'First true' One-Chip ZigBee SoC

Chipcon unveiled what it touts as the world's first true One-Chip ZigBee solution. Measuring 7-by-7mm, the CC2430 combines a robust radio, programmable microcontroller, flash memory, and both IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee software all in one easy-to-use and cost-effective chip.

The CC2430 SoC family will be available as three different products—CC2430-F32, CC2430-F64 and CC2430-F128. The difference between these three products is the flash configurations (32-, 64- and 128KB), with each configuration having 8KB of RAM and other powerful supporting features.

According to the press release, the availability of this new ZigBee SoC solution is a huge leap for OEMs with products targeted at home and building automation, HVAC, automated meter reading (AMR), medical devices, home entertainment, logistics, and other end markets where wires will be replaced by inexpensive low-power wireless communications. Chipcon added that the CC2430 will enable OEMs to seamlessly develop compact, high performance and reliable wireless networking products using the chip as the only active device in the system, reducing both time-to-market and, production and test costs to the minimum.

Low current consumption

The CC2430 is based on Chipcon's SmartRF 03 technology platform in 0.18?m CMOS. During receive and transmit modes, the current consumption of this IC is as low as 27mA and 25mA, respectively. In addition, the product's sleep modes and its short transition times to active modes make it a suitable solution for applications that require very long battery lifetime.

Available in a 7-by-7mm 48-pin package, the CC2430 has a per unit price of $3.90 (CC2430-F128), $3.60 (CC2430-F64) and $3.30 (CC2430-F32) in high volume orders. The CC2430 Zigbee development kits are already in production, and will start shipping in November, with CC2430 chip mass production shortly thereafter. The CC2430 Zigbee development kit will be offered with a 2-day ZigBee software training.