC E
40
OSC B1
41
LOOP FLT
Description
Interface Schematic
This pin is connected directly to the emitter of the reference oscillator
See pin 38.
transistors.
This pin is connected directly to the reference oscillator 1 transistor
See pin 38.
base. The intended reference oscillator configuration is a modified Colpitts.
Output of the charge pump, and input to the VCO control. An RC netVCC
work from this pin to ground is used to establish the PLL bandwidth.
LOOP FLT
42
VREF P
43
LOCK DET
Bypass pin for the prescaler reference voltage. A 33nF capacitor to
ground is needed to suppress reference spurs in the device. This value
may be different for different PCB arrangements.
This pin provides an analog output indicating the lock status of the PLL.
The amplitude of this signal is typically 200mVPP around a DC level of
VCC-0.1V.
VCC
20 kΩ
LOCK DET
44
VCC1
45
PRESCL
OUT
46
VCC3
47
LVL ADJ
TRANSCEIVERS
11
This pin is used to supply DC bias to the LNA, Mixer, first IF Amp, and
Bandgap reference. A RF bypass capacitor should be connected
directly to this pin and returned to ground. A 22pF capacitor is recommended for 915MHz applications. A 68pF capacitor is recommended
for 433MHz applications.
Dual-modulus/Dual-divide prescaler output. The output can be interfaced to an external PLL IC for additional flexibility in frequency programming.
PRESCL
OUT
This pin is used to supply DC bias and collector current to the transmitter PA. A RF bypass capacitor should be connected directly to this pin
and returned to ground. A 22pF capacitor is recommended for 915MHz
applications. A 68pF capacitor is recommended for 433MHz applications.
This pin is used to vary the transmitter output power. An output level
adjustment range greater than 12dB is provided through analog voltage control of this pin. DC current of the transmitter power amp ia also
reduced with output power. This pin MUST be low when the transmitter
is disabled.
40 kΩ
LVL ADJ
400
48
11-60
PLL ENABL
This pin is used to power up or down the VCO and PLL. A logic high
(PLLENABL>2.0V) powers up the VCO and PLL electronics. A logic
low (PLLENABL<1.0V) powers down the PLL and VCO.
4 kΩ
50 kΩ
PLL ENABL
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
RF2905 Theory of Operation and Application Information
In its basic form, the RF2905 can implement a two-way
half duplex FSK transceiver with the addition of some
crystals, filters, and passive components. There are
two reference crystals that allow for the transmit carrier
and the receiver LO to be independently generated
with a common PLL and VCO. The receiver IF section
is optimized to interface with low cost 10.7MHz
ceramic filters but has a -3 dB bandwidth of 25MHz
and can still be used (with lower gain) at higher frequency with the other type of filters. The PA output and
LNA input are available on separate pins and are
designed to be connected together through a DC
blocking capacitor. In the Transmit mode, the PA will
have a 50Ω impedance and the LNA will be a high
impedance. In Receive mode, the LNA will have a 50Ω
interface and the PA will have a high impedance. This
eliminates the need for a TX/RX switch and allows a
single RF filter to be used in transmit and receive
modes. Separate access to the PA and LNA allow the
RF2905 to interface with external components such as
higher power PA’s, lower NF LNA’s, upconverters, and
downconverters for a variety of implementations.
FM/FSK SYSTEMS
The MOD IN pin drives an internal varactor for modulating the VCO. This pin can be driven with a voltage
level needed to generate the desired deviation. This
voltage can be carried on a DC bias to select the
desired slope (deviation/volt) for FM systems. Or, a
resistor divider network referenced to Vcc or ground
can divide down logic level signals to the appropriate
level for a desired deviation in FSK systems.
On the receiver demod, two outputs are available, an
analog FM output and a digital FSK output. The FM
output is a buffered signal coming off of the quadrature
demodulator. The digital output is generated by a data
slicer that is DC coupled differentially to the demodulator. An on-chip 1.6MHz RC filter is provided at the
demodulator output to filter the undesired 2xIF product.
