Module upgrades make for efficient dPMR radio designs

A new set of Function Images for the company's CMX7131/7141 family of Digital PMR Processors has been recently unveiled by telecommunications IC manufacturer CML Microcircuits.

Bolstering an already flexible device, the new Function Images allow for a small, low-cost, low-power digital and analogue PMR radio design. CML's chipset also makes it easier to design a small, low-cost, low-power analogue or digital PMR (dPMR) radio.

The chipset presents a comprehensive dPMR solution, providing RF direct conversion with minimal external components and set-up, plus base band and AIR interface physical and data link layers complying to dPMR Mode 1, 2 & 3 TS 102 658. This market-leading solution also provides full backward compatibility to legacy analogue PMR.

When the new Function Image for the CMX7131/7141, is combined with a suitable host and a Direct Conversion (I/Q) receiver, such as CML's popular CMX994, a low-cost digital PMR radio can be realised. Through the embedded functionality of the CMX7131/7141 managing the CMX994 down converter autonomously, host microcontroller interactions are minimised enabling the lowest operating power and therefore longest battery life for a digital PMR radio.

CMX7131/7141 are half-duplex processor IC platforms built on FirmASIC technology suitable for use in digital radio and dual-mode (analogue/digital) systems, including dPMR, dPMR Mode 1/2/3, PMR446, DCR, NXDN and ARIB radio designs. Alternatively, these ICs, with the correct Function Image, can be configured to operate as an Analogue Two-way Radio Processor.

7131/7141FI-7.x—Implements a half-duplex 4FSK modem and the dPMR Air Interface, Physical and Data Link layers conforming to ETSI's dPMR standard TS 102 658 and allows autonomous control of the CMX994 Direct Conversion (I/Q) Receiver.

7131/7141FI-8.x – Implements half-duplex Analogue PMR signal processing, including voice processing, 1200bit/s FFSK modem, CTCSS/DCS and Selcall signalling and allows autonomous control of the CMX994 Direct Conversion (I/Q) Receiver.

Dual mode analogue/digital PMR operation can also be achieved by re-loading the device with Function Image 7131/7141FI-7.1.x or 7131/7141FI-8.x. The devices have flexible power-saving modes, can be supplied in either LQFP or VQFN packages and are available now.

Visit CML Microcircuits at www.cmlmicro.com.

- Paul Buckley
??EE Times Europe