MICRO-LINEAR ML2721DH

PRELIMINARY
ML2721 Low IF Digital Cordless Transceiver
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The ML2721 can be used as a single chip digital cordless
telephone transceiver or general purpose Frequency Shift
Keying (FSK) radio transceiver. It is designed to work in
the 902 to 928MHz ISM band under FCC Part 15
regulations. The device integrates all the frequency
generation, receive and transmit functions for data rates
up to 1.5Mbps. A complete radio only requires the
addition of an antenna switch. Micro Linear’s ML2751 is
an integrated 100mW power amplifier and receive LNA
with transmit/receive PIN diode drivers, and it can be
used with the ML2721 for extended range capability.
The ML2721 contains a proprietary low IF receiver with
all channel selectivity. An image reject mixer brings the
915MHz RF signal down to a low IF frequency of
1.024MHz. Then all IF filtering, IF gain, and
demodulation is performed at 1.024MHz. This provides all
the benefits of direct conversion to baseband and
minimizes the need for RF filtering. Also, the ML2721 can
operate with either a low cost LC filter or a SAW filter.
A single 1.83GHz synthesizer is used for both the receiver
LO and the transmitter. The ML2721 transmitter modulates
the VCO with filtered data, and a driver amplifier
provides typically 0dBm at 915MHz. The VCO and PLL
incorporate the resonator, the active devices, and the
tuning circuitry for a completely integrated function. An
internal post detection filter and data slicer are also
included.
The ML2721 contains its own DC regulation which allows
the IC to operate over a wide power supply voltage range.
It also has a simple baseband interface for transmit power
management, PLL control and detection, and RSSI
(Receiver Signal Strength Indication).
FEATURES
n Single chip 900MHz Radio Transceiver
n Fully integrated filters for all IF, FM discriminator and
data filtering
n Image reject mixer & proprietary Low IF architecture
reduce the need for RF filtering
n Integrated 1.83GHz frequency synthesizer with internal
VCO resonator
n TX/RX calibration for max power transmission
n Modulation compensation for improved sensitivity
performance
n PLL Programmed via 3-wire interface
n DC regulation for 2.7V to 5.0V operation (IC
performance is reduced from 2.7V to 3.2V)
n PLL lock detect output
n Analog Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI)
output to baseband IC
n Easily upgradable for extended range with ML2751
APPLICATIONS
n 900MHz DSSS cordless phones
n 900 to 930MHz radio transceivers with ranges from 10
feet to 1000 feet and data rates to 1.5Mbps
n Single IC 900MHz low power radio
n FCC Part 15 compliant radio links
n Portable computer/PDA
n TDD and TDMA radios
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Description ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Features ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Applications ............................................................................................................................................................... 1
Simplified Block Diagrams ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Block Diagram ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Pin Configuration ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Pin Descriptions ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Functional Description ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Circuit Block Descriptions ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Modes Of Operation .................................................................................................................................................. 10
Overview ................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Receive Modes ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
Transmit Mode ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
Standby Mode .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Test Mode ................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Control Interfaces ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
Register Information ................................................................................................................................................. 17
Transmit and Receive Data Interfaces ...................................................................................................................... 22
Applications ............................................................................................................................................................... 23
Electrical Characteristics ............................................................................................................................................ 24
Electrical Tables ......................................................................................................................................................... 24
Absolute Maximum Ratings ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Operating Conditions ................................................................................................................................................. 24
Physical Dimensions .................................................................................................................................................. 28
Ordering Information .................................................................................................................................................. 28
WARRANTY
Micro Linear makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, utility, or completeness of the contents
of this publication and reserves the right to make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time without
notice. No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any patents or other intellectual property rights is
granted by this document. The circuits contained in this document are offered as possible applications only. Particular uses
or applications may invalidate some of the specifications and/or product descriptions contained herein. The customer is
urged to perform its own engineering review before deciding on a particular application. Micro Linear assumes no liability
whatsoever, and disclaims any express or implied warranty, relating to sale and/or use of Micro Linear products including
liability or warranties relating to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or infringement of any intellectual property
right. Micro Linear products are not designed for use in medical, life saving, or life sustaining applications.
© Micro Linear 2000. is a registered trademark of Micro Linear Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Products described herein may be covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents: 4,897,611; 4,964,026; 5,027,116;
5,281,862; 5,283,483; 5,418,502; 5,508,570; 5,510,727; 5,523,940; 5,546,017; 5,559,470; 5,565,761; 5,592,128; 5,594,376;
5,652,479; 5,661,427; 5,663,874; 5,672,959; 5,689,167; 5,714,897; 5,717,798; 5,742,151; 5,747,977; 5,754,012; 5,757,174;
5,767,653; 5,777,514; 5,793,168; 5,798,635; 5,804,950; 5,808,455; 5,811,999; 5,818,207; 5,818,669; 5,825,165; 5,825,223;
5,838,723; 5.844,378; 5,844,941. Japan: 2,598,946; 2,619,299; 2,704,176; 2,821,714. Other patents are pending.
2
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
SIMPLIFIED BLOCK DIAGRAMS
DOUT
ML2721
IF CIRCUITS
RSSI
2
FEEN
PAON
REF
TPS
LD
ML2751
ANTENNA
RRFO
LC
CLK,
DATA,
3 EN
RRFI
FILTER
RF PIN
DIODE
SWITCH
PINB
PIN
RF
SWITCH
DRIVERS
BASEBAND
IC
PLL
IMAGE
REJECT
MIXER
XCEN,
RXON,
3 PLLEN
CONTROL
LOGIC
TPA
TX RF
PA + DRIVER
TRFI
LC
TRFO
FILTER
TX RF
BUFFER
DIN
TX DATA
FILTER
QUADRATURE
DIVIDE BY 2
1.83GHz VCO
VCCA
BATTERY
AND
PROTECTION
CIRCUITS
QPO
VTUNE
LOOP
FILTER
900MHz DSSS Cordless Phone Application
ML2721
DOUT
IF CIRCUITS
RSSI
REF
LD
CLK,
DATA,
3 EN
RRFI
PLL
IMAGE
REJECT
MIXER
ANTENNA
CONTROL
LOGIC
TRFO
TX DATA
FILTER
QUADRATURE
DIVIDE BY 2
TX RF
BUFFER
BASEBAND
IC
1.83GHz VCO
XCEN,
RXON,
3 PLLEN
DIN
VCCA
VTUNE
BATTERY
AND
PROTECTION
CIRCUITS
QPO
LOOP
FILTER
General Purpose FSK Radio
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
3
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
BLOCK DIAGRAM
VDD
RVCC1
RVCC3
RVCC4
RVCC6
RVCC7
VCC2
31
10
14
22
27
29
13
IF
FILTER
VBG
VCC5
26
28 RSSI
DC
REGULATORS
24
LOCK
DETECT
REFERENCE
DIVIDER
Q
I
RX
QUADRATURE
MIXERS
RRFI
LO PHASE/
FREQUENCY
DETECTOR
LO 6-BIT
SWALLOW
COUNTER
CONTROL
LOGIC
21
PRESCALAR
32 / 33
I
TX RF
BUFFER
4
ADDRESS
DECODE
LO 6-BIT
COUNTER
LO CHARGE
PUMP
TRFO
32 DOUT
TEST
MUX
FILTER
ALIGN
RSSI
DATA
SLICER
DATA
FILTER
DEMOD
LIMITER
23
REF
7
LD
4
EN
5
DATA
6
CLK
1
XCEN
2
RXON
3
PLLEN
PRESCALAR
CONTROL
1.83GHz VCO
Q
TX DATA
FILTER
QUADRATURE
DIVIDE BY 2
LIMITER
9
30 DIN
8
11
12
16
17
18
15
19
20
25
VSS
QPO
GND
GND
GND
GND
VTUNE
GND
GND
GND
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
PIN CONFIGURATION
GND
RVCC
6
VBG
RVCC
7
RSSI/TPI
DIN
VDD
DOUT
ML2721
32-Pin TQFP (H32-7)
XCEN
32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25
24
1
RXON
2
23
