New ISM-band Transceiver beats all competitors with outstanding link budget

Engineers have long faced the challenge of designing ISM band solutions capable of achieving long range with high reliability. XEMICS has met this challenge with the introduction of the XE1203 ISM band transceiver which operates in the 433MHz, 868MHz and 915MHz ISM bands and offers a unique combination of features.

(PRWEB) August 29, 2003 -- Engineers have long faced the challenge of designing ISM band solutions capable of achieving long range with high reliability. XEMICS has met this challenge with the introduction of the XE1203 ISM band transceiver which operates in the 433MHz, 868MHz and 915MHz ISM bands and offers a unique combination of features.

Innovative power-saving features in the XE1203 such as pattern recognition within the received signal enable battery-powered applications to operate in excess of ten years before the battery requires replacing, making the XE1203 ideal for automatic meter reading and building automation applications" says Rob Whittaker, XEMICS Wireless RF Business Unit Manager.

The XE1203 can transmit and receive data from 1.2 kbps right up to 153.2 kbps, RF output power can be programmed up to +15dBm (31.5mW) and the current consumption while in reception mode is 14mA. The on-chip frequency synthesizer ensures that the chip can handle multi-channel as well as frequency hopping spread-spectrum communications.

•   Link budget: the combination excellent receiver sensitivity and best-in-class transmit power enables a total link budget in excess of 128dB, enabling reliable RF links in excess of several kilometers without external amplification
•   Transmit power: up to +15dBm
•   Data rate: up to 153.2 kbps, supporting high-quality speech links or extremely short data bursts
•   DTS: complies with the latest FCC ruling enabling transmit power up to +8dBm/3 kHz without having to implement frequency-hopping in the United States.
•   Konnex compatible: special operation mode supports the European KONNEX home automation standard for RF-linked home and building automation
•   Optional Barker-encoder mode: improves link robustness for low data-rate applications. Customers have reported reliable communication up to four kilometers without external amplification
•   Small VQFN48 package: only 7mm by 7mm for compact RF layouts

The XE1203 is capable of operating either in a Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) mode or can take full advantage of the FCC part 15.247 ruling for operation as a DTS-compliant device. In a FHSS system the fast Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) switching time of approximately 60us translates to a direct competitive advantage in terms of scanning available channels and synchronization. To put this into perspective, the closest competitor to the XE1203 requires a PLL calibration of at least 10 milliseconds. As another alternative the XE1203 has been ruled by the FCC as a DTS-complaint device under Part 15.247 of the regulatory terms. By not having to frequency hop, the transmitter and receiver radios can reside on one channel indefinitely and radio synchronization is not required. Since transmitter and receiver on-time can be less than 5% compared to a FHSS radio, this is especially attractive for battery-powered applications.

The XE1203 offers a powerful combination of features and is also available as the heart of an ETSI-compliant or FCC-compliant module solution. Design and layout files are also available directly from XEMICS to support low-risk RF layout implementation and reduce time to market.

At prices as low as $2.60 in million pieces quantities, the XE1203 is competitively priced whilst offering no-compromise performance.

ABOUT XEMICS
XEMICS is a privately owned fabless semiconductor company with headquarters in Switzerland and a worldwide sales and customer support network. XEMICS delivers a range of advanced short-range wireless connectivity solutions to a global customer base. XEMICS is a leading designer and provider of Wireless RF transceivers and Bluetooth applications, data acquisition, communication products, CODECs and GPS receivers. With a focus on high-quality low cost solutions XEMICS provides a combination of ultra-low power technology and innovative IC design.

For further information, please contact:

Isabelle Bellaton
Marketing Communications Manager
XEMICS Switzerland
Phone: +41 32 720 5562
Fax: +41 32 720 5770
E-Mail: pr@xemics.com
Website: www.xemics.com