The rfRXD0420/0920 are low cost, compact single
frequency short-range radio receivers requiring only a
minimum number of external components for a
complete receiver system. The rfRXD0420 covers the
receive frequency range of 300 MHz to 450 MHz and
the rfRXD0920 covers 800 MHz to 930 MHz. The
rfRXD0420 and rfRXD0920 share a common architecture. They can be configured for Amplitude Shift Keying
(ASK), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), or FM modulation. The rfRXD0420/0920 are compatible with rfPIC™
and rfHCS series of RF transmitters.
• High frequency stability over temperature and
power supply variations
• Low spurious signal emission
• High large-signal handling capability with
selectable LNA gain control for improved dynamic
range
• Selectable IF bandwidth via external low cost
ceramic IF filter. The IF Frequency range is
selectable between 455 kHz to 21.4 MHz. This
facilitates the use of readily available low cost
10.7 MHz ceramic IF filters in a variety of
bandwidths.
• ASK or FSK for digital data reception
• FM modulation for analog signal reception
• FSK/FM demodulation using quadrature detector
(phase coincidence detector)
• Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) for
signal strength indication and ASK detection
• Wide supply voltage range
• Low active current consumption
• Very low standby current
The rfRXD0420/0920 is a single conversion superheterodyne architecture. A block diagram is illustrated in
Figure 1-1. The rfRXD0420/0920 consists of:
• Low-noise amplifier (LNA) - Gain selectable
• Mixer for down-conversion of the RF signal to the
Intermediate Frequency (IF) followed by an IF
preamplifier
• Fully integrated Phase-Locked Loop (PLL)
frequency synthesizer for generation of the Local
Oscillator (LO) signal. The frequency synthesizer
consists of:
- Crystal oscillator
- Phase-frequency detector and charge pump
- High-frequency Voltage Controlled Oscillator
(VCO)
- Fixed feedback divider
- rfRXD0420 = divide by 16
- rfRXD0920 = divide by 32
• IF limiting amplifier to amplify and limit the IF
signal and for Received Signal Strength Indication
(RSSI) generation
• Demodulator (DEMOD) section consists of a
phase detector (MIXER2) and amplifier creating a
quadrature detector (also known as a phase
coincidence detector) to demodulate the IF signal
in FSK and FM modulation applications
• Operational amplifier (OPA) that can be configured as a comparator for ASK or FSK data
decision or as a filter for FM modulation.
• Bias circuitry for bandgap biasing and circuit
shutdown
DS70090A-page 2Preliminary 2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
RSSI21OAnalogReceived signal strength indicator output
OUT+23OAnalogDemodulator output (positive)
DEM
OUT-24OAnalogDemodulator output (negative)
DEM
XTAL26IAnalogCrystal oscillator input
ENRX28ICMOSReceiver enable input
LF29IAnalogExternal loop filter connection. Common node of
charge pump output and VCO tuning input.
IN31IAnalogLNA input
LNA
V
DD8, 14, 17, 27, 32PPositive supply
SS1, 5, 10, 25, 30PGround reference
V
Legend: I = Input, O = Output, I/O = Input/Output, P = Power, CMOS = CMOS compatible input or output
DS70090A-page 4Preliminary 2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
rfRXD0420/0920
A
2.0CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
This section gives a circuit description of the internal
circuitry of the rfRXD0420/0920 receiver. External
connections and components are given in the
APPLICATION CIRCUITS section.
2.1Bias Circuitry
Bias circuitry provides bandgap biasing and circuit
shutdown capabilities. The ENRX (Pin 28) modes are
summarized in Table 2-1. The ENRX pin is a CMOS
compatible input and is internally pulled down to Vss.
TABLE 2-1: BIAS CIRCUITRY CONTROL
(1)
ENRX
0Standby mode
1Receiver enabled
Note 1: ENRX has internal pull-down to Vss
2.2Frequency Synthesizer
The Phase-locked Loop (PLL) frequency synthesizer
generates the Local Oscillator (LO) signal. It consists
of:
• Crystal oscillator
• Phase-frequency detector and charge pump
• Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
• Fixed feedback divider:
- rfRXD0420 = divide by 16
- rfRXD0920 = divide by 32
Description
The PLL consists of a phase-frequency detector,
charge pump, voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and
fixed divide-by-16 (rfRXD0420) or divide-by-32
(rfRXD0920) divider. The rfRXD0420/0920 employs a
charge pump PLL that offers many advantages over
the classical voltage phase detector PLL: infinite pull-in
range and zero steady state phase error. The charge
pump PLL allows the use of passive loop filters that are
lower cost and minimize noise. Charge pump PLLs
have reduced flicker noise thus limiting phase noise.
