SILABS SI4012

Si4012
Si4012 C RYSTAL - LESS R F T RANSMITTER
Features






Frequency range
27–960 MHz
Output Power Range
–13 to +10 dBm
Low Power Consumption
OOK
14.2 mA @ +10 dBm
FSK
19.8 mA @ +10 dBm
Data Rate = 0 to 100 kbaud FSK
FSK and OOK modulation
Power Supply = 1.8 to 3.6 V









Crystal-less operation
±150 ppm: 0 to 20° C
±250 ppm: –40 to 85° C
Optional crystal input for higher
tolerances
Low power shutdown mode
Integrated voltage regulator
256 byte FIFO
Low battery detector
SMBus Interface
–40 to +85 °C temperature range
10-Pin MSOP Package, Pb-free
RoHs compliant
Low BOM
Ordering Information:
See page 53.
Pin Assignments
Si4012
Applications












Wireless MBus T1-mode
Remote control
Home security & alarm
Personal data logging
Toy control
Wireless PC peripherals
Remote meter reading
Remote keyless entry
Home automation
Industrial control
Sensor networks
Health monitors
GPIO0/XTAL 1
10 SDA
GND 2
9 SCL
TXM 3
Description
Silicon Laboratories’ Si4012 is a fully integrated crystal-less CMOS high-data rate
RF transmitter designed for the sub-GHz ISM band. This chip is optimized for
battery powered applications requiring low standby currents and high output
transmit power.
The device offers advanced radio features including continuous frequency
coverage from 27–960 MHz, adjustable output power of up to +10 dBm, and data
rates up to 100 kbaud in FSK mode. The Si4012’s high level of integration offers
reduced BOM cost while simplifying the overall system design.
Si4012
8 SDN
TXP 4
7 nIRQ
VDD 5
6 LED
Patents pending
Functional Block Diagram
Si4012
DIGITAL LOGIC
SDA
SCL
SMBus
INTERFACE
RF ANALOG CORE
ANTENNA
TUNE
OOK
MODULATOR
TX
256 BYTE
DATA FIFO
LED
GPIO0/XTAL
PA
AUTO
TUNE
TXP
TXM
LCOSC
LPOSC
VA
DIGITAL
CONTROLLER
SLP
TMR
REGISTER
BANK
Rev 0.1 7/10
DIVIDER
FSK
SDN
nIRQ
XTAL
OSC
VD
LDO
POR
BANDGAP
VDD
GND
BATTERY
MONITOR
Copyright © 2010 by Silicon Laboratories
Si4012
This information applies to a product under development. Its characteristics and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Si4012
2
Rev 0.1
Si4012
TABLE O F C ONTENTS
Section
Page
1. Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
1.1. Definition of Test Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2. Functional Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3. Pin Descriptions: Si4012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
4. Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5. Package Outline: Si4012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
6. PCB Land Pattern: Si4012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Rev 0.1
3
Si4012
1. Electrical Specifications
Table 1. DC Characteristics1
Parameter
Symbol
Supply Voltage Range
VDD
Power Saving Modes
IShutdown
Conditions
Min
Typ
Max Units
1.8
—
3.6
V
Lowest current mode
—
100
—
nA
IIdle
Register values retained, lowest current consumption idle
mode
—
700
—
nA
TUNE Mode Current
ITune
Register values retained, LCOSC on fastest response to TX
mode
—
5
—
mA
TX Mode Current @
10 dBm
ITX_OOK
OOK, Manchester encoded
—
14.2
—
mA
ITX_FSK
FSK
—
19.8
—
mA
Notes:
1. All specification guaranteed by production test unless otherwise noted. Production test conditions and max limits are
listed in the "Production Test Conditions" section on page 9.
2. Guaranteed by qualification. Qualification test conditions are listed in the "Production Test Conditions" section on
page 9.
Table 2. Absolute Maximum Ratings1,2
Parameter
Symbol
Value
Unit
VDD
–0.5 to 3.9
V
3
Input Current
IIN
10
mA
Input Voltage4
VIN
–0.3 to (VDD + 0.3)
V
Junction Temperature
TOP
–40 to 90
C
Storage Temperature
TSTG
–55 to 125
C
Supply Voltage
Notes:
1. Permanent device damage may occur if the absolute maximum ratings are exceeded. Functional operation should be
restricted to the conditions as specified in the operational sections of this data sheet. Exposure beyond recommended
operating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
2. Handling and assembly of these devices should only be done at ESD-protected workstations.
3. All input pins besides VDD.
4. For GPIO pins configured as inputs.
4
Rev 0.1
Si4012
Table 3. Si4012 RF Transmitter Characteristics
