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deRFsamR21E
-23S00/-23S20
Datasheet
1. General description
The deRFsamR21E is a 2.4GHz ZigBee 3.0 radio module
series which integrates the SoC ATSAMR21E18 from
Microchip / Atmel together with a 4 Mbit data flash on a tiny
size of 21 mm x 13 mm. The microcontroller ATSAMR21E18
integrates a powerful and energy efficient 32-Bit ARM CortexM0+ core together with a 2.4 GHz ZigBee radio transceiver.
The module comes with 16 I/O’s, 256 kbit internal program
flash and 4 Mbit data flash for firmware updates over the air
and data storage. For reliable assembly the module offers
SMD solderable side contacts in 50 mil / 1.27 mm grid. The
module offers ZigBee 3.0 support for smart devices.
Two radio module variants are available:
deRFsamR21E-23S00: integrated RF-design with
chip antenna
deRFsamR21E-23S20: coaxial u.FL-connector for
external antenna applications as well as a RF-pad for
custom RF-designs e.g. external frontend or antenna
diversity
deRFsamR21E-23S00
deRFsamR21E-23S20
2. Features
ATSAMR21E18 Single-chip ARM Cortex-M0+ based 32-bit Microcontroller with Low
Power 2.4 GHz Transceiver for IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee Applications with 256 KB
Flash and 16 I/O’s - all accessible outside the module (four occupied by data flash)
- Maximum operating frequency 48 MHz
- 128-bit AES crypto engine
- 32-bit MAC symbol counter
- Temperature sensor
- Automatic transmission modes
4 Mbit data flash for firmware updates over the air and data storage
Ready-to-use RF design
Radio module with a link budget of up to 103 dBm
CE compliant according to RED 2014/53/EU and FCC certified
Single 2.5 V - 3.6 V supply
Industrial temperature range -40°C to 85°C
1.27 mm / 50 mil pin header with several alternative functions:
- Analog input (12-bit, 350ksps Analog-to-Digital Converter)
- PWM output
- TWI (I2C up to 3.4MHz)
- SPI
- UART
- USB
- GPIO
- SWD programming interface
High precision 16 MHz crystal oscillator
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Table of contents
1. General description ......................................................................................................... 1
2. Features .......................................................................................................................... 1
1. Overview ......................................................................................................................... 6
2. Applications ..................................................................................................................... 6
3. Block diagram .................................................................................................................. 7
4. Pinout .............................................................................................................................. 9
5. Mechanical description .................................................................................................. 10
5.1. Module dimensions............................................................................................... 10
5.2. Recommended footprint ....................................................................................... 11
5.3. ECAD libraries ...................................................................................................... 12
5.4. STEP model library............................................................................................... 12
6. Electrical specification ................................................................................................... 13
6.1. Absolute Maximum Ratings ................................................................ .................. 13
6.2. Electrical Characteristics ...................................................................................... 13
6.3. TX Power register settings .................................................................................... 14
6.4. Fuse setting ................................ ................................................................ .......... 15
7. Onboard SPI Serial Flash .............................................................................................. 16
7.1. Commands ........................................................................................................... 16
7.2. Status register ...................................................................................................... 17
7.3. Flash Timings ....................................................................................................... 17
8. Recommended configuration ......................................................................................... 18
8.1. Signal description ................................................................................................. 19
8.2. UART ................................................................................................................... 19
8.3. I2C (TWI) .............................................................................................................. 20
8.4. USB ...................................................................................................................... 20
8.5. SPI ....................................................................................................................... 20
8.6. ADC ..................................................................................................................... 20
8.7. SWD ..................................................................................................................... 20
8.8. GPIO .................................................................................................................... 20
8.9. Reset .................................................................................................................... 20
9. Application Information .................................................................................................. 21
9.1. PCB Technology .................................................................................................. 21
9.2. Power supply ........................................................................................................ 21
9.3. Ground plane........................................................................................................ 21
9.4. Layers .................................................................................................................. 21
9.5. Traces below the module...................................................................................... 22
9.6. Placement on the PCB ......................................................................................... 22
9.7. Recommended layout for deRFsamR21E-23S00 ................................................. 23
9.8. RF Design for deRFsamR21E-23S20 ................................................................... 24
9.8.1. External front end and antenna diversity ................................................... 24
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
10. Programming ................................................................................................................. 26
10.1. Software/Applications ........................................................................................... 26
10.2. Clocks .................................................................................................................. 26
10.3. Pre-flashed firmware ............................................................................................ 27
11. Radio certification .......................................................................................................... 28
11.1. United States (FCC) ............................................................................................. 28
11.2. European Union (ETSI) ........................................................................................ 29
11.3. Approved antennas .............................................................................................. 30
12. Ordering information ...................................................................................................... 31
13. Packaging dimension .................................................................................................... 32
14. Soldering profile............................................................................................................. 33
15. Revision notes ............................................................................................................... 34
16. References .................................................................................................................... 35
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Document history
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
Communication standard, applicable to low-rate Wireless Personal Area
Networks (WPAN)
IPv6 over Low Power Wireless Personal Area Networks
Analog to Digital Converter
Electromagnetic Interference
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
Federal Communications Commission
Generals Purpose Input Output
Medium (Media) Access Control
Radio Equipment Directive
Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
(Directive of the European Union)
Serial Peripheral Interface
Two-Wire Serial Interface
Universal [Synchronous/]Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
Low-cost, low-power wireless mesh network standard. The ZigBee Alliance
is a group of companies that maintain and publish the ZigBee standard.