An external loop filter is connected to pin LF (Pin 29).
The loop filter controls the dynamic behavior of the
PLL, primarily lock time and spur levels. The application determines the loop filter requirements.
The VCO gain for the rfRXD0420/0920 receivers are
listed in Table 2-2.
TABLE 2-2: PLL PARAMETERS
Device
K
VCO
(1)
rfRXD0420250 MHz/V at
433 MHz
rfRXD0920300 MHz/V at
868 MHz
Note 1: Typical value
The LF pin is illustrated in Figure 2-2.
(1)
ICP
Divider
60 µA16
60 µA32
FIGURE 2-2:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF LOOP
FILTER PIN
2.2.1CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR
The internal crystal oscillator is a Colpitts type oscillator. It provides the reference frequency to the PLL. A
crystal is normally connected to the XTAL (Pin 26) and
ground. The internal capacitance of the crystal oscillator is 15 pF. Alternatively, a signal can be injected into
the XTAL pin from a signal source. The signal should
be AC coupled via a series capacitor at a level of
approximately 600 mV
.
pp
The XTAL pin is illustrated in Figure 2-1.
FIGURE 2-1:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF
XTAL PIN
VDD
VDDVDD
XTAL
26
VSS
50 kΩ
30 pF
30 pF
VSSVSS
40 µ
VDD
LF
29
VSS
200 Ω
400 Ω
4 pF
VSS
VSS
2.3Low Noise Amplifier
The Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) is a high-gain amplifier
whose primary purpose is to lower the overall noise
figure of the entire receiver thus enhancing the receiver
sensitivity. The LNA is an open-collector cascode
design. The benefits of a cascode design are:
• high gain with low noise
• high-frequency
• wide bandwidth
• low effective input capacitance with stable input
impedance
• high output resistance
• high reverse isolation that provides improved
stability and reduces LO leakage
Approximate LNA noise figures are listed in Table 2-3.
TABLE 2-3: LNA NOISE FIGURES
Device
Noise Figure
rfRXD0420TBD
rfRXD0920TBD
Note 1: Approximate value
LNA
IN (Pin 31) has an input impedance of approxi-
mately 26 Ω || 2 pF single-ended.
OUT (Pin 3) has an open-collector output and is
LNA
pulled up to V
DD via a tuned circuit.
Important: To ensure LNA stability the V
must be connected to a low impedance ground.
The LNA pins are illustrated in Figure 2-3.
(1)
SS pin (Pin 1)
FIGURE 2-3:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF LNA
PINS
LNA
VSS
V
VSS
OUT
3
DD
VSS
1
LNA
31
1.6V
0.8V
VDD
5 kΩ
IN
VSS
The gain of the LNA can be selected between High and
Low Gain modes by the LNA
GAIN pin (Pin 2). LNAGAIN
is a CMOS input with hysteresis. Table 2-4 summarizes
the voltage levels and modes for LNA gain.
In the High Gain mode the LNA operates normally. In
Low Gain mode the gain of the LNA is reduced approximately 25 dB, reduces total supply current, and
increases maximum input signal levels (see Electrical
Characteristics section for values).
TABLE 2-4: LNA GAIN CONTROL
LNAGAINDescription
< 0.8 VHigh Gain mode
> 1.4 VLow Gain mode
The 1IF+ (Pin 6) and 1IF- (Pin 7) are bias connections
to the MIXER1 balanced collectors. Both pins are
open-collector outputs and are individually pulled up to
DD by a load resistor. The MIXER1 bias pins are illus-
V
trated in Figure 2-5.
1IF
OUT (Pin 9) has an approximately 330 Ω single-
ended output impedance. The 330 Ω impedance
provides a direct match to low cost ceramic IF filters.
The 1IF
OUT pins is illustrated in Figure 2-6.
