Micrel transmitter-receiver pair handles 115Kbps at 1GHz

Micrel Semiconductor Inc. has released an ASK transmitter-receiver pair that provides up to 115Kbps data rate over the 800MHz to 1GHz frequency range and is aimed at low-cost, short-range wireless applications such as wireless keyboards, video game controllers, HVAC system, and home automation.

A part of the QwikRadio RF product portfolio, the MICRF005 receiver and MICRF103 transmitter operate off a 5V supply, with the receiver drawing 10mA and the transmitter consuming 16mA.

As with other QwikRadio receivers, the MICRF005 requires three external components - two capacitors and a reference oscillator - to implement a complete RF receiver. One of the capacitors sets the attack/decay time of the on-board AGC, the second capacitor sets the data demodulator slicing threshold, while the reference oscillator determines the receive frequency.

The MICRF005 is available in SOIC-14 packaging and is priced at $2.33 in 1,000-piece quantities, while the MICRRF103 is packaged in a SOIC-8 casing and is priced at $1.61 also in 1,000-piece quantities.