Single-chip RF MCU integrates 802.15.4 radio

Article By : EE Times Asia

Built using the SAM L21 MCU which leverages the Cortex M0+ architecture, the SAM R30 features ultra-low power sleep modes.

Microchip's single-chip RF microcontroller, the SAM R30 SiP, incorporates a low-power MCU with an 802.15.4 sub-GHz radio, providing multi-year battery life in a compact 5mm package.

The SAM R30 SiP is suited for connected home, smart city and industrial applications, according to the company.

Built using the SAM L21 MCU which leverages the Cortex M0+ architecture, the SAM R30 features ultra-low power sleep modes, with wake from serial communication or General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) while consuming a mere 500nA.

With the ability to operate within the 769-935MHz range, the SAM R30 SiP gives developers the flexibility to implement a point-to-point, star or mesh network. Microchip helps developers get started immediately with Microchip’s free MiWi point-to-point/star network protocol stack, while mesh networking capabilities will be available later this year. Nodes outfitted with the SiP can be positioned as far as 1km apart, with the ability to double the range in a star topology. When used in a mesh network, the SAM R30 delivers reliable wide-area coverage for applications such as street lighting or wind and solar farms.

Developers can begin prototyping with the ATSAMR30-XPRO development board, a USB-interfaced development board supported by Microchip's Atmel Studio 7 Software Development Kit (SDK).

Figure 1: SAM R30 SiP block diagram (Source: Microchip)

The SAM R30 SiP is available in two QFN packages to be sampled or purchased in volume production quantities: The ATSAMR30E18 in a QFN32 package is available for $4.11 each in 10,000-unit quantities, while the ATSAMR30G18 in a QFN48 package is available for $4.26 each in 10,000-unit quantities. The ATSAMR30-XPRO development board is available for $65 per board.