5
TRFO
PLLEN
3
22
RVCC
EN
4
21
RRFI
DATA
5
20
GND
VCC
GND
VSS
8
17
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
GND
REF
9
GND
GND
18
VCC
2
RVCC
3
VTUNE
19
7
GND
6
RVCC
1
QPO
CLK
LD/TPQ
4
TOP VIEW
PIN DESCRIPTIONS
Pin #
Signal Name
I/O
Description
Power & Ground
13
VCC2
I (analog)
DC Power Supply Input to the VCO voltage regulator
24
VCC5
I (analog)
DC power supply Input to Voltage Regulators and unregulated loads:
2.7 to 5.0V. VCC5 is the main (or master) analog VCC pin. There must
be a capacitor to ground from this pin to decouple (bypass) noise and
to stabilize the regulator
16
GND
I (analog)
DC ground for VCO and LO circuits
10
RVCC1
O (analog)
DC power supply decoupling point for the PLL dividers, phase detector,
and charge pump. This pin is connected to the output of the regulator
and to the PLL supplies. There must be a capacitor to ground from this
pin to decouple (bypass) noise and to stabilize the regulator
14
RVCC3
O (analog)
DC power supply decoupling point for the VCO. Connected to the
output of the VCO regulator. There must be a capacitor to ground from
this pin to decouple (bypass) noise and to stabilize the regulator
22
RVCC4
O (analog)
DC power supply decoupling point for the LO Chain. Connected to the
output of a regulator. There must be a capacitor to ground from this pin
to decouple (bypass) noise and to stabilize the regulator
27
RVCC6
O (analog)
DC power supply decoupling point for Quadrature Mixer and IF filter
circuits. There must be a capacitor to ground from this pin to decouple
(bypass) noise and to stabilize the regulator
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
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PRELIMINARY
ML2721
PIN DESCRIPTIONS (continued)
Pin #
Signal Name
I/O
Description
Power & Ground (Continued)
29
RVCC7
O (analog)
DC power supply decoupling point for IF, Demodulator, and Data
Slicer circuits. There must be a capacitor to ground from this pin to
decouple (bypass) noise and to stabilize the regulator
25
GND
I (analog)
DC Ground to IF, Demodulator, and Data Slicer circuits
12
GND
I (analog)
Ground for the PLL dividers, phase detector, and charge pump
17
GND
I (analog)
Signal ground for RF small signal circuits. Pins 17, 18, and 19 should
have short, direct connections to each other and additional
connections to ground
18
GND
I (analog)
Ground return for the Receive RF input
19
GND
I (analog)
Signal ground for the Receive mixers
20
GND
I (analog)
DC and Signal ground for the Transmit RF Output buffer
31
VDD
I (analog)
DC power supply input to the interface logic and control registers. This
supply is not internally connected to any other supply pin, but its
voltage must be less than or equal to the VCC5 supply, and greater
than 2.7V. There must be a capacitor to ground from this pin to
decouple (bypass) noise and to stabilize the regulator
8
VSS
I (digital)
Ground for digital I/O circuits and control logic
Transmit/Receive
21
RRFI
I (analog)
Receive RF Input. Nominal impedance at 902 to 928MHz is 50W, with
a simple matching network required for optimum noise figure. This
input is to the base of an NPN transistor and should be AC coupled
23
TRFO
O (analog)
Transmit RF Output. A broadband 50W output which sources 0dBm
over the 902 to 928MHz range. This output is an emitter follower and
should be AC coupled
30
DIN
I (CMOS)
Transmit Data input. Drives the transmit pulse shaping circuits. Serial
digital data on this pin becomes FSK modulation on the Transmit RF
output. Data timing is controlled by the logic timing on this pin. The
modulation deviation is determined by internal circuits. This is a
standard CMOS input referenced to VDD &VSS
32
DOUT
O (CMOS)
Serial digital output after demodulation, chip rate filtering and center
data slicing. A CMOS level output (VSS to VDD) with controlled slew
rates. A low drive output designed to drive a PCB trace and a CMOS
logic input while generating minimal RFI. In digital test modes this pin
becomes a test access port controlled by the serial control bus
Data
Mode Control and Interface Lines
6
1
XCEN
I (CMOS)
Enables the bandgap reference and voltage regulators when high.
Consumes only leakage current in standby mode when low. This is a
CMOS input, and the thresholds are referenced to VDD & VSS
2
RXON
I (CMOS)
Switches the transceiver between Transmit and Receive modes.
Circuits are powered up and signal paths reconfigured according to the
operating mode. This is a CMOS input, and the thresholds are
referenced to VDD & VSS
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
PIN DESCRIPTIONS (continued)
Pin #
Signal Name
I/O
Description
Mode Control and Interface Lines (Continued)
3
PLLEN
I (CMOS)
Enables the PLL at the beginning of a Transmit or Receive slot. Goes
low before data is received or transmitted. RXON and PLLEN define
four distinct operating modes. This is a CMOS input, and the thresholds
are referenced to VDD & VSS
7
LD/TPQ
O (CMOS)
The Lock Detect output is an open drain output that goes low when the
PLL is in frequency lock. In analog test modes this pin and the RSSI
output become test access points controlled by the serial control bus
9
REF
I
Input for the 6.144MHz or 12.288MHz reference frequency. This is
used as the reference frequency for the PLL, and as a calibration
frequency for the on chip filters. This is a self-biased CMOS input that
is designed to be driven either by a an AC coupled sine wave source
(recommended coupling capacitor is 470pF) or by a standard CMOS
output
11
QPO
O
Charge Pump Output of the phase detector. This is connected to the
external PLL loop filter
15
VTUNE
I
VCO Tuning Voltage input from the PLL loop filter. This pin is very
sensitive to noise coupling and leakage currents
26
VBG
O
Bandgap reference voltage. Decoupled to ground with a 220nF
capacitor
28
RSSI/TPI
O
Buffered Analog RSSI output with a nominal sensitivity of 33mV/dB.
An RF input signal range of –95 to –15dBm gives an RSSI voltage
output of zero to 2.7V. In analog test modes this pin and the LD output
become test access ports
Serial Bus Signals
4
EN
I (CMOS)
Enable pin for the three wire serial control bus which sets the
operating frequency and programmable options. The control registers
are loaded on a low to high transition of the signal. Serial control bus
data is ignored when it is high. This is a CMOS input, and the
thresholds are referenced to VDD & VSS
5
DATA
I (CMOS)
Serial control bus data. 16 bit words which include programming data
and the two bit address of a control register. This is a CMOS input, and
the thresholds are referenced to VDD & VSS
6
CLK
I (CMOS)
Serial control bus data is clocked in on the rising edge when EN is
low. This is a CMOS input, the thresholds are referenced to VDD & VSS
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
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PRELIMINARY
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCTION
The ML2721 enables the design and manufacture of low
cost, high performance digital DSSS cordless telephone
transceivers. It can also be used as a general purpose
900MHz transceiver. Integral to the ML2721 is a low IF
receiver whose LO port is driven from an internal
synthesizer. Included are image rejection IF filters,
limiters, discriminator, data slicers, and baseband lowpass
data filters. It also contains internal voltage regulators to
protect critical circuits from power supply noise and
transmit modulation circuits.
The ML2721 has an internal control interface that
programs the synthesizer, the mode of operation, the
external LNA and PA, and provides a convenient and
flexible interface to various baseband processors. For
power level monitoring an RSSI block is included.
The ML2721 is designed to transmit and receive
1.536Mchips signals in 2.048MHz spaced channels in the
902 to 928MHz ISM band. The 1.536Mchips rate with a
15 bit spreading code gives a 102.4kb/s data rate and
provides a 10dB processing gain.
In the Receive mode the ML2721 is a single conversion
low IF receiver. The IF frequency of 1.024MHz results in
an image response in an adjacent channel. An image
reject mixer gives sufficient rejection in this channel. All
IF filtering and demodulation is performed using active
filtering, centered at 1.024MHz. The demodulator is
followed by a matched bit rate filter and a data slicer. The
sliced data is provided to a baseband chip for despreading.
In the Transmit mode the ML2721 uses the Receive mode
VCO and frequency division, with a driver amplifier
providing typically 0dBm output to feed the power
amplifier. The PLL frequency synthesizer loop is opened
during the transmit slot, and the VCO is directly
modulated by low-pass filtered circuits from the internal
modulation filter.
The frequency generation circuits are an internal VCO at
1.83GHz, dividers, a phase comparator and a charge
pump for a PLL frequency synthesizer. The VCO output is
divided by two to produce accurate quadrature outputs at
915MHz. No external components are need for the VCO.
Other modes that are available include power down, and
receive and transmit calibrate, which are discussed in
further detail.