This balanced data slicer has a speed advantage over
a conventional adaptive data slicer where a large
capacitor is used to provide DC reference for bit decision. Since the balanced data slicer does not have to
Rev B11 010516
charge a large capacitor, the RF2905 exhibits a very
fast response time. For best operation of the on-chip
data slicer, FM deviation needs to exceed the carrier
frequency error anticipated between the receiver and
transmitter with margin.
The data slicer itself is a transconductance amp and
the DATA OUT pin is capable of driving rail to rail output only into a very high impedance and small capacitance. The amount of capacitance will determine the
bandwidth of the DATA OUT. At a 3pF load, the bandwidth is in excess of 500kHz. The rail to rail output of
the data slicer is also limited by the frequency deviation
and bandwidth of the IF filters. With the 180kHz bandwidth filters on the eval boards, the rail to rail output is
limited to less than 140kHz. Choosing the right IF
bandwidth and deviation vs. data rate (mod index) is
important in evaluating the applicability of the RF2905
for a given data rate.
While this type of data slicer is best for wideband deviation, it can also work for narrowband if care is taken to
minimize frequency differences. By loading down the
DATA OUT pin, the output will be limited to a small data
signal on a DC carrier. With this signal, an external
data slicer can be used to achieve higher data rates or
improve performance in narrow deviations. Alternatively, an AFC loop can be added to correct for frequency errors with a few external components.
For FM or FSK modulation, an internal varactor is used
to directly modulate the VCO with the baseband data.
The primary consideration when directly modulating
the VCO is the data rate verses PLL loop bandwidth.
The PLL will track out the modulation to the extent of
its loop bandwidth which distorts the modulating data.
Therefore, the lower frequency components of the
modulating data should be 5 to 10 times the loop bandwidth to minimize the distortion. The lower frequency
components are generated by long strings of 1’s or 0’s
in the data stream. By limiting the number of consecutive, same bits, the lower frequency component can be
set. In addition, the data stream should be balanced to
minimize distortion. Using a coding pattern such as
Manchester is highly recommended to optimize system
performance.
The PLL loop bandwidth is important in several other
system parameters. For example, switching from transmit to receive requires the VCO to retune to another
frequency. The switching speed is proportional to the
loop bandwidth, the higher the loop bandwidth, the
11-61
11
TRANSCEIVERS
The RF2905 is a part of a family of low-power RF
transceiver IC’s that was developed for wireless data
communication devices operating in the European 433/
868MHz ISM bands or 915MHz US ISM band.This IC
has been implemented in a 15GHz silicon bipolar process technology that allows low-power transceiver
operation in a variety of commercial wireless products.
RF2905
faster the switching times. Phase noise of the VCO is
another factor. Phase noise outside of the loop bandwidth is due to the noise of the VCO itself rather than
the crystal reference. A design trade-off must be made
here in selecting a PLL loop bandwidth with acceptable
phase noise and switching characteristics and minimal
distortion of the modulation data.
TRANSCEIVERS
11
AM/ASK SYSTEMS
The transmitter of the RF2905 has an output power
level adjustment (LVL ADJ) that can be used to provide
approximately 18dB of power control for amplitude
modulation. The RSSI output of the receiver section
can be used to recover the modulation. The RSSI output is from a current source and needs to have a resistor to convert to a voltage. A 51kΩ resistive load will
produce an RSSI voltage of 0.7V to 2.5V, typically. A
parallel capacitor is suggested to limit the bandwidth
and filter noise. For ASK applications, the 18dB range
of the LVL ADJ does not produce enough voltage
swing in the RSSI for reliable communication. The OnOff keying (OOK) is suggested to provide reliable communications. To achieve this, both the LVL ADJ and TX
ENABL need to be controlled together (please note
that LVL ADJ cannot be left high when TX ENABL is
low). This will provide a on/off ratio of >50dB. One
unfortunate consequence of modulating this way is
VCO pulling by the power amp. This results in a spurious output outside the desired transmit band as the
PLL momentarily loses lock and reacquires. This can
be avoided by pulse shaping the TX data to slow the
change in the VCO load to a pace that the PLL can
track with its given loop bandwidth. The loop bandwidth
can also be increased to allow it to track faster
changes due to load pulling.
be needed to separate the DC of RX IN and TX OUT.
