Nordic launches industry's highest integration low voltage supply, long-range 430-928MHz transceiver family with embedded MCU and ADC

Oslo, NORWAY (Feb.5, 2004) - Providing global wireless equipment vendors with 430-950MHz transceiver technology with unsurpassed solution cost, performance and ease of use, Nordic VLSI ASA today introduced the nRF9E5 transceiver with MCU,  ADC and the nRF905 transceiver. The nRF9X5 components are designed for wireless transceiver applications in industrial as well as domestic environments. Typical usage includes security systems, wireless data transfer, automatic meter reading, car alarm systems, point-of-sale systems, sensors and various telemetry systems.

HIGHEST INTEGRATION

Both the nRF9E5 and nRF905 are manufactured in an ultra modern 0.18um CMOS process. The entire transceiver including all inductors and filters and is integrated in a single chip that gives the lowest cost solution to the end user. The nRF9E5 transceiver has an embedded 8051 compatible MCU, and 4 input 10 bit ADC - for the first time providing the market with a complete low cost wireless system-on-a-chip solution with a single 1.9V-3.6V supply. Voltage regulators are embedded on-chip to further lower the system cost, and to enhance performance.

Both components include the unique ShockBurst" feature that is used in both receive and transmit mode and greatly simplifies software and protocol design. ShockBurst" includes features for CRC computation in both TX and RX mode, and address decoding in RX mode, greatly reducing the load and cost of the MCU running the RF protocol, compared to existing transceivers in the market. Furthermore ShockBurst" is capable of buffering up to 32 Bytes of payload coupled with short start-up times, which enables very low power duty cycled systems.

A crystal and a resistor are the two components needed externally to make up a complete system around the nRF905. The nRF9E5 requires an external EEPROM for external program storage. Both the components are delivered in a "Green" lead-free 32 pin 5x5mm QFN package.

"The embedded features of the nRF9E5 enables complete wireless systems to fit into a single chip measuring 5x5mm. When the same solution also has an unbeatable system cost and outstanding performance figures, we know it will offer customers the best value for money today. The nRF9E5 is the smallest, it uses extremely little current, and can operate directly from most known battery technologies" says Geir Langeland, Product Manager for Nordic VLSI's standard products.

Design and layout files are available for both the nRF905 and nRF9E5 from Nordic VLSI to facilitate low risk development and short time to market for customers.

A unique feature of the nRF9X5 family is the capability to operate with the same layout and identical external components in the unlicensed European 868MHz ISM band as well as the North-American 915MHz SRD band, easing logistics and lowering cost for manufacturers who have customers in both territories.

Additional features of the nRF905:

• 430-928MHz operation
  
• 100KHz frequency resolution @ 430MHz
  
• 200KHz frequency resolution @ 862-928MHz
  
• 1.9 - 3.6V voltage supply
  
• 0 - 50Kbit/sec datarate
  
• Programmable up 10dBm output power
  
• CRC and address decode
  
• ShockBurst mode  
  
• 12.5mA Peak RX current
  
• Clock recovery on data
  
• -40 to +85°C temperature range

Additional features of the nRF9E5:

• All features of the nRF905
• 8051 MCU
• 4-channel 10 bit ADC
• 4K Byte RAM
• High Drive I/O
• SPI, UART, Timers, RC-OSC etc.

Complete evaluation kits with PC software and USB connection are available for the nRF905 and nRF9E5. The nRF9E5 is in addition supported by 3rd party SW development tools.

Availability

Both the nRF905 and nRF9E5 are fully available from Nordic VLSI and authorized distributors. Suggested resale price in quantities of 10,000 units is USD 2.56 for the nRF905 and USD 2.86 for the nRF9E5.

Facts about Nordic VLSI ASA

Founded in 1983, Nordic VLSI is one of the leading European independent IC design houses developing, producing and delivering state-of-the-art integrated circuits for customers world wide. All operations are managed according to an ISO9001 approved quality assurance system. Nordic VLSI is also listed at the Norwegian stock exchange.