ML2721
CIRCUIT BLOCK DESCRIPTIONS
PHASE LOCKED LOOP (PLL) AND VOLTAGE
CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR (VCO)
The PLL synthesizes channel frequencies to a 512kHz
resolution, which is more finely spaced than the
1.536MHz signal bandwidth. Non-overlapping channels
are spaced by 2.048MHz where the IF filter and image
reject mixer give a typical adjacent channel rejection of
25dB. There are twelve non-overlapping channels in the
902 to 928MHz ISM band. See Table 1.
Channel
Frequency in MHz
1
903.680
2
905.728
3
907.776
4
909.824
5
911.872
6
913.920
7
915.968
8
918.016
9
920.064
10
922.112
11
924.160
12
926.208
Table 1. Non-Overlapping Channel Frequencies
The LO PLL is programmed via a 3-wire serial control bus.
Program words are clocked in on the DATA line (pin 5) by
the CLK (pin 6), and loaded into the dividers or control
circuits when EN (pin 4) is asserted. There is no check for
error in the program words. Once loaded, register contents
are preserved regardless of power conditions. The register
status and operation is independent of the mode of
operation of the PLL.
The reference signal from an external crystal oscillator at
either 6.144MHz or 12.288MHz is fed to a programmable
reference divider. The 1.024MHz reference divider output
is fed to the LO phase frequency detector. The PLL
prescaler input comes from the VCO at 1.83GHz, so the
1.024MHz comparison frequency gives 512kHz frequency
resolution at 902 to 928MHz.
The output of the LO divider is fed to the LO phase/
frequency detector and subsequently to the charge pump.
The dividers and charge pump are disabled during the
active slot to save power.
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PRELIMINARY
ML2721
CIRCUIT BLOCK DESCRIPTIONS
LO VCO AND TRANSMIT DRIVER
DATA FILTER AND DATA SLICER
The internal LO VCO operates at 1.8 to 1.86GHz, which
is two times the LO frequency of 900 to 930MHz. The
VCO output is divided by 2 to give accurately matched
quadrature signals at 915MHz. In Receive mode the LO is
offset from the wanted signal by +1.024MHz to produce
the low IF. This 1.024MHz shift is produced by
automatically adding an offset of +2 counts to the PLL
divider programming.
The FM demodulator is followed by a Gaussian lowpass
filter whose 768kHz cutoff frequency is matched to the
transmitted 1.536Mchip/s waveform. This Gaussian filter is
implemented with similar circuits to the IF filter, and is
shared with the Transmit modulation path. The filter output
can be AC coupled to the slicer because the spreading
code is almost DC balanced. The data slicer signal is
output to the baseband processor for timing recovery and
decoding.
In Transmit mode the LO is frequency modulated by the
transmitted data, using a modulation port of the VCO. The
VCO output is divided by 2 and a driver amplifier
typically develops 0dBm at 900 to 930MHz to directly
drive an ML2751 power amplifier.
TRANSMIT DATA FILTER AND MODULATION DRIVER
Logic level NRZ signals at DIN are scaled and filtered by
a 5th-order lowpass filter. The lowpass filter is tuned to
give a 1.35MHz 3dB point to pass the 1.536Mchips
transmit data. The filter data is then fed to the internal
modulation port of the LO tank circuit.
In the transmit closed loop mode the modulation port is
held at its midpoint so that the synthesizer locks to the
center channel frequency. In the transmit open loop mode
the VCO is modulated by Gaussian filtered data via the
VCO modulation port. The modulation driver contains
scaling circuitry to control the FM deviation over the
entire VCO tuning range. This circuit is inactive in the
receive mode.
POWER SUPPLY
The ML2721 uses multiple voltage regulators to protect
sensitive internal circuits from power supply noise.
Separate regulators supply the PLL dividers, RF circuits
and IF circuits. Each of these regulators takes its power
from VCC5, and supplies power internally to its respective
RVCCn pin. External capacitors are required at each
RVCCn pin to decouple the outputs of the internal
regulators. The VCO regulator takes its power from the
VCC2 pin which is normally connected to the RVCC6 pin.
An external decoupling capacitor is also used on the
internal bandgap voltage reference to improve the noise
performance of the regulators.
These regulators are effective at supply voltages from
3.0V to 5.0V. As the VCC5 supply voltage drops below
3.0V chip performance gradually degrades, but the
ML2721 transceiver will maintain the link as long as the
supply voltage is greater than 2.7V.
RECEIVE MIXERS AND IF CHAIN
The Receive RF quadrature mixers down-convert the
signal to the 1.024MHz receiver IF. The input of the mixer
is single-ended and matched to 50W by a series inductor.
This gives a good terminating impedance for the
preceding RF filter. The quadrature outputs of the down
converter feed the IF filter. The quadrature mixer and IF
filter together achieve a typical image rejection of 35dB.
A quadrature combiner for the image reject mixer and a
12th-order Gaussian bandpass filter make up the active IF
filters. The active filters provide an accurate Gaussian
characteristic with a 1.408MHz, 3dB bandwidth which
improves both sensitivity and adjacent channel rejection.
The IF amplifiers provide the bulk of the receiver’s gain.
An RSSI signal is generated by using the outputs of the IF
amplifiers. The RSSI signal is conditioned and sent to the
baseband controller. A frequency-to-voltage converter
provides highly linear FM demodulation with good data
recovery from the low IF.
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
9
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
MODES OF OPERATION
OVERVIEW
RECEIVE MODES
n
STANDBY: All circuits powered down, except the
control interface (Static CMOS)
RXCAL AND RECEIVE
n
RXCAL: Receive Calibration. PLL lock up time and
IF filter alignment, prior to RECEIVE
n
RECEIVE: Receiver circuits active
n
TXCAL: Transmit Calibration. PLL lock up time prior
to TRANSMIT
n
TRANSMIT: PLL open loop, modulated RF output
available from IC
The four operational modes are RXCAL, RECEIVE, TXCAL
and TRANSMIT. They are set by the RXON (pin 2) and
PLLEN (pin 3) control pins. XCEN (pin 1) is the chip
enable/disable pin and can be set for standby operation.
The relationship between the parallel control lines and the
mode of operation of the IC is given in Table 2.
PARALLEL MODE CONTROL
XCEN
RXON
PLLEN
Mode
0
X
X
STANDBY
1
1
1
RXCAL
1
1
0
RECEIVE
1
0
1
TXCAL
1
0
0
TRANSMIT
In RECEIVE mode, the received signal at 900MHz is down
converted, bandpass filtered (IF filter), fed to the
frequency-to-voltage converter and low-pass filtered. The
output of the low-pass filter is fed to the data slicer which
outputs NRZ digital data. An RSSI voltage output
indicates the signal level at the output of the IF filter.
Prior to receive mode the ML2721 should be switched to
RXCAL mode. This is to allow the IF filters to be aligned
and for the PLL to switch frequency and settle to the
required frequency for receiving. Filter alignment, using
the Reference Frequency input signal REF, in the RXCAL
mode sets:
n
Discriminator center frequency
n
IF filter center frequency and bandwidth
n
Receiver data low pass filter bandwidth
n
Transmit data low pass filter bandwidth
In receive mode the programmed center frequency sets
the RF channel that will be received. This means the PLL
center frequency is the programmed RF center frequency
plus the IF frequency. The frequency offset required for the
low frequency IF in the RXCAL mode is automatically
calculated and performed.
Table 2. Mode Selection
The ML2721 is intended for use in TDD and TDMA radios
in battery powered equipment. To minimize power
consumption it is designed to switch rapidly from a low
power mode (STANDBY) to receive or transmit. The
ML2721 can also make a quick transition from receive to
transmit for TDD operation. Prior to transmitting or
receiving time should be allowed for the PLL to lock up,
and in the case of receive, for the IF filters to be aligned.
The ML2721 operates as a TDD radio on one RF frequency
(transmit or receive). The VCO frequency changes
between receive and transmit functions because of the IF
frequency. This VCO frequency step is automatically
performed.
RECEIVER CIRCUIT OPERATION
The ML2721 receive chain is a low IF receiver using
advanced integrated radio techniques to eliminate
external IF filters and minimize external RF filter
requirements. No external support circuitry is required
other than supply decoupling and input matching. The
precise filtering and demodulation circuits give improved
performance over conventional radio designs using
external filters. See Figure 1.