These are RF signals and care should be taken to
route these signals keeping them physically short.
Because of the 50Ω/high impedance nature of these
two signals, they may be connected together into a signal 50Ω device such as a filter. An external LNA or PA
can be used, if desired, but an external RX/TX switch
may be required.
The VCO is a very sensitive block in this system. RF
signals feeding back into the VCO either radiated or
coupled by traces may cause the PLL to become
unlocked. The trace(s) for the anode of the tuning varactor should also be kept short. The layout of the resonators and varactor are very important. The capacitor
and varactor should be closest to the RF2905 pins and
the trace length should be as short as possible. The
inductors can be placed further away and any trace
inductance can be compensated by reducing the value
of the inductors. Printed inductors may also be used
with careful design. For best results, the physical layout
should be as symmetrical as possible. Figure 1 is a
recommended layout pattern for the VCO components.
When using loop bandwidths lower than the 5kHz
shown on the eval board, better filtering of the Vcc at
the resonators (and lower Vcc noise as well) will help
reduce phase noise of the VCO. A series resistor of
100Ω to 200Ω and a 1µF or larger capacitor can be
used.
Loop Voltage
GND
33
For the ASK/OOK receiver demodulator, an external
data slicer is required. The RSSI output is used to provide both the filtered data and a very low pass filtered
(relative to the data rate) DC reference to a data slicer.
Because the very low pass filter has a slow time constant, a longer preamble may be required to allow for
the DC reference to get to a stable state. Here, as in
the case of the FSK transmitter, the data pattern also
affects the DC reference and the reliability of the
received data. Again, a coding scheme such as
Manchester such should be used to improve data
integrity.
APPLICATION AND LAYOUT CONSIDERATIONS
Both the RX IN and TX OUT have a DC bias on them.
Therefore, DC blocking caps are required. If the RF filter has DC blocking characteristics like a ceramic
dielectric filter, then only 1 DC blocking capacitor would
11-62
32
31
30
29
28
Not to Scale
Representative of Size
GND
Vcc
Figure 1. Recommended VCO Layout
For the interface between the LNA/mixer, the coupling
capacitor should be as close to the RF2905 pins as
possible with the bias inductor being further away.
Once again, the value of the inductor can be changed
to compensate to trace inductance. The output impedance of the LNA is in the order of several kΩ which
makes matching to 50Ω very hard. If image filtering is
desired, a high impedance filter is recommended.
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
The quad tank of the discriminator can be implemented
with ceramic discriminators available from a couple of
sources. This design works well for wideband applications and where the temperature range is limited. The
temperature coefficient of a ceramic discriminator can
be in the order of +/- 50ppm per degree C. An automatic frequency control loop can be implemented
using the DC level of the FM OUT for feedback to an
external varactor on the reference crystal. An alternative to the ceramic discriminator is a LC tank. Figure 2
shows a schematic implementation of a LC tank.
To lock faster, we need to minimize C.
1. To this end, use the divide by 128 rather than the
64, and a correspondingly lower frequency reference crystal to achieve the desired output frequency.
2. Design the loop filter for the minimum phase margin
possible without causing loop instability problems;
this allows C to be kept at a minimum.
3. Design the loop filter for the highest loop cut frequency possible without distorting low frequency
modulation components; this also allows C to be
kept at a minimum.
28
39 pF
3.3 µH
4-22
pF
R
opt.
C16 10 nF
Figure 2. LC Type Discriminator Circuit
The DEMOD IN pin has a DC bias on it and must be
DC blocked. This can be done either at the pin or at the
ground side of the LC tank (this must also be done if a
parallel resistor is used with a ceramic discriminator).
The decision whether to used a LC or a ceramic discriminator should be based upon the frequency deviation in the system, discriminator Q needed, and
frequency and temperature tolerances. Tuning of the
LC tank is required to overcome the component tolerances in the tank.