FIGURE 2-4:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF MIXER1
PIN
1IF
4
VDD
IN
VSS
13 Ω
13 Ω
500 µA
VSS
FIGURE 2-5:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF MIXER1
BIAS PINS
VDDVDD
VSS
20 pF
500 µA
1IF-
7
VSS
1IF+
6
20 pF
VSS
500 µA
VSS
FIGURE 2-6:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF IF
PREAMP PIN
VDDVDD
6.8 kΩ
130 Ω
230 µA
VSS
1IF
9
VDD
OUT
VSS
2.5IF Limiting Amplifier with RSSI
2.4MIXER1 and IF Preamp
MIXER1 performs down-conversion of the RF signal to
the Intermediate Frequency (IF) and is followed by an
The IF Limiting Amplifier amplifies and limits the IF
signal at the 2IF
IN pin (Pin 11). It also generates the
Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal
(Pin 21).
IF preamplifier.
IN (Pin 4) has an approximately 33 Ω single-ended
1IF
input impedance. The 1IF
IN pin is illustrated in Figure 2-
4.
2.5.1IF LIMITING AMPLIFIER
Magnitude control circuitry is used in the last stage of
the receiver to keep the signal constant for demodulation. It can consist of a limiting or Automatic Gain
Control (AGC) amplifier. A limiting amplifier is
DS70090A-page 6Preliminary 2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
rfRXD0420/0920
employed in this design because it can handle a larger
dynamic range while consuming less power with simple
circuitry than AGC circuitry.
The internal resistance of the 2IF
IN pin is approximately
2.2 kΩ. In order to terminate ceramic IF filters whose
output impedance is 330 Ω, a 390 Ω resistor can be
paralleled to the 2IF
IN and FBC2 pins.
FBC1 (Pin 12) and FBC2 (Pin 13) are connected to
external feedback capacitors.
The IF Limiting Amplifier pins are illustrated in
Figures 2-7 and 2-8.
FIGURE 2-7:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF IF
LIMITING AMPLIFIER INPUT
PINS
2IF
11
FBC2
13
VDD
IN
VSS
VDD
VSS
2.2 kΩ
2.2 kΩ
200 µA
Vss
VDD
FBC1
12
VSS
FIGURE 2-8:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF IF
LIMITING AMPLIFIER OUTPUT
PIN
VDD
VDD
OUT
2IF
15
VSS
40 µA
VSS
2.5.2RECEIVED SIGNAL STRENGTH
INDICATOR (RSSI)
The RSSI signal is proportional to the log of the signal
at 2IF
IN. The 2IFIN input RSSI range is approximately
40 µV to 160 mV. The slope of the RSSI output is
approximately 26 mV/dB of RF signal.
The RSSI output has an internal 36 kΩ resister to Vss
fed by a current source. This resistor converts the
RSSI current to voltage.
For Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) demodulation, RSSI
is compared to a reference voltage (static or dynamic).
Post detector filtering is easily implemented by
connecting a capacitor to ground from the RSSI pin
effectively creating an RC filter with the internal 36 kΩ
resistor.
For FSK and FM demodulation, the RSSI represents
the received signal strength of the incoming RF signal.
The RSSI pin is illustrated in Figure 2-9.
FIGURE 2-9:BLOCK DIAGRAM OF RSSI
PIN
VDD
RSSI
21
50 Ω
VSS
I (Pi)
36 kΩ
VSS
2.6Demodulator
The demodulator (DEMOD) section consists of a phase
detector (MIXER2) and amplifier creating a quadrature
detector (also known as a phase coincidence detector)
to demodulate the IF signal in FSK and FM modulation
applications. The quadrature detector provides all the
IF functions required for FSK and FM demodulation
with only a few external parts.
The in-phase signal comes directly from the output of
the IF limiting amplifier to MIXER2. The quadrature
signal is created by an external tuned circuit from the
output of the IF limiting amplifier (2IF
coupled to the MIXER2 DEM
impedance of the DEM
IN (Pin 16) input. The input
IN pin is approximately 47 kΩ.
The external tuned circuit can be constructed from simple inductor-capacitor (LC) components but will require
one of the elements to be tunable. A no-tune solution
can be constructed with a ceramic discriminator.
The output voltage of the DEMOD amplifier (DEMout+
and DEMout-, Pins 23 and 24) depends on the peak
deviation of the FSK or FM signal and the Q of the
external tuned circuit. DEMout+ and DEMout- are high
impedance outputs with only a 20 µA current capability.