ILO
I.F. FILTER
RECEIVER
RX
INPUT
LIMITING
AMPLIFIERS
DATA FILTER
F
QLO
RSSI
AGC
Figure 1. Receiver Block Diagram
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PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
V
∫
DOUT
RSSI
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
MODES OF OPERATION (CONTINUED)
ILO
DATA FILTER
QLO
F
V
∫
FCOMP
CAL I
TONE
Q
GEN
FREF or
FREF/2
TRACKING
COUNTER
Figure 2. Dual Modulus Signal Divider
The signal flow in RECEIVE mode is from the RF input,
through an image reject mixer, IF filter, hard limiter,
Frequency to Voltage converter, data filter and data slicer.
The ML2721 uses a single conversion super heterodyne
receiver with a nominal IF of 1.024 MHz. An AGC
subsystem extends the dynamic range of the receiver. The
IF frequency and filter bandwidths are given in Table 3.
Reference Division Ratio
6
12
Parameter
RD0 = 0
RD0 = 1
REF/6
REF/12
REF/4.4
REF/8.8
REF/8
REF/16
REF/6
REF/12
IF filter center frequency
IF filter bandwidth
Receive data filter
F to V converter center frequency
Table 3. Filter Parameters to Division Ratio
Major features of the receiver are:
FILTER ALIGNMENT
In RXCAL mode the receiver is not functional. Instead, the
ML2721 filter alignment function tunes all the internal
filters using the reference frequency from the REF pin. See
Figure 2.
The IF filter, data filters, and the F-to-V converter all have
their frequency responses governed by RC time constants.
Every capacitor that affects the frequency response
includes a binary weighted capacitor array controlled by
a 7 bit tuning bus. In RXCAL mode a reference tone at the
IF center frequency is routed to the F-to-V converter. A
digital tracking loop then adjusts the tuning word until
there is mid-rail output from the F-to-V converter. This
tracking loop may take up to 300µs to tune the filter when
XCEN is asserted, but the tracking loop will continue to
make small adjustments whenever the ML2721 is in
RXCAL mode. Because all the filters in the chip are tuned
in this manner, centering the F-to-V converter sets up the
correct center frequencies and bandwidths for all the
filters.
n
High dynamic range mixers with 10dB noise figure, –
15dBm IP3, 35dB image rejection (typical)
n
6-pole bandpass IF filter, with accurate Gaussian to
12dB response
n
The ML2721 must be placed in RXCAL mode for 300µs
whenever XCEN is asserted to give time for the filters to
align completely.
Center frequency 1.024MHz, Bandwidth 1.408 MHz
(nominal)
Data Slicer
n
Limiting IF amplifiers with >80dB gain, and excellent
AM rejection
n
AGC to extend the dynamic range of the integrated
filters & RSSI
n
Logarithmic RSSI output from Limiter; AGC state is
information added to give 80dB range
n
FM demodulation by a linear F-to-V converter
n
5-pole low-pass data filter with an accurate Gaussian
response and 3dB cutoff at 768kHz (nominal)
n 2 level data slicer with DC offset removal
The output of the receiver is quantized in amplitude (to 1
bit) but there is no internal timing recovery. Timing
recovery is performed in the external baseband circuits.
January, 2000
The data slicer is a comparator that is AC coupled to the
receive data filter output. The output is logic high or logic
low. This circuit is designed to rapidly acquire valid data
at the beginning of a received packet of data. The
nominal time constant for the AC coupling is 9µs. This
limits the maximum recommended run length to four ones
or zeroes at 1.3Mbps. Longer run lengths require the use
of a more complex external data slicer circuit.
Data Output Drive
The ML2721 DOUT pin is designed to drive a PCB trace
and a single logic input with controlled slew rates. Buffer
the output when driving any logic load greater than 5pF
(i.e., more than an ´10 oscilloscope probe or a single
CMOS logic input pin).
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
11
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
OVERVIEW (continued)
TRANSMIT MODE
Transmitter Circuit Operation
TXCAL AND TRANSMIT
The ML2721 transmitter is a 2-FSK transmitter using a
directly modulated open loop VCO. See Figure 3. This
type of transmitter is simple, low power, and well suited
to a time-slotted system. The transmitter uses the stored
VCO tuning voltage on the PLL loop filter to set the VCO
frequency for the duration of the transmit slot. The
modulation is introduced through a second VCO tuning
port. This modulation port has a much lower tuning
sensitivity than the main tuning port in order to produce
the ±550kHz FSK deviation. Compensation circuits
stabilize the modulation deviation over the VCO tuning
range, and internal logic manages the correct transition
from TXCAL to TRANSMIT mode. The ML2721 design
supports transmit slot lengths up to 10ms, and the time
required to set up the transmitter for a new slot (TXCAL
mode) is 70µs.
In TRANSMIT mode, the VCO is directly modulated with
filtered FSK transmit data. The PLL is disabled or open,
with the charge pump output tri-stated. This stops the PLL
from contending with the applied modulation. The digital
transmit data input is generated by external baseband
circuits. This input signal is level shifted and filtered by the
transmit modulation filter prior to modulating the VCO
frequency. Due to the low leakage current of the charge
pump and tank circuit the ML2721 can be in TRANSMIT
mode for slot lengths of up to 10ms.
During RXCAL mode the transmit modulation data filter is
automatically tuned to remove the need for production
alignment. When the ML2721 is powered up (VDD first
applied) the tuning information is reset to mid-range. The
filter alignment mode should be used after power up or
XCEN enabled, and prior to transmission. This ensures the
modulation filters are aligned to prevent unwanted
spurious emissions.
Prior to transmitting the PLL must tune to the intended RF
center frequency of the transmission. This occurs in TXCAL
mode. The Transmit modulation is disabled and any input
on the DIN pin is ignored. The transmit output buffer is
enabled during TXCAL mode. To prevent spurious emissions
due to the PLL locking, any external RXON switch or PA
should be disabled during TXCAL mode.
The operating cycle of the transmitter starts with TXCAL
mode. See Figure 4. The data filter input is zeroed and the
PLL locks the VCO frequency to the desired RF channel
center frequency. A CW signal at the selected RF channel
frequency comes out of the Transmit RF output. When the
PLLEN control line is de-asserted the transmitter starts its
transition to TRANSMIT mode. The PLL charge pump is
disabled, leaving the PLL loop filter to hold the correct
tuning voltage for this channel. The data formatter injects
an NRZ bipolar data waveform into the Transmit data
filter. The Transmit data filter band-limits this waveform,
and feeds it to the modulation compensation circuits.
These scale the modulation voltage (depending on the
VCO tuning voltage) and drive the VCO tuning port with
DIN
TRANSMIT
DATA FILTER
VHIGH
VLOW
MODULATION
COMPENSATION
RXON
PLLEN
VMID
PLLEN
LOOP FILTER
DATA FILTER
INPUT
DATA FILTER
OUTPUT
VCO TUNING
PORT VOLTAGE
MODULATION
PORT
DIVIDER
TUNING
PORT VCO
DIVIDE
BY 2
PD
12
N
OUTPUT
FREQUENCY
ON TRFO PIN
TRANSMIT
RF OUTPUT
Figure 3. Transmitter Block Diagram
12
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
Figure 4. Transmitter Operating Cycle
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
OVERVIEW (continued)
the scaled, filtered modulation. The voltage on the
modulation port swings above and below its central value
to produce 2-FSK modulation on the VCO. The modulation
filtering is sufficient to meet the FCC occupied bandwidth
and out-of-band emissions requirements, and does not
introduce significant ISI (Inter Symbol Interference).
The Transmit modulation filter is a 5th order all-pole filter,
designed for minimum differential group delay and good
stop band attenuation at greater than 2MHz. The 3dB
may be disturbed, and the radio could transmit on an outof-band signal. To prevent this a comparator monitors the
supply voltage and trips a transmitter shutdown latch if
the supply voltage drops below 2.6V. This disables the
transmitter output buffer. The latch is reset by the next
rising edge of RXON so that the radio cannot transmit
RXON
PLLEN
Divide by 6 Divide by 12
(RD0 = 0)
(RD0 = 1)
Parameter
Transmit data filter nominal
3dB bandwidth
REF/4.4
REF/8.8
VCCA
SUPPLY
VOLTAGE
2.65V
TRANSMIT
LOCKOUT
LATCH
Table 4. Bandwidth as a Function of Divider Ratio
bandwidth of the filter is slaved to the reference
frequency. See Table 4.