PREDICTING AND MINIMIZING PLL LOCK TIME
The RF2905 implements a conventional PLL on chip,
with a VCO followed by a prescaler dividing the output
frequency down to be compared with a signal from the
reference oscillator. The output of the phase discriminator is a sequence of pulse width modulated current
pulses in the required direction to steer the VCO’s control voltage to maintain phase lock, with a loop filter
integrating the current pulses. The lock time of this PLL
is a combination of the loop transient response time
and the slew rate set by the phase discriminator output
current combined with the magnitude of the loop filter
capacitance. A good approximation for total lock time
of the RF29.5 is:
CRYSTAL SELECTION
Several issues arise in the selection of the crystals.
Timing specifications such as start-up and switching
are related to the crystal specifications, as well as
external circuitry. The tolerance of the crystals are also
an issue in optimum radio performance. In general,
tighter tolerance crystals lead to better performance
and are more critical to higher data rates. Frequency
offsets between the TX crystal, RX crystal and discriminator generate duty cycle variations in the receive
demodulator.
The crystals used on the RF2905 evaluation boards
are specified as a parallel resonant, 30pF crystal with
a maximum ESR of 80Ω. The initial tolerance is
+20ppm and temperature stability is +30ppm for -10°C
to 70°C. The transistor oscillator will work with a variety
of different crystals and the final crystal specifications
should be evaluated for each application.
Faster start-up or switching times are achievable by
specifying crystals with low motion inductance and low
motional resistance. Additionally, the feedback caps of
the oscillator can be changed to increase the voltage
on the crystal. Generally, crystals in the leaded
HC-49U packages will provide better start-up times
than the smaller surface-mount types used on the evaluation board.
Lock time=D/fc+35000*C*dV
Where D is a factor to account for the loop damping.
For loops with low phase margin (30° to 40°), use D=2
whereas for loops with better phase margin (50° to
60°), use D=1. fc is the loop cut frequency. C is the
sum of all shunt capacitors in the loop filter. dV is the
required step voltage change to produce the desired
frequency change during the transient.
Rev B11 010516
11-63
11
TRANSCEIVERS
C17 7 pF
27
RF2905
PLL ENABL
LVL ADJ
VCC3
PRESCL OUT
VCC1
LOCK DET
VREF P
LOOP FLT
OSC B1
OSC E
OSC B2
OSC SEL
Pin Out
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
RX ENABL 1
36 MOD CTRL
TX ENABL 2
35 DIV CTRL
TX OUT 3
11-64
GND2 4
33 GND4
RX IN 5
32 VCC2
GND1 6
31 RESNTR-
LNA OUT 7
30 RESNTR+
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
MUTE
RSSI
25 FM OUT
IF2 BP-
MIX OUT- 12
IF2 BP+
26 DATA OUT
VREF IF
MIX OUT+ 11
GND6
27 DEMOD IN
IF2 IN
GND5 10
IF1 OUT
28 IF2 OUT
IF1 BP-
MIX IN 9
IF1 BP+
29 VCC6
IF1 IN-
GND3 8
IF1 IN+
TRANSCEIVERS
11
34 MOD IN
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
Application Schematic
915MHz
VCC
4.7
uF
LOCK DET+
3.9 kΩ
10 nF
10 Ω
10
nF
22 pF
22
pF
4.7
nH
47 nF
4.7
nH
D1
LVL ADJ
2.7
kΩ
3.3
nF
TX DATA
100
pF
10 Ω
100 100
pF pF
0.1
uF
5 pF
VCC
10 nF
22 pF
PLL ENABL
47 46 34
48
RX ENABL
1
TX ENABL
2
Filter
31
30
43
41
42
40
39
38
Gain
Control
Lock
Detector
100 pF
22
pF
Phase
Detector &
Charge Pump
Ref
Select
5
100 pF
10 Ω
10 nH
10 nF
22 pF
Prescaler
128/129 or
64/65
7
VCC
10 Ω
VCC
32
3
VCC
44
10 nF
37
OSC SEL
45
PRESCL OUT
36
MOD CTRL
35
DIV CTRL
10 pF
9
11
8.2 µH
24
Linear
RSSI
10 Ω
25
FM OUT
26
DATA OUT
12
10 nF
22 pF
11 pF
13
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
22
Filter
10 nF
10 nF
27
29
10 nF
10 nF
RSSI
23
10 pF
51 kΩ
10 nF
Filter
10 nF
28
5 pF
FM Disc.