Abbreviations
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
1. Overview
The deRFsamR21E series is the second generation of small, ready-to-use radio modules that
provides a fully integrated solution for wireless applications, using the IEEE802.15.4 standard in
the 2.45 GHz ISM frequency band. All required RF components are already integrated on the
module, therefore no expensive RF design is needed. Features can be added by simply connecting sensors and output stages to the module. The deRFsamR21E module series reduces time to
market, effort and cost significantly for wireless applications.
The deRFsamR21E series is based on the SoC ATSAMR21E18 from Microchip/ Atmel which
features an ARM Cortex-M0+ core and a 2.4 GHz ZigBee transceiver. It enables use of ZigBee
3.0 for smart devices in a wide field of applications. For this tiny series, dresden elektronik is using a footprint, which offers SMD solderable side contacts in a 50 mil / 1.27 mm grid for easy
assembly and inspection. The module offers 256 KB internal flash as program memory as well
as 4 Mbit data flash for firmware updates over the air and data storage.
Two radio module variants are available:
deRFsamR21E-23S00: integrated RF-design with chip antenna for easy and fast
integration with no need for custom RF design and low BOM cost since all necessary
components are integrated on the module
deRFsamR21E-23S20: coaxial u.FL-connector for external antenna applications as
well as a RF-pad which enables custom RF-design e.g. use of external frontend with
power amplifier/ low noise amplifier or antenna diversity
Both modules are full compliant to all EU and FCC regulatory requirements.
2. Applications
The main applications for the radio modules are:
ZigBee 3.0
Smart Home
Lighting Application
Home Automation
Wireless Sensor Networks
Industrial Controlling
Smart Metering
6LoWPAN
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
ATSAMR21E18
4Mbit Serial Flash
Balun &
Harmonic
Filter
Chip
Antenna
SPI
12 GPIO
SPI
VCC
ATSAMR21E18
Balun &
Harmonic
Filter
12 GPIO
U.FL
4Mbit Serial Flash
SPI
SPI
VCC
3. Block diagram
Figure 5-15 shows the block diagram of the radio module deRFsamR21E-23S00.
Figure 3-1: Block diagram deRFsamR21E-23S00
Figure 5-2 shows the block diagram of the radio module deRFsamR21E-23S20 with u.FL
connector.
Figure 5-2: Block diagram deRFsamR21E-23S20
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
ATSAMR21E18
Balun &
Harmonic
Filter
12 GPIO
4Mbit Serial Flash
SPI
SPI
VCC
RF-out
Figure 5-3 shows the block diagram of the radio module deRFsamR21E-23S20 with RF-out
pad.
Figure 5-3: Block diagram deRFsamR21E-23S20 with RF-out pad used
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
4. Pinout
In this chapter the pinout is described. The following figure shows the pinout of the radio
module. The pinout applies to both variants 23S00 and 23S20.
1. RF-OUT only for deRFsamR21E-23S20, do not connect for deRFsamR21E-23S00
2. The onboard data flash is connected to the controller at these pins. The SPI chip-
For a recommended configuration of the module pins with all common interfaces see
Section 10. A more detailed description on port to function assignment can be found in [1]
Table 5-1.
and if unused.
select (SS signal) is not available for use other than internal data flash control.
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
5. Mechanical description
5.1. Module dimensions
The mechanical dimensions are described in this chapter. The modules size is
21.0 x 13.0 x 2.5 mm (0,827 x 0,512 x 0,098 inch). Figure 7-1 shows additional dimensions.
Figure 7-1: mechanical dimensions of the module
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datasheet
Version 0.9
2017-09-13
deRFsamR21E-23S00/-23S20 datasheet
www.dresden-elektronik.de
5.2. Recommended footprint
Both radio module types share the same footprint, only the area which it is not allowed to
place copper on is different.
Figure 7-2: Recommended Footprint for deRFsamR21E-23S00