TRANSMIT
R.F. OUTPUT
PLEN
LOOP FILTER
Figure 6. Transmitter Low Voltage Lockout Sequence
VCO
NX FCOMP
FCOMP
DIVIDER
FCOMP
12
DIVIDE
BY 2
NX FCOMP/2
F/6
F/12
ADDER
2
PD
N
FREF
REGISTER 1
BIT14...BIT3
INPUT SIGNAL AT
N X FCOMP/2
until the next complete transmitter cycle. See Figure 6. If
the ML2721 is DC powered on with RXON enabled the
transmitter buffer will be latched off. This helps prevent
unwanted emissions.
Programming the ML2721 integrated PLL.
For ease of use, the ML2721 PLL is programmed to the set
RF center frequency of operation of the radio. See Figure
7. The RF output center frequency is half the VCO
frequency during transmission. The VCO is automatically
offset by twice the IF, to give the correct receive LO
frequency, during reception. This guarantees the baseband
IF AT FCOMP
PLLEN
LOOP FILTER
Figure 5. Transmitter Eye Diagram
VCO
Figure 5 shows an eye diagram recovered from the
Transmit RF output of the transceiver with a data stream of
1.5Mb/s.
N × FCOMP
The ML2721 transmitter features a low voltage lockout
circuit to meet FCC spurious emissions requirements. If
the supply voltage drops below 2.5V the VCO frequency
÷6 or
÷12
ADDER
NX FCOMP/2
TRANSMIT
RF BUFFER
PD
FCOMP
12
DIVIDE
BY 2
Transmitter Lockout (Low Voltage)
FCOMP
DIVIDER
N
O
REGISTER 1
BIT14...BIT3
REF
Figure 7. Phase Locked Loop in Transmit Mode
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
13
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
MODE OF OPERATION (CONTINUED)
circuits do not reprogram the PLL for every receive or
transmit packet. The PLL divide register should be
programmed with a binary integer which represents the
desired RF channel frequency divided by 0.512 MHz
(when using a 6.144 or 12.288MHz reference frequency).
PLLEN
LOOP FILTER
VCO
When in TRANSMIT mode the PLL is disabled and the
loop opened to allow modulation of the VCO. The VCO
runs at twice the channel frequency, and the Transmit RF
output is taken from one output of the quadrature divider.
The PLL locks during TXCAL mode.
(N+2) × FCOMP
÷2
Transmit RF output frequency
N ´ (FCOMP/2)
PLL division ratio
N
N ´ FCOMP
VCO frequency
PLL comparison frequency
Frequency resolution
FCOMP (~1MHz)
FCOMP/2
N
2
REGISTER 1
BIT14...BIT3
REF
IF AT FCOMP
Figure 8. Phase Locked Loop in Receive Mode
Value Formula
N
FCOMP
÷6 or
÷12
ADDER
N × FCOMP/2
INPUT SIGNAL AT
N × FCOMP/2
When in RECEIVE mode the PLL is disabled to conserve
power and prevent PLL divider noise from desensitizing
the receiver. See Figure 8. The PLL frequency is set to
give a LO frequency equal to the desired RF channel
frequency plus the IF frequency. The VCO signal is
divided by two to provide the quadrature LO for the
image reject down convert mixer. The PLL locks during
RXCAL mode.
RF channel frequency register
PD
12
The frequency plan for the PLL and VCO transmit is given
in Table 5.
Parameter
FCOMP
DIVIDER
Definitions
1024 £ N £ 4093 for the complete divider range.
1762 £ N £ 1812 for the 902 to 928MHz ISM band.
Guaranteed to cover the range from 900 to 930MHz
The frequency division between the VCO and the phase
comparator
Range is 1.80 to 1.86GHz
Rate of charge pump pulses at charge pump output (QPO).
REF input frequency divided by 6 or 12.
At Transmit RF output
Table 5. Transmit Mode Frequency Relationsships
Parameter
Value/Formula
RF channel frequency register
Channel frequency
N
1024 £ N £ 4093 for the complete divider range
1762 £ N £ 1812 for the 902 to 928MHz ISM band
N ´ (FCOMP/2)
Guaranteed to cover the range from 900 to 930MHz
LO frequency
(N + 2) ´
(FCOMP/2)
IF frequency
~1.0MHz
PLL division ratio
N+2
(N + 2) ´ FCOMP
VCO frequency
PLL comparison frequency
Frequency resolution
Definitions
FCOMP (~1.0MHz)
FCOMP/2
At the LO ports of the receiver mixer
Difference between LO frequency and channel frequency
The frequency division between the VCO and the phase
comparator
Range is 1.80 to 1.86GHz
Rate of charge pump pulses at charge pump output (QPO)
FREF input frequency divided by 6 or 12
At Transmit RF output
Table 6. Receive Mode Frequency Relationships
14
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
MODE OF OPERATION (CONTINUED)
The ~1MHz frequency shift is achieved by internally
adding an offset of +2 counts to the PLL divider register
value. The relationship between the LO frequency, the
programmed RF channel frequency, and the reference
frequency in RECEIVE mode is given in Table 6.
VCO OPEN AND CLOSED LOOP OPERATION
Normally the PLL is only operational in RXCAL and
TXCAL modes, when a closed loop PLL is formed. The PLL
is a conventional single loop integer division PLL. The
phase comparator has a charge pump output so that an
external passive loop filter can be used. The PLL dividers
support integer main divider ratios between 1024 and
4095, and reference divider ratios of 6 and 12.
In RECEIVE and TRANSMIT modes the PLL loop is opened
and the stored VCO tuning voltage (on the loop filter)
maintains the VCO at the desired frequency. In open loop
modes the PLL charge pump is shut off and the PLL
circuits are shut down to save power. Interlock logic
manages the start up and shut down of the PLL to ensure
that the VCO frequency is not disturbed in the transition
between modes. If better frequency stability is required
the RXCL bit in the PLL configuration register allows the
PLL to remain in the closed loop mode during RECEIVE
mode. The PLL loop must be opened in TRANSMIT mode,
as the PLL would otherwise attempt to remove the FM
transmit modulation.
dielectric absorption and low leakage current. Ceramic
capacitors can be used, but care should be taken with
applications where there is significant thermal or
mechanical shock.
STANDBY MODE
In STANDBY the ML2721 transceiver is powered down.
The only active circuits are the control interfaces, which
are static CMOS to minimize power consumption. The
serial control interface (& control registers) remain
powered up and will accept and retain programming data
as long as the digital supply is present. The ML2721 serial
control registers should be loaded with control and
configuration data before any active mode is selected.
The filter alignment registers are reset at power up.
TEST MODE
Special test access circuitry is needed for IC production
test and radio debugging because of the RF to digital
functionality of the ML2721. Two analogue test outputs
(RXTPI and RXTPQ) are multiplexed with the RSSI and
lock detect (LD) output pins, and digital test outputs are
multiplexed onto the received data output pin (DOUT).
The test multiplexers are controlled by a test register
accessed over the serial control bus.
PLL LOOP FILTER DESIGN
The PLL loop filter performs a dual function. In the closed
loop modes (RXCAL and TXCAL) it acts as a second order
loop filter, and in the open loop modes (TRANSMIT,
RECEIVE without RXCL) it holds the VCO tuning voltage
for the duration of the data slot. The correct loop filter
component values are a function of the desired closed
loop bandwidth, loop response damping factor charge
pump current, VCO tuning sensitivity and PLL division
ratio. The charge pump current, VCO tuning sensitivity,
and division ratio range are fixed by the on chip circuits,
so the only independent variables are the PLL’s closed
loop bandwidth and damping factor.
The recommended values of 47nF, 360W and 3.3nF give a
50kHz closed loop bandwidth and a damping factor of 0.8
for robust closed loop operation. (18nF, 430W and 1.8nF
reduce the damping factor to 0.72; 33nF, 390W and 470pF
set the damping factor at 0.9). Plastic film capacitors are
used on the application circuit because of their excellent
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
15
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
CONTROL INTERFACES
There are two control interfaces:
Bit Allocations
Parallel mode control. Controlling the mode of
operation of the ML2721. Refer to the Operational
Modes section for details.
Serial Interface. Programing the PLL signal and
reference dividers, internal test modes, and filter
alignment.
Data words are entered beginning with the MSB. The word
is divided into a leading 14-bit data field and a 2-bit
address field. When the address field has been decoded
the destination register is loaded on the rising edge of EN.
Providing less than 16 bits of data will result in
unpredictable behavior when EN goes high.