MUTE
11
VCC
Rev B11 010516
PLL LOOP BANDWIDTH ~5 kHz
22 pF
10 nF
10 Ω
TRANSCEIVERS
D1 : SMV1233-011
11-65
RF2905
Application Schematic
868MHz
VCC
4.7
uF
LOCK DET+
3.9 kΩ
10 nF
10 Ω
10
nF
22 pF
22
pF
6.8
nH
TX DATA
LVL ADJ
47 nF
6.8
nH
D1
100
pF
2.7
kΩ
3.3
nF
10 Ω
100 100
pF pF
0.1
uF
3 pF
VCC
10 nF
22 pF
PLL ENABL
47 46 34
48
RX ENABL
1
TX ENABL
2
Filter
31
30
43
41
42
40
39
38
Gain
Control
Lock
Detector
100 pF
22
pF
Phase
Detector &
Charge Pump
Ref
Select
5
100 pF
10 Ω
10 nH
10 nF
22 pF
Prescaler
128/129 or
64/65
7
VCC
10 Ω
VCC
32
3
VCC
44
10 nF
37
OSC SEL
45
PRESCL OUT
36
MOD CTRL
35
DIV CTRL
10 pF
9
24
Linear
RSSI
10 Ω
11
8.2 uH
25
FM OUT
26
DATA OUT
12
10 nF
22 pF
11 pF
13
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
22
Filter
10 nF
10 nF
10 nF
27
29
10 nF
10 nF
RSSI
23
10 pF
51 kΩ
10 nF
Filter
11
28
5 pF
FM Disc.
MUTE
TRANSCEIVERS
VCC
D1 : SMV1233-011
11-66
PLL LOOP BANDWIDTH ~5 kHz
22 pF
10 nF
10 Ω
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
Application Schematic
433MHz
VCC
4.7
uF
LOCK DET+
3.9 kΩ
10 nF
10 Ω
10
nF
22 pF
22
pF
27
nH
TX DATA
LVL ADJ
47 nF
27
nH
D1
100
pF
2.7
kΩ
3.3
nF
10 Ω
100 100
pF pF
0.1
uF
3 pF
VCC
10 nF
22 pF
PLL ENABL
47 46 34
48
RX ENABL
1
TX ENABL
2
Filter
31
30
43
41
42
40
39
38
Gain
Control
Lock
Detector
100 pF
22
pF
Phase
Detector &
Charge Pump
Ref
Select
5
100 pF
10 Ω
47 nH
10 nF
22 pF
Prescaler
128/129 or
64/65
7
VCC
10 Ω
VCC
32
3
VCC
44
10 nF
37
OSC SEL
45
PRESCL OUT
36
MOD CTRL
35
DIV CTRL
33 pF
9
24
Linear
RSSI
10 Ω
11
8.2 uH
25
FM OUT
26
DATA OUT
12
10 nF
22 pF
11 pF
13
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
22
Filter
10 nF
10 nF
27
29
10 nF
10 nF
RSSI
23
10 pF
51 kΩ
10 nF
Filter
10 nF
28
5 pF
FM Disc.
11
MUTE
D1 : SMV1233-011
Rev B11 010516
PLL LOOP BANDWIDTH ~5 kHz
22 pF
10 nF
TRANSCEIVERS
VCC
10 Ω
11-67
RF2905
Evaluation Board Schematic
(Download Bill of Materials from www.rfmd.com.)