(TA = 25° C, VDD = 3.3 V, RL = 550 , unless otherwise noted)
Parameter
Frequency Range1
Frequency Noise (rms)2
Phase Noise @ 915 MHz
Symbol
Test Condition
FRF
Max
Unit
27
—
960
MHz
—
0.3
—
ppm
10 kHz offset
—
–70
—
dBc/Hz
100 kHz offset
—
–100
—
dBc/Hz
1 MHz offset
Carrier Frequency Accuracy
Typ
Allen deviation, measured
across 1 ms interval
Frequency Tuning Time
Selected Frequencies in
Range of 27–960 MHz
Min
Discrete frequencies
—
–105
—
dBc/Hz
—
5
—
ms
—
315
—
MHz
—
390
—
MHz
—
433.92
—
MHz
—
868
—
MHz
—
915
—
MHz
+150
ppm
0°C ≤ TA ≤ 70° C
–150
–40°C ≤ TA ≤ 85° C
–250
+250
ppm
FRF = 100 MHz
0°C ≤ TA ≤ 70° C
–15
—
15
kHz
FRF = 100 MHz
–40°C ≤ TA ≤ 85° C
–25
—
25
kHz
FRF = 315 MHz
0°C ≤ TA ≤ 70° C
–47.3
—
47.3
kHz
FRF = 315 MHz
–40°C ≤ TA ≤ 85° C
–78.8
—
78.8
kHz
FRF = 433.92 MHz
0°C ≤ TA ≤ 70° C
–65.1
—
65.1
kHz
FRF = 433.92 MHz
–40°C ≤ TA ≤ 85° C
–108
—
108
kHz
FRF = 868 MHz
0°C ≤ TA ≤ 70° C
–130
—
130
kHz
FRF = 868 MHz
–40°C ≤ TA ≤ 85° C
–217
—
217
kHz
FRF = 915 MHz
0°C ≤ TA ≤ 70° C
–137
—
137
kHz
FRF = 915 MHz
–40°C ≤ TA ≤ 85° C
–229
—
229
kHz
–10
—
+10
ppm
Frequency Error
Contribution with External
Crystal
Notes:
1. The frequency range is continuous over the specified range.
2. The frequency step size is limited by the frequency noise.
3. Optimum differential load is equal to 4 V/(11.5mA/2 * 4/PI) = 550 Therefore the antenna load resistance in parallel
with the Si4012 differential output resistance should equal 600 
Rev 0.1
5
Si4012
Table 3. Si4012 RF Transmitter Characteristics (Continued)
(TA = 25° C, VDD = 3.3 V, RL = 550 , unless otherwise noted)
Parameter
Transmit Power
Symbol
3
PA Edge Ramp Rate
Programmable Range
Data Rate
Test Condition
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
Maximum programmed Tx
power, with optimum differential
load, VDD > 2.2 V
—
10
—
dBm
Minimum programmed TX
power, with optimum differential
load,
VDD > 2.2 V
—
–13
—
dBm
Power variation vs temp and
supply, with optimum differential
load, VDD > 2.2 V
–1.0
—
0.5
dB
Power variation vs temp and
supply, with optimum differential
load, VDD > 1.8 V
–2.5
—
0.5
dB
Transmit power step size
from –13 to 6.5 dBm
—
0.25
—
dB
OOK mode
0.34
—
10.7
us
OOK
0.1
—
50
kbaud
FSK
0.1
—
100
kbaud
Notes:
1. The frequency range is continuous over the specified range.
2. The frequency step size is limited by the frequency noise.
3. Optimum differential load is equal to 4 V/(11.5mA/2 * 4/PI) = 550 Therefore the antenna load resistance in parallel
with the Si4012 differential output resistance should equal 600 
6
Rev 0.1
Si4012
Table 3. Si4012 RF Transmitter Characteristics (Continued)
(TA = 25° C, VDD = 3.3 V, RL = 550 , unless otherwise noted)
Parameter
FSK Deviation
Symbol
Test Condition
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
Max frequency deviation
—
300
—
ppm
Deviation resolution
—
2
—
ppm
Deviation accuracy
ppm
Max frequency deviation,
100 MHz
—
30
—
kHz
Deviation resolution,
100 MHz
—
200
—
Hz
Max frequency deviation,
315 MHz
—
95
—
kHz
Deviation resolution, 315 MHz
—
630
—
Hz
Max frequency deviation,
433.92 MHz
—
130
—
kHz
Deviation resolution,
433.92 MHz
—
868
—
Hz
Max frequency deviation,
868 MHz
—
260
—
kHz
Deviation resolution, 868 MHz
—
1740
—
Hz
Max frequency deviation,
915 MHz
—
275
—
kHz
Deviation resolution, 915 MHz
—
1830
—
Hz
60
—
—
dB
2.4
—
12.5
pF
OOK Modulation depth
Antenna Tuning Capacitive
Range (Differential)
TBD
315 MHz
Notes:
1. The frequency range is continuous over the specified range.
2. The frequency step size is limited by the frequency noise.
3. Optimum differential load is equal to 4 V/(11.5mA/2 * 4/PI) = 550 Therefore the antenna load resistance in parallel
with the Si4012 differential output resistance should equal 600 
Rev 0.1
7
Si4012
Table 4. Low Battery Detector Characteristics
(TA = 25° C, VDD = 3.3 V, RL = 550 , unless otherwise noted)
Parameter
Symbol
Test Condition
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
—
2
—
%
Test Condition
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
Crystal Frequency Range
GPI0 configured as crystal
oscillator
10
—
13
MHz
Input Capacitance (GPIO0)
GPI0 configured as crystal
oscillator
—
5
—
pF
Crystal ESR
GPI0 configured as crystal
oscillator
—
—
50