Parallel Interface
Other signal interfaces to the IC are:
n
Receiver data output
n
Transmit modulation data input
n
PLL lock detect output, to indicate when the on chip
PLL is in frequency lock
n
Receive RF input, the input to the receiver circuits
n
Transmit RF output, the output for the modulated RF
signal
n
Received signal strength output: RSSI indicates the
power of the received signal
n
Reference frequency input for PLL dividers
The chip is enabled by the XCEN (Transceiver enable)
signal. The operating mode is set by the two control lines
TX/RX (Transmit/Receive Mode) and PLLEN (PLL enable),
and the 3 wire serial data bus. The logic for XCEN, RXON
and PLLEN is given in Table 7.
XCEN
RXON
PLLEN
Mode Name
Chip Mode
0
X
X
Off
1
0
1
TXCAL
1
0
0
TX
Transmit synthesizer open loop and modulated
1
1
1
RXCAL
Receive synthesizer closed loop and filter align
1
1
0
RX
Off
Transmit synthesizer closed loop
Receive on
Table 7. Control Logic
16
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
CONTROL INTERFACES AND REGISTER DESCRIPTION (continued)
REGISTER INFORMATION
Table 8 shows a register map. Table 9 provides a detailed
diagram of the register organization: Table 9a and 9b
outline the PLL configuration and channel frequency
registers, and Table 9c displays the filter tuning and test
mode register.
A unidirectional three wire serial bus is used to set the
ML2721’s transceiver parameters and to program the PLL
circuits. Programming is performed by entering 16-bit
words into the ML2721 serial interface. Four 16-bit
registers are partitioned such that 14 bits are dedicated for
data to program the operation and 2 bits are used for
register addressing. Only three of the registers should be
used in normal operation. The purpose of each of the
registers is:
n
Register 0: PLL configuration;
n
Register 1: PLL tuning data;
n
Register 2: Internal test access;
n
Register 3: Reserved for production test only.
Register 0: PLL Configuration Register
DB13
Res.
2-bit Register Address
14-bit Register Data
MSB
DB12
Res.
B15
DB11
Res.
B14
B13
DB10
Res.
DB9
Res.
B12
DB8
Res.
B11
DB7
Res.
B10
DB6
Res.
B9
DB5
Res.
B8
DB4
Res.
B7
DB3
LOL
B6
DB2
RCXL
B5
DB1
RD0
B4
DB0
QPP
B3
ADR1
0
B2
ADR0
0
B1
B0
16-bit Register Data
Register 1: RF Channel Frequency Register
DB13
Res.
2-bit Register Address
14-bit Register Data
MSB
DB12
Res.
B15
DB11
DB10
DB9
DB8
DB7
DB6
DB5
DB4
DB3
DB2
DB1
DB0
ADR1
CHQ11 CHQ10
CHQ9
CHQ8
CHQ7
CHQ6
CHQ5
CHQ4
CHQ3
CHQ2
CHQ1
CHQ0
0
B14
B13
B12
B11
B10
B9
B8
B7
B6
B5
B4
B3
B2
ADR0
1
B1
B0
16-bit Register Data
Register 2: Filter Tuning Select and Text Mode Access Register
2-bit Register Address
14-bit Register Data
MSB
DB13
DB12
TMODE
Res.
B15
DB11
Res.
B14
B13
DB10
Res.
DB9
Res.
B12
DB8
Res.
B11
DB7
Res.
B10
DB6
Res.
B9
DB5
DB4
DB3
DB2
DB1
DB0
ADR1
DTM2
DTM1
DTM0
ATM2
ATM1
ATM0
1
B8
B7
B6
B5
B4
B3
B2
ADR0
0
B1
B0
16-bit Register Data
Register 3: Production Register (not for customer use)
DB13
Res.
2-bit Register Address
14-bit Register Data
MSB
DB12
Res.
B15
DB11
Res.
B14
B13
DB10
Res.
DB9
Res.
B12
Note: DB=Data Bit, ADR=Address Bit, Res.=Reserved.
B11
DB8
Res.
B10
DB7
Res.
DB6
Res.
B9
DB5
Res.
B8
DB4
Res.
B7
DB3
Res.
B6
DB2
Res.
B5
DB1
Res.
B4
DB0
Res.
B3
ADR1
1
B2
ADR0
1
B1
B0
16-bit Register Data
Table 8. Register Organization
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
17
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
CONTROL INTERFACES AND REGISTER DESCRIPTION (continued)
Data Bit
Name
B15 (MSB) / DB13
Reserved
B14 / DB12
Reserved
Description
Use
B13 / DB11
Reserved
B12 / DB10
Reserved
B11 / DB9
Reserved
B10 / DB8
Reserved
B9 / DB7
Reserved
B8 / DB6
Reserved
B7 / DB5
Reserved
B6 / DB4
Reserved
B5 / DB3
LOL
PLL Frequency Shift
B4 / DB2
RXCL
PLL Mode in Normal Receive
Operation
B3 / DB1
RD0
Reference Frequency Select
B2 / DB0
QPP
PLL Charge Pump Polarity
B1 / ADB1
ADR1
ADR1 = 0
B0 (LSB) / ADB0
ADR0
ADR0 = 0
Set All Bits to 0 (zero)
0: LO shift is 0Hz for Transmit, 1.024MHz for Receive.
1: LO shift is 1.024MHz for Transmit, 0Hz for Receive.
0: PLL open loop during Receive.
1: PLL closed loop during Receive.
0: 6.144MHz nominal reference frequency.
1: 12.288MHz nominal reference frequency.
0: Freq. sig. > freq. ref.; Charge pump sinks current.
1: Freq. sig. < freq. ref.; Charge pump sources current.
Table 9A. Register 0 — PLL Configuration Register
Data Bit
Name
Description
Use
B15 (MSB) / DB13
Reserved
B14 / DB12
Reserved
B13 / DB11
CHQ11
B12 / DB10
CHQ10
B11 / DB9
CHQ9
B10 / DB8
CHQ8
B9 / DB7
CHQ7
B8 / DB6
CHQ6
B7 / DB5
CHQ5
B6 / DB4
CHQ4
B5 / DB3
CHQ3
B4 / DB2
CHQ2
B3 / DB1
CHQ1
B2 / DB0
CHQ0
B1 / ADR1
ADR1
MSB address bit
ADR1 = 0
B0 (LSB) / ADR0
ADR0
LSB address bit
ADR0 = 1
Set all bits to 0 (zero)
PLL frequency shift
Channel frequency select bits
Reference frequency shift
Divide ratio = fC/0.512
0: Freq. sig. > freq. ref.; Charge pump sinks
Table 9B. Register 1 — Channel Frequency Register
18
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
CONTROL INTERFACES AND REGISTER DESCRIPTION (continued)
Data Bit
Name
Description
Use
B15 (MSB) / DB13
TMODE
Tune filter Select Bit
Set TMODE to 0 for Normal Operation
B14 / DB12
Reserved
B13 / DB11
Reserved
B12 / DB10
Reserved
B11 / DB9
Reserved
B10 / DB8
Reserved
B9 / DB7
Reserved
B8 / DB6
Reserved
B7 / DB5
DTM2
B6 / DB4
DTM1
B5 / DB3
DTM0
B4 / DB2
ATM2
B3 / DB1
ATM1
Set All Bits to 0 (zero)
Digital Test Control Bits
See Table 13
Analog Test Control Bits
See Table 12
B2 / DB0
ATM0
B1 / ADB1
ADR1
MSB Addrees Bit
ADR1 = 1
B0 (LSB) / ADB0
ADR0
LSB Addrees Bit
ADR0 = 0
Table 9C. Register 2 — Filter Tuning Select and Test Mode Register
Serial Interface
Symbol
Data and clock signals are ignored when EN is high.
When EN is low data on the DATA pin is clocked into a
shift register by rising edges on the CLK pin. The
information is latched when EN goes high. This serial
interface bus is similar to that commonly found on PLL
devices. It can be efficiently programmed by either byte
or 16-bit word oriented serial bus hardware. The data
latches are implemented in static CMOS and use minimal
power when the bus is inactive. Figure 9 and Table 10
provide timing and register programming illustrations.