P1
P 1-1
P 1-3
P2
P3
1
T X E N A B L P 2-1
1
LV L A D J
2
GND
2
GND
3
P LL E N A B L P 2-3
3
N /C
P4
1
P 3-1
P 3-3
GND
P 4-2
2
RX ENABL
P 4-3
3
O SC SEL
P 4-4
4
D IV C T R L
P 4-5
5
M U TE
C 34
4.7 µF
M O D CTRL
2
GND
3
VCC
S LIC E R IN
R 10
50 kΩ
C 29 1nF
R 11 1M Ω
C 28
10 nF
R 21
50 kΩ
P 5-1
3
4
1
LO C K D E T
2
GND
C 32
10 nF
C 33
22 pF
C 41
3-10
pF
R 23
0Ω
C 24
100pF
X 2*
LV L A D J
C 26
3.3 nF
C 42
3-10
pF
48
RX ENABL
47
46
45
44
1
TX ENABL
R 9*
X 1*
42
41
40
39
38
O SC SEL
37
Lock
D etector
G ain
C ontrol
2
43
R ef
S elect
C 1 100 pF
3
L6*
L7*
C 35*
C 36*
C 27
47nF
C 25 C 23
100 pF100 pF
P LL E N A B L
J1
RF
C 39*
P rescaler
128/129 or
64/65
4
C2
100 pF
R1
10 Ω
L1*
C3
10 nF
C4
22 pF
VCC
36
M OD CTRL
35
D IV C TR L
J6
M O D IN
34
5
P hase
D etector &
C harge P um p
7
30
C 18*
D1
10
27
11
26
C 16 10 nF
C7
22 pF
12
R4
8.2 kΩ
TRANSCEIVERS
C8
10 pF
C 22
10 nF
L4*
C 19
22 pF
C 20
10 nF R 6
10 Ω
R 13 1.5 kΩ
C D F107B -A 0.001
J5
D A TA O U T
J4
FM O U T
25
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
R 15
0Ω
C9
C 10 C 11
10 nF 10 nF 10 nF
F1
S FE C V 10.7
M S 3S -A -T C
B W =180kH z
R8
0Ω
D IS C
L2 8.2 uH
C6
10 nF
C 21
22 pF
28
C 17 4 pF
R3
10 Ω
L5*
S M V 1233-011
29
Linear
RSSI
9
VCC
VCC
R7
10 Ω
32
31
8
R 17
3.9 kΩ
33
6
C 5*
11
LO C K D E T
U3
LM C 7211
R 18 TB D
C ircuit not populated.
O ptional Lock D etector
or O O K D ata S licer
R 16
TBD
C 31
22 pF
1
Q1
2N 3904
C 38
0.1 µF
C 30
10 nF
2
5
C 40
33 nF
P5
R 12
10 Ω
VCC
1
C 12 C 13 C 14
10 nF 10 nF 10 nF
J3
C 15
1 nF
R5
51 kΩ
R 22
N /C
M UTE
S LIC E R IN
F2
S FE C V 10.7
M S 3S -A -T C
B W =180kH z
R 14 C 37
0 Ω 120 pF
J2
M IX O U T
L3
2.2 µH
2905400-, 401-, 402-
Te st O n ly
N ot P o p ula te d
B oard
11-68
C 35 (pF)
L6 (nH )
L7 (nH )
C 39 (pF )
L1 (nH )
C 5 (pF)
C 18 (pF)
L4,L5(nH )
R 9 (kΩ)
X 1 (M H z)
L (433M H z)
8
22
22
8
47
35
3
27
2.4
6.78
X 2 (M H z)
6.612
M (868M H z)
4
8.2
Jum per
N /C
10
10
5
4.7
2.7
13.577344
13.410156
H (915M H z)
4
8.2
Jum per
N /C
10
10
5
4.7
2.7
7.15909
7.07549
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
Evaluation Board Layout
Board Size 3.05” x 3.05”
Board Thickness 0.031”, Board Material FR-4, Multi-Layer
(Same board layout is used for the -L, -M, and -H versions.)
TRANSCEIVERS
11
Rev B11 010516
11-69
RF2905
TRANSCEIVERS
11
11-70
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
TRANSCEIVERS
11
Rev B11 010516
11-71
RF2905
0.8
Swp Max
1.2GHz
2.0
0.6
RXonTXoff
1.0
LNA S11
RXoffTXoff
0.
