Next-Generation Si446x EZRadioPRO Transceivers Maximize Range, Extend
Battery Life for Broad Array of Wireless Applications
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Silicon
Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in high-performance,
analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, today introduced the industry's
highest performance, lowest power sub-GHz transceivers designed to
maximize range and battery life for wireless systems. The new Si446x
EZRadioPRO® transceiver family's combination of superior RF performance
and ultra-low power consumption makes it an ideal solution for a broad
range of wireless applications including smart meters, security and home
automation systems, industrial control systems, sensor networks and
electronic shelf labels.
The new EZRadioPRO Si446x transceiver family offers industry-leading RF
performance resulting in extended wireless range and compliance with the
industry's most stringent narrowband regulatory standards while
delivering a superior cost-performance solution for designers. The
transceivers provide extended range for wireless applications by
leveraging best-in-class performance specifications in transmit output
power (+20 dBm), sensitivity (-126 dBm), link budget (146 dB) and RX
adjacent channel selectivity (58 dB). The Si446x transceivers also
feature a patented antenna diversity algorithm developed to counteract
the effects of multipath and fading, effectively doubling the wireless
range in a multipath/fading environment.
Designed with continuous frequency coverage from 119 to 1050 MHz, the
new Si446x transceivers support a number of advanced modulation
techniques including 4GFSK, (G) FSK, GMSK and OOK with support for
maximum data rates up to 1 Mbps (4GFSK). The transceivers comply with
the 802.15.4 d/g specification and the Wireless M-Bus protocol for smart
utility networks. The Si446x transceivers also feature exceptional phase
noise, selectivity and blocking specifications, making them an optimal
enabling solution for emerging narrowband applications requiring
compliance with FCC Part 90 Mask D, ARIB STD-T96/T67 and ETSI EN 300.
The Si446x products are the first transceivers to provide extended
frequency coverage for new and emerging narrowband applications such as
151 MHz multi-use radio service (MURS band) in the United States, as
well as the alternative 138 MHz and 169 MHz bands for the European
market.
The Si446x family's industry-leading power efficiency maximizes battery
life for power-sensitive wireless applications, resulting in fewer
battery replacements and/or reduced battery size with the same lifetime
cost savings. The Si446x transceivers achieve a 50 nA sleep/standby
current with register retention, consuming 75 percent less current in
sleep mode than competing solutions. The Si446x family also offers
unmatched levels of low power consumption in TX and RX modes. Transmit
current specifications as low as 17 mA at +10 dBm can be achieved for
coin cell battery applications and 85 mA at +20 dBm for higher
performance applications. The transceivers feature ultra-low receive
current specifications in a high-performance receive mode (13 mA) and in
a low-current receive mode (10 mA), outperforming most competing devices
in low-power operation.
"Silicon Labs' Si446x family takes sub-GHz wireless technology to a new
level of narrowband performance and power efficiency," said Mark
Thompson, vice president and general manager of Silicon Labs' Embedded
Mixed-Signal products. "We've set a new milestone in ultra-low-power
operation for wireless transceivers, achieving 50 nA in sleep mode for
the first time, making the Si446x transceivers an ideal solution for
battery-powered and green energy applications."
Rich Wireless Development Environment
Silicon Labs' comprehensive development environment for the Si446x
family includes a wireless development kit based on the company's
modular Unified
Development Platform (UDP). Featuring two base boards and two RF
test cards, the UDP provides a standalone evaluation and software
development platform for EZRadioPRO devices. Silicon Labs' Wireless
Development Suite (WDS) software enables developers to quickly and
easily create and deploy efficient, robust and cost-effective wireless
applications with little or no specific RF design and measurement
experience. Silicon Labs also offers EZMac
embedded media access control software to help developers create
cost-effective mesh networks with less than 128 nodes.
Silicon Labs has developed strategic relationships with key suppliers to
the global smart meter market. Silicon Labs and many of its wireless
development partners have developed joint reference designs and test
cards for smart meters, enabling designers to support applications
requiring output power of up to +30 dBm while reducing development costs
and speeding time to market.
Pricing and Availability
Samples of the Si446x EZRadioPRO transceivers are available now. Pricing
for the Si446x family starts at $1.57 (USD) in 10,000-unit quantities.
The Si4463-915-DK and Si4461-915-DK evaluation kits are available for
$799 (USD MSRP). For additional product information and to purchase
samples and development tools, please visit www.silabs.com/pr/EZRadioPRO.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a
world-class engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in mixed-signal
design, Silicon Labs' diverse portfolio of patented semiconductor
solutions offers customers significant advantages in performance, size
and power consumption. For more information about Silicon Labs, please
visit www.silabs.com.
Cautionary Language
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Silicon Laboratories' current expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could
impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results and cause actual results
to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements,
please refer to Silicon Laboratories' filings with the SEC. Silicon
Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Note to editors: Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the "S" symbol, the
Silicon Laboratories logo and the Silicon Labs logo are trademarks of
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Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Dale Weisman, +1-512-532-5871
dale.weisman@silabs.com
Source: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
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