Parameter
tR
Time (ns)
Clock input rise time
15
tF
15
tCK
>50
tW
Minimum pulse width
2000
tD
>15
tSE
>15
tS
>15
tH
Data-to-clock hold time
>15
Table 10. 3-Wire Bus Timing Characteristics
tF
tS
tSE
tR
tH
tD
tCK
CLK
LSB
MSB
DATA
DB13
DB12
DB11
DB0
ADR1
ADR0
tW
REGISTER DATA (14 BITS)
ADDRESS DATA (2 BITS)
EN
Figure 9. Serial Bus Timing for Address and Data Programming
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
19
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
CONTROL INTERFACES AND REGISTER DESCRIPTION (continued)
Power On State
All the registers are cleared when voltage is applied to
VDD (pin 31). The PLL divide ratio (See Table 11) and PLL
configuration registers should be programmed before
XCEN is asserted for the first time. The divide ratio is
calculated as fC/0.512 where fC is the channel frequency
in MHz.
Divide Ratio =
fc
0.512
A 1.024MHz offset is automatically added in the Receive
mode.
B15, B14
B13 to B2
B1
B0
n.a.
PLL divide ratio
0
1
Table 11. Main Divider
value is written to the field, the RSSI and LD pins become
analog test access ports giving access to the outputs of
key signal processing stages in the transceiver. During
normal operation the ATM field should be set to zero.
DTM <2:0>, Register #2 Only
Digital test control bits. The DTM<2:0> bits function is
described in Table 13. The performance of the ML2721 is
not guaranteed in these test modes. Although primarily
intended for IC test and debug, they can also help in
debugging the radio system. The default (power up) state
of these bits is DTM<2:0> = <0,0,0>. When a non-zero
value is written to these fields the DOUT pin becomes a
digital test access port for key digital signals in the
transceiver. During normal operation the DTM field should
be set to zero.
DTM2 DTM1 DTM0
DOUT
CONTROL REGISTER BIT DESCRIPTIONS
0
0
0
Demodulated data
ADR<1:0>, All 4 Registers
0
0
1
Receiver AGC state
0
1
0
PLL main divider output
0
1
1
PLL reference divider output
Address bits for all registers. The ADR<1:0> bits are the
LSB of each register. Each register is divided into data
field and address field. The data field is the leading field,
while the last two bits clocked into the register are always
the address field. The address field is decoded and the
addressed destination register loaded when EN goes high.
The last 16 bits clocked into the serial bus will be loaded
into the register. Clocking in less than 16-bits will result in
potentially incorrect entry into the register.
ATM<2:0>, Register #2 Only
Analog test control bits. The test mode selected is
described in Table 12. The performance of the ML2721 is
not guaranteed in these test modes. Although primarily
intended for IC test and debug, they can also help in
debugging the radio system. The default (power up) state
of these bits is ATM<2:0> = <0,0,0>. When a non-zero
ATM2 ATM1 ATM0
TPI
TPQ
RSSI
LD (PLL lock detect)
Table 13. Digital Test Control Bits
CHQ <11:0>, Register #1 Only
Channel frequency selection bits. These bits set the
channel frequency for the transceiver. With a 6.144MHz
or 12.288MHz input to the REF pin the channel frequency
value is calculated by dividing the CHQ value by 0.512.
A 1.024MHz offset is automatically added in the receiver
mode to accommodate the IF frequency. The
recommended operating range value of the CHQ is from
1,024 (400hex) to 4,094 (FFEhex). These bits should be
programmed to a valid channel frequency before XCEN is
asserted.
LOL Register #0 Only
0
0
0
0
0
1
No Connect
0
1
0
IF filter output (Receive mode)
0
1
1
Q buffered mixer output (Receive
mode)
1
0
0
IF buffered mixer output (Receive
mode)
LOL
LO Shift for Transmit
LO Shift for Receive
0
0
+1.024MHz
1
0
1
Data filter output (all modes)
1
+1.024MHz
0
1
1
0
IF limiter outputs (Receive mode)
1
1
1
1.67V Ref.
PLL frequency shift bit. LO shift for transmit and receive.
For normal operations, it is recommended that LOL = 0.
See Table 14.
VCO mod. portinput
Table 14. PLL Frequency Shift
Table 12. Analog Test Control Bits
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PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
CONTROL INTERFACES AND REGISTER DESCRIPTION (continued)
RES (Reserved) All 4 Registers
REGISTER CONFIGURATIONS AT POWER UP (DEFAULT)
These bits are reserved. Clear these bits to 0 (zero) for
normal operation. When power is reset all of the registers’
data fields are cleared to 0 (zero).
All register values are cleared to 0 (zero). Power up is
defined as occurring when VDD³2.0V.
The register default values are valid 1ns after power up.
RD0 Register #0 Only
Reference Divide Bit Zero. This bit sets the reference
division of the PLL to either 6 or 12. See Table 15.
LOL
LO Shift for Transmit
LO Shift for Receive
0
0
+1.024MHz
1
+1.024MHz
0
Table 15. Reference Frequency Select
RXCL Register #0 Only
Receive Closed Loop Bit. This bit is used in Receive mode
to put the PLL into either open loop or closed loop. See
Table 16.
RXCL
Receive PLL Mode
0
PLL open loop
1
PLL closed loop
Table 16. PLL Mode in Normal Receive Operation
TMODE Register #2 Only
This bit is used to activate the automatic filter alignment
circuitry. For normal operations this bit must be cleared to
0 (zero).
QPP Register #0 Only
This bit sets the charge pump polarity to sink or source
current. For a majority of applications this bit is cleared
(QPP = 0). For applications where an external amplifier is
in the loop filter the bit is set to 1 to change the charge
pump polarity. See Table 17.
QPP
PLL Charge Pump Polarity
0
Frequency signal > frequency reference.
Charge pump sinks current.
1
Frequency signal > frequency reference.
Charge pump sources current.
Table 17. PLL Charge Pump Polarity
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
21
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
CONTROL INTERFACE (CONTINUED)
TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE DATA
INTERFACES
In analog test modes the RSSI and LD pins become analog
test access ports (TPI and TPQ, respectively) that allow
the user to observe internal signals in the ML2721.
The DIN and DOUT pins are CMOS logic level for serial
data that correspond to FSK modulation on the radio
channel. The ML2721 is designed to operate as an FSK
transceiver in the 902 to 928MHz ISM band. The chip
rate, bit rate and spreading code are determined in the
baseband processor, and the FM deviation and transmit
filtering are determined in the transceiver.
RF INTERFACES
DIN provides data to the Transmit data filter, which band
limits the transmitted chips before they are FM
modulated. There is no re-timing of the chips, so the
transmitted FSK chips take their timing from the DIN pin.
In the Receive chain FM demodulation, data filtering,
and data slicing take place in the ML2721 receiver, with
chip, bit and word rate timing recovery performed in the
baseband processor.
The RRFI receive input pin and the TRFO transmit output
pin are the only RF I/O pins and provide approximately
50W impedance. The RRFI pin requires a simple input
matching network for best input noise figure, and the
TRFO pin is matched to 50W by an AC coupling
capacitor. The application circuit shows recommended
matching circuit values for the Micro Linear
demonstration PCB, but different values will be needed for
other PCB layouts. The associated RF input and output
ground pins must have direct connections to an RF ground
plane, and the RF block supply pins must be well
decoupled from the RF ground pins.
RSSI, LD, AND REF
There are three other interface pins between the ML2721
transceiver and the baseband IC: the RSSI, LD and REF
pins.
REF is the master reference frequency for the transceiver.
It supplies the frequency reference for the RF channel
frequency and the filter tuning. The REF pin is a CMOS
input with internal biasing resistors. It can be AC coupled
through a 470pF coupling capacitor to a sine wave source
of between 0.5 and 3.0V peak-to-peak. The REF input can
also be driven by a CMOS logic output. The PLL
comparison and the IF filter center frequency are both
equal to the REF input frequency divided by either 6 or
12, depending on the setting of the RDIV bit in the PLL
configuration control word. The IF filter and data filter
bandwidths track the IF filter center frequency.
The Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) pin supplies
a voltage indicating the amplitude of the received RF
signal. It is normally connected to the input of a low
speed ADC on an external baseband IC, and is used
during channel scanning to detect clear channels on
which the radio may transmit. The RSSI voltage is
proportional to the logarithm of the received power level.
A voltage of 0V to 2.7V corresponds to an RF input power
of –95 to –15dBm with a nominal slope of 33mV/dB.
The Lock Detect (LD) pin is an open drain output that
pulses low when the PLL is in frequency lock. It is
provided to indicate to an external baseband processor
that the ML2721 PLL is failing to lock to the reference
frequency. This output is latched on the falling edge of
PLLEN. The baseband processor can sample LD after deasserting PLLEN.