The Demodulator pins are illustrated in Figures 2-10
and 2-11.
The internal operational amplifier (OPA) can be
configured as a comparator for ASK or FSK or as a filter
for FM modulation applications.
The Op Amp pins are illustrated in Figures 2-12 and
2-13.
FIGURE 2-12: BLOCK DIAGRAM OF OP AMP
INPUT PINS
VDD
VDDVDD
OPA-
19
50 Ω50 Ω
VSSVSS
20 µA
OPA+
20
FIGURE 2-13: BLOCK DIAGRAM OF OP AMP
OUTPUT PIN
VDD
OPA
18
VSS
VDD
50 Ω
VSS
DS70090A-page 8Preliminary 2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
rfRXD0420/0920
)
3.0APPLICATION CIRCUITS
This section provides general information on application circuits for the rfRXD0420/0920 receiver. The
following connections and external components
provide starting points for designs and list the minimum
circuitry recommended for general purpose
applications.
Performance of the radio system (transmitter and
receiver) is affected by component selection and the
environment in which it operates. Each system design
has its own unique requirements. Specifications for a
particular design requires careful analysis of the application and compromises for a practical implementation.
3.1General
This subsection lists connections and components that
are common between applications. The following
subsections give specific circuit connections and
components for ASK, FSK and FM applications.
3.1.1BYPASS CAPACITORS
Bypass capacitors should be placed as physically close
as possible to V
respectively. Additional bypassing and board level lowpass filtering of the power supply may be required
depending on the application.
3.1.2FREQUENCY PLANNING
The rfRXD0420/0920 receivers are single-conversion
superheterodyne architecture with a single IF
frequency. The receive frequency is set by the crystal
frequency (f
a majority of applications an external crystal is
connected to XTAL (Pin 26). Figure 3-1 illustrates an
example circuit with an optional trim capacitor.
FIGURE 3-1:XTAL EXAMPLE CIRCUIT
DD pins 8, 14, 17, 27 and 32
) and intermediate frequency (fif). For
XTAL
WITH OPTIONAL TRIM
CAPACITOR
XTAL
26
C TRIM
(OPTIONAL
X1
effect the trim capacitor has on the receive frequency
for the rfRXD0420 at 433.92 MHz. Keep in mind that
this graph represents one example circuit and the
actual results depends on the crystal and PCB layout.
FIGURE 3-2:RECEIVE FREQUENCY VS.
TRIM CAPACITANCE
434.10
434.05
434.00
433.95
433.90
433.85
433.80
Receive Frequency (MHz)
433.75
82 pF
0 ohms
68 pF
56 pF
47 pF
Trim Capacitor (pF)
39 pF
33 pF
27 pF
22 pF
18 pF
15 pF
12 pF
10 pF
5 pF
Note that a 0 Ω resistor, in the lower left of the graph,
represents an infinite capacitance. This will be the
lowest frequency obtainable for the crystal and PCB
combination.
Calculation of the crystal frequency requires knowledge of the receive frequency (f
frequency (f
). Figure 3-3 is a worksheet to assist the
if
) and intermediate
rf
designer in calculating the crystal frequency. Table 3-1
lists crystal frequencies for popular receive frequencies. Table 3-2 lists crystal parameters required for
ordering crystals. For background information on
crystal selection see Application Note AN826, Crystal
Oscillator Basics and Crystal Selection for rfPIC
PICmicro
®
Devices.
TM
and
TABLE 3-1: CRYSTAL FREQUENCIES FOR
POPULAR RECEIVE
FREQUENCIES
Receive
Frequency
rfRXD0420
315 MHz20.35625 MHz
433.92 MHz26.45125 MHz
rfRXD0920
868.3 MHz26.8 MHz
915 MHz28.259375 MHz
(1) Low-side injection (2) High-side injection
Crystal
Frequency
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
TABLE 3-2: CRYSTAL PARAMETERS
ParameterValue
The crystal load capacitance should be specified to
include the internal load capacitance of the XTAL pin of
15 pF plus PCB stray capacitance (approximately 2 to
3 pF). A trim capacitor can be used to trim the crystal
on frequency within the limitations of the crystal’s trim
sensitivity and pullability. Figure 3-2 illustrates the