Start-up Time
Crystal oscillator only,
60 mH motional arm
inductance
—
9
—
ms
Battery Voltage Measurement
Accuracy
Table 5. Optional Crystal Oscillator Characteristics
(TA = 25° C, VDD = 3.3 V, RL = 600 , unless otherwise noted)
Parameter
Symbol
Table 6. EEPROM Characteristics
Parameter
Conditions
Program Time
Independent of number of bits
changing values
Maximum Count per Counter
Using API
Min
Typ
Max
Units
—
8
40
ms
1000000
Write Endurance (per bit)*
50000
—
cycles
—
cycles
Note: *API uses coding technique to achieve write endurance of 1M cycles per bit.
Table 7. Low Power Oscillator Characteristics
VDD = 1.8 to 3.6 V; TA = –40 to +85 °C unless otherwise specified. Use factory-calibrated settings.
Parameter
Conditions
Programmable Frequency Range Programmable divider in powers of 2 up to 128
Frequency Accuracy
8
Rev 0.1
Min
Typ
Max
Units
.1875
—
24
MHz
–1
—
+1
%
Si4012
1.1. Definition of Test Conditions
Production Test Conditions:

TA = +25 °C

VDD = +3.3 VDC

TX output power measured at 100 MHz
 All RF output levels referred to the pins of the Si4012 (not the RF module)
Qualification Test Conditions:

TA = –40 to +85 °C

VDD = +1.8 to +3.6 VDC

All RF output levels referred to the pins of the Si4012 (not the RF module)
Rev 0.1
9
Si4012
2. Functional Description
Si4012
DIGITAL LOGIC
SDA
SCL
SMBus
INTERFACE
RF ANALOG CORE
ANTENNA
TUNE
OOK
DIVIDER
FSK
SDN
nIRQ
MODULATOR
AUTO
TUNE
TXP
LDO
POR
BANDGAP
VDD
TXM
LCOSC
TX
256 BYTE
DATA FIFO
LED
GPIO0/XTAL
PA
LPOSC
VA
DIGITAL
CONTROLLER
SLP
TMR
REGISTER
BANK
XTAL
OSC
VD
GND
BATTERY
MONITOR
Figure 1. Si4012 Functional Block Diagram
The Si4012 is a crystal wireless transmitter with
continuous frequency tuning over the frequency range
of 27–960 MHz. The wide operating voltage range of
1.8–3.6 V and low current consumption makes the
Si4012 an ideal solution for battery powered
applications.
The RF carrier is generated by Silicon Labs patented
pending crystal-less oscillator technology. The device
achieves a frequency accuracy of ±150 ppm over the
commercial temperature range of 0 to 70 °C and
±250 ppm over the industrial temperature range of –40
to +85 °C.
10
The Si4012's PA output power can be configured
between –13 to +10 dBm with 0.25 dB of resolution.
The PA incorporates automatic ramp-up and rampdown control to reduce unwanted spectral spreading.
The Si4012 is designed to work with a microcontroller to
allow custom configuration of the transmitter for
optimum performance. Voltage regulators are integrated
on-chip which allows for a wide operating supply voltage
range of 1.8 to 3.6 V. A standard 2-pin SMB (I2C) bus is
used to communicate with an external microcontroller.
Rev 0.1
Si4012
3. Pin Descriptions: Si4012
GPIO0/XTAL 1
10 SDA
GND 2
9 SCL
TXM 3
8 SDN
Si4012
TXP 4
7 nIRQ
VDD 5
6 LED
Pin Number
Name
Description
1
GPIO0/XTAL
2
GND
3,4
TXM, TXP
5
VDD
Supply input
9
LED
LED driver output pin
7
nIRQ
Interrupt status output, active low
8
SDN
Shutdown input pin, active high
9
SCL
SMB (I2C) Clock input
10
SDA
SMB (I2C) Data input/output pin
General purpose input or crystal input
Ground
RF transmitter differential outputs
Rev 0.1
11
Si4012
4. Ordering Information
Part
Number*
Si4012-A0-GT
Description
Crystal-less RF Transmitter
Package
Type
Operating
Temperature
MSOP-10
–40 to 85 °C
*Note: Add an “(R)” at the end of the device part number to denote tape and reel option.
12
Rev 0.1
Si4012
5. Package Outline: Si4012
Figure 21 illustrates the package details for the Si4012. Table 16 lists the values for the dimensions shown in the
illustration.
Figure 2. 20-Pin Quad Flat No-Lead (QFN)
Table 8. Package Dimensions
Symbol
A
A1
A2
b
c
D
E
E1
Millimeters
Symbol
Min
Nom
Max
—
0.00
0.75
0.17
0.08
—
—
0.85
—
—
3.00 BSC
4.90 BSC
3.00 BSC
1.10
0.15
0.95
0.33
0.23
Millimeters
Min
e
L
L2
q
aaa
bbb
ccc
ddd
0.40
0°
—
—
—
—
Nom
0.50 BSC
0.60
0.25 BSC
—
—
—
—
—
Max
0.80
8°
0.20
0.25
0.10
0.08
Notes:
1. All dimensions are shown in millimeters (mm).
2. Dimensioning and tolerancing per ASME Y14.5M-1994.
3. This drawing conforms to JEDEC Outline MO-187, Variation “BA.”
4. Recommended card reflow profile is per the JEDEC/IPC J-STD-020 specification for Small Body Components.
Rev 0.1
13
Si4012
6. PCB Land Pattern: Si4012
Figure 2 illustrates the PCB land pattern details for the Si4012. Table 17 lists the values for the dimensions shown
in the illustration.
Figure 3. PCB Land Pattern
14
Rev 0.1
Si4012
Table 9. 10-Pin MSOP Package Dimensions
Dimension
MIN
MAX
C1
4.40 REF
E
0.50 BSC
G1
3.00
—
X1
—
0.30
Y1
Z1
1.40 REF
—
5.80
Notes:
General
1. All dimensions shown are in millimeters (mm) unless otherwise noted.
2. Dimensioning and Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5M-1994.
3. This Land Pattern Design is based on the IPC-7351 guidelines.
4. All dimensions shown are at Maximum Material Condition (MMC).
Least Material Condition (LMC) is calculated based on a Fabrication
Allowance of 0.05 mm.
Solder Mask Design
1. All metal pads are to be non-solder mask defined (NSMD). Clearance
between the solder mask and the metal pad is to be 60 µm minimum,
all the way around the pad.
Stencil Design
1. A stainless steel, laser-cut and electro-polished stencil with
trapezoidal walls should be used to assure good solder paste release.
2. The stencil thickness should be 0.125 mm (5 mils).
3. The ratio of stencil aperture to land pad size should be 1:1.
Card Assembly
1. A No-Clean, Type-3 solder paste is recommended.
2. The recommended card reflow profile is per the JEDEC/IPC J-STD020 specification for Small Body Components.
Rev 0.1
15
Si4012
CONTACT INFORMATION
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
400 West Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78701
Tel: 1+(512) 416-8500
Fax: 1+(512) 416-9669
Toll Free: 1+(877) 444-3032
Please visit the Silicon Labs Technical Support web page:
https://www.silabs.com/support/pages/contacttechnicalsupport.aspx
and register to submit a technical support request.
The information in this document is believed to be accurate in all respects at the time of publication but is subject to change without notice.
Silicon Laboratories assumes no responsibility for errors and omissions, and disclaims responsibility for any consequences resulting from
the use of information included herein. Additionally, Silicon Laboratories assumes no responsibility for the functioning of undescribed features
or parameters. Silicon Laboratories reserves the right to make changes without further notice. Silicon Laboratories makes no warranty, representation or guarantee regarding the suitability of its products for any particular purpose, nor does Silicon Laboratories assume any liability
arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit, and specifically disclaims any and all liability, including without limitation consequential or incidental damages. Silicon Laboratories products are not designed, intended, or authorized for use in applications intended to
support or sustain life, or for any other application in which the failure of the Silicon Laboratories product could create a situation where personal injury or death may occur. Should Buyer purchase or use Silicon Laboratories products for any such unintended or unauthorized application, Buyer shall indemnify and hold Silicon Laboratories harmless against all claims and damages.
Silicon Laboratories and Silicon Labs are trademarks of Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Other products or brandnames mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
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