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PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
APPLICATIONS
The ML2721 operates in the 902 to 928MHz ISM band
under FCC Part 15, section 247 or section 249. For
Cordless telephone applications under part FCC 15
section 247 the ML2721 and its companion part (ML2751
or ML2752) are used as a Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) transceiver with chip rates up to
1.6Mchips/s. The ML2721 is used alone for short range
high data rate applications under FCC Part 15 section 249.
DSSS CORDLESS TELEPHONE
The ML2721 requires a suitable digital baseband processor
to operate in this mode. The baseband processor spreads
the digital data (at up to 150kbytes/s) using an 11 to 15
bit chip sequence. This composite baseband signal (at up
to 1.6Mchips/s) is fed to the ML2721 DIN input. The
ML2721 transmit circuits low pass filter the baseband
signal and FM modulate the transmit RF output. The
transmitted signal is a Direct Sequence-FSK signal which
meets the FCC requirements for >10dB processing gain
and a 6dB bandwidth >500kHz. It is a constant envelope
signal which can be amplified in an efficient Class C
power amplifier without suffering spectral regrowth. The
ML2721 receive circuits downconvert, filter, and
demodulate the FM signal to recover the original spread
spectrum baseband signal. The baseband processor despreads this signal and recovers the lower data rate signal
with a correlator. To extend the range in this DS-FSK
mode the companion ML2751 (or ML2752) part is used.
This is a combination transmit power amplifier, receive
low noise amplifier, and PIN diode driver for 902 to
928MHz ISM band applications.
LOW POWER STAND ALONE
The ML2721 can be used without the ML2751/2 as an FSK
radio transceiver. Only an external PIN diode T/R switch
and antenna filtering are required. The 0dBm (typical)
output makes full use of the FCC Part 15, section 247 or
section 249 transmitted field strength limits. Bit rates
from1.0 to1.6Mbits/s are feasible. The data slicer achieves
full performance with run lengths up to 4 consecutive 1 or
0 bits at 1.3 to 1.6Mbits/s (3 consecutive bits at 1Mbit/s).
This constraint can be met with run length limited coding,
which also simplifies the clock recovery circuits.
Alternatively an external data slicer circuit can be used
for longer run lengths.
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
23
PRELIMINARY
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
ML2721
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Absolute maximum ratings are those values beyond which
the device could be permanently damaged. Absolute
maximum ratings are stress ratings only and functional
device operation is not implied.
Normal Temperature Range ........................ -10°C to 60°C
VDD, VCC2, VCC5 Range .............................2.7V to 5.5V
Thermal Resistance (qJA) (Note 2) ...................... 100°C/W
VDD, VCC2, VCC5 .................................................... 6.0V
VSS, GND ........................................................... 0 ±0.3V
Junction Temperature .............................................. 150°C
Storage Temperature Range ..................... –65°C to 150°C
Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10s) .......................... 260°C
ELECTRICAL TABLES
Unless otherwise specified, VCC5 & VDD = 3.3V, TA = Operating Temperature Range. (Note 1)
SYMBOL
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
POWER CONSUMPTION
All Circuits, Sleep Mode
DC Connected, XCEN low
10
µA
Supply Current, Receive Mode
40
mA
Supply Current, RX CAL Mode
48
mA
Supply Current, Transmit Mode
40
mA
Supply Current, TX CAL Mode
49
mA
915±15
MHz
–100
–120
–125
dBc/Hz
1.024
MHz
1024
4095
5.5
mA
<70
µs
VCO AND LO PLL
LO output frequency
In 512kHz steps
Phase noise at driver output
1.2MHz
3MHz
>7MHz
VCO phase locked, loop band width
50kHz. Discontinuities, other than
reference spurs, not allowed.
LO PLL reference frequency at phase
detector
PLL main divider input is at 1.83GHz
LO division range integer
PLL divider limits
LO charge pump sink/source current
LO lock up time for Transmit/Receive
frequency change
From PLLEN asserted
LO lock up time for channel switch
From PLLEN asserted, any channel
change in 902 to 928 MHz band
<150
µs
From XCEN, PLL dividers
programmed
<300
µs
2.0
VP-P
10
dB
LO lock up time from sleep
Reference signal input level
6.144 or 12.288MHz sine wave,
capacitively coupled
RECEIVE CHAIN
Receive RF input noise figure
24
Maximum Receive RF input
Correct demodulation of FSK signal
0
dBm
Receive RF input IP3
Test tones 2 and 4 channels away
–12
dBm
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
ELECTRICAL TABLES (continued)
SYMBOL
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
RECEIVE CHAIN (Continued)
Receive conducted emissions from RF
input
–50
dBm
TBD
W
Receive RF input impedance
900 to 930MHz
Receive RF mixer image rejection
Measured at 3.5MHz offset
35
dB
Receive adjacent channels rejection @
2.048MHz channel spacing
–80dBm
1 channel
2 channels
3 or more channels
15
40
45
dB
IF FILTERS
IF filter type, 3dB point
6th order Gaussian to 12dB
IF filter center frequency
After 300µs of realignment
1.024
MHz
IF filter attenuation at 320kHz
Within 10ms of alignment,
referenced to 1024kHz
3
dB
IF filter attenuation at 1725kHz
Within 10ms of alignment
referenced to 1024kHz
3
dB
<20
µs
LIMITER, AGC AND FM DEMODULATOR
Recovery from overload
From 0dBm at input
Eb/No
For 12.5% CER
3
dB
Co-channel rejection,12.5% CER
–80dBm, modulated with 1.536
Mb/s GFSK, BT = 0.5, PRBS data
4
dB
–80dBm, AM modulated at 100kHz
90
%
5
µs
5
µs
AM tolerance, 12.5% CER
RSSI Performance
RSSI rise time: <–100dBm to –15dBm into
the IF mixer
20pf load, 20% to 80%
RSSI fall time: <–15dBm to –100dBm into
the IF mixer
20pf load, 20% to 80%
RSSI maximum voltage
–15dBm in
2.8
V
RSSI minimum voltage
No signal
0.05
V
35
mV/dB
RSSI sensitivity, mid range
RSSI maximum signal
Sensitivity >50%
–15
dBm
RSSI minimum signal
Sensitivity >50%
–95
dBm
3
dB
<50
µs
RSSI accuracy
Receiver Settling Time
From PLLEN low to valid data
Receive Data Filter (Note 2)
Bandwidth
3dB
768
kHz
Attenuation
>10MHz
60
dB
Driver amplifier output power
Into 50W
0
dBm
Driver amplifier output return loss
900 to 930MHz
14
dB
TRANSMIT RF DRIVER
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
25
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
ELECTRICAL TABLES (continued)
SYMBOL
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
TRANSMIT MODULATION
Modulation deviation, internal VCO
5 consecutive 1 or 0 bits
550
kHz
Bandwidth
3dB
1.4
MHz
Attenuation
>10MHz
60
dB
Input high voltage
VDD–0.4
V
Input low voltage
+0.4
V
Input bias current
±0.5
µA
4
pF
<0.4
V
VDD–0.4
V
0.4
V
0.4
mA
TRANSMIT DATA FILTER
INTERFACE LOGIC LEVELS
Input capacitance
(Not tested)
LD output low voltage
Sinking 0.1mA
DOUT high voltage
Sourcing 0.1mA
DOUT low voltage
Sinking 0.1mA
DOUT sink/source current
Note 1: Limits are guaranteed by 100% testing, sampling, or correlation with worst case test conditions.
Note 2: Filter type is 5th order Gaussian.
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PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY
ML2721
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS
Package: H32-7
32-Pin (7 x 7 x 1mm) TQFP
0.354 BSC
(9.00 BSC)
0º - 8º
0.276 BSC
(7.00 BSC)
0.003 - 0.008
(0.09 - 0.20)
25
1
PIN 1 ID
0.276 BSC
(7.00 BSC)
0.354 BSC
(9.00 BSC)
0.018 - 0.030
(0.45 - 0.75)
17
9
0.032 BSC
(0.8 BSC)
0.048 MAX
(1.20 MAX)
0.012 - 0.018
(0.29 - 0.45)
SEATING PLANE
0.037 - 0.041
(0.95 - 1.05)
ORDERING INFORMATION
PART NUMBER
TEMPERATURE RANGE
PACKAGE
ML2721DH
–10°C to 60°C
32 Pin TQFP 7mm body
Micro Linear Corporation
2092 Concourse Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
Tel: (408) 433-5200
Fax: (408) 432-0295
www.microlinear.com
DS2721-01
January, 2000
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
27