4
0
3.
4.0
5.0
0.2
0.3GHz
10.0
4.0
5.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
10.0
0.3GHz
-10.0
-0.2
-4.
0
-5.0
.0
.0
-2
-1.0
-0.
6
-0.8
Swp Min
0.3GHz
Swp Max
1.2GHz
2.0
0.6
0.8
1.0
RF OUT S22
TXonRXoff
0.
4
11
-3
.4
-0
0
3.
4.0
5.0
0.2
10.0
10.0
4.0
5.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
TRANSCEIVERS
0.3GHz
-10.0
-0.2
-4.
0
-5.0
.0
.0
-2
-1.0
-0.8
-0.
6
11-72
-3
.4
-0
Swp Min
0.3GHz
Rev B11 010516
RF2905
RSSI
Ω
Freq. = 915 MHz, VCC = 3.6V, RLoad = 51 kΩ
2.5
Modulation Deviation
Freq. = 915 MHz, VCC = 2.7 V, LVL ADJ = 2.7 V
600.0
500.0
Deviation From Carrier (kHz)
RSSI Output (Volts)
2.0
1.5
1.0
400.0
300.0
200.0
0.5
100.0
0.0
-100.0
-80.0
-60.0
-40.0
0.0
0.5
1.0
Received Power (dBm)
Modulation Deviation
Freq. = 915 MHz, VCC = 3.3 V, LVL ADJ = 3.3 V
2.0
2.5
3.0
Modulation Deviation
Freq. = 915 MHz, VCC = 5.0 V, LVL ADJ = 5.0 V
600.0
1200.0
500.0
1000.0
Deviation From Carrier (kHz)
Deviation From Carrier (kHz)
1.5
MOD IN (Volts)
400.0
300.0
200.0
100.0
800.0
600.0
400.0
11
200.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
MOD IN (Volts)
Rev B11 010516
2.5
3.0
3.5
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
MOD IN (Volts)
11-73
TRANSCEIVERS
0.0
-120.0
RF2905
RX Mode Current versus VCC
Freq = 905 MHz
12.00
TX Power Output and ICC versus
VCC at 905 MHz, LVL ADJ = VCC
10.00
40.00
Power(dBm)
9.00
Icc (mA)
Icc(mA)
11.00
35.00
8.00
7.00
30.00
9.00
6.00
25.00
5.00
ICC (mA)
RF P O (dBm)
ICC (mA)
10.00
4.00
8.00
20.00
3.00
2.00
7.00
15.00
1.00
6.00
2.50
2.75
3.00
3.25
3.50
3.75
4.00
4.25
4.50
4.75
0.00
2.50
5.00
2.75
3.00
3.25
VCC (V)
30.0
10.0
4.75
10.00
5.00
30.0
0.0
20.0
-5.0
15.0
-5.0
15.0
11
-10.0
10.0
-10.0
10.0
-15.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
5.0
-15.0
4.0
ICC (mA)
25.0
ICC (mA)
5.0
RF P O (dBm)
20.0
RF P O (dBm)
0.0
5.0
0.0
LVL ADJ (V)
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
LVL ADJ (V)
TX Power Output and ICC versus
Level Adjust at 905 MHz, 3.6 V VCC
10.0
4.50
Icc (mA)
25.0
TRANSCEIVERS
Icc (mA)
1.0
4.25
P out (dB)
5.0
0.5
4.00
TX Power Output and ICC versus
Level Adjust at 868 MHz, 3.6 V VCC
P out (dB)
0.0
3.75
VCC, LVL ADJ (V)
TX Power Output and ICC versus
Level Adjust at 433 MHz, 3.6 V VCC
10.0
3.50
30.0
P out (dB)
Icc (mA)
RF P O (dBM)
5.0
25.0
20.0
-5.0
15.0
-10.0
10.0
ICC (mA)
0.0
-15.0
5.0
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
LVL ADJ (V)
11-74
Rev B11 010516