RXM-433-LC-S

TXM-315-LC TXM-418-LC TXM-433-LC WIRELESS MADE SIMPLE ® LC SERIES TRANSMITTER MODULE DATA GUIDE DESCRIPTION The LC Series is ideally suited for volume use in OEM applications such as remote control, security, identification, and periodic data transfer. Housed in a compact surface-mount package, the LC Series transmitter utilizes a highly-optimized SAW architecture to achieve an unmatched blend of performance, size, efficiency, and cost. When paired with a matching LR Series receiver, a highly reliable wireless link is formed, capable of transferring serial data at distances of up to 3,000 feet. No external RF components are required (except an antenna), making design and integration straightforward, even for engineers without previous RF experience. 0.360" RF MODULE TXM-418-LC LOT 2000 0.500" 0.150" Max. Figure 1: Package Dimensions FEATURES n Low cost n No external RF components required n Ultra-low power consumption n Compact surface-mount package n Stable SAW-based architecture n Supports data rates to 5,000bps n Wide supply range (2.7 to 5.2VDC) n Direct serial interface n Low harmonics n No production tuning APPLICATIONS INCLUDE n n n n n n n n n n n n Remote Control Keyless Entry Garage / Gate Openers Lighting Control Medical Monitoring / Call Systems Remote Industrial Monitoring Periodic Data Transfer Home / Industrial Automation Fire / Security Alarms Remote Status Sensing Long-Range RFID Wire Elimination ORDERING INFORMATION PART # DESCRIPTION TXM-315-LC Transmitter 315MHz TXM-418-LC Transmitter 418MHz TXM-433-LC Transmitter 433MHz RXM-315-LR Receiver 315MHz RXM-418-LR Receiver 418MHz RXM-433-LR Receiver 433MHz EVAL-***-LC Basic Evaluation Kit *** = Frequency Transmitters are supplied in tubes of 50 pcs. Revised 2/24/09 Parameter PERFORMANCE DATA Designation Min. Typical Max. Units Notes VCC 2.7 – 5.2 VDC – Supply Current ICC – 3.0 6.0 mA 1,4 Power-down Current IPDN – – 1.5 µA 2 TXM-315-LC – 315 – MHz – TXM-418-LC – 418 – MHz – TXM-433-LC – 433.92 – MHz – – -75 – +75 kHz – Output Power Po -4 0 +4 dBm 3 Harmonic Emissions PH – – -36 dBc 3 – 100 – 5,000 bps – Logic Low VIL 0.0 – 0.4 VDC – Logic High VIH 2.5 – Vcc VDC – ROUT – 50 – Ω 5 These performance parameters are based on module operation at 25°C from a 3.3VDC supply unless otherwise noted. Figure 2 illustrates the connections necessary for testing and operation. It is recommended all ground pins be connected to the ground plane. POWER SUPPLY Operating Voltage TRANSMITTER SECTION Center Frequency Accuracy Data Rate FC Data Input: ANTENNA PORT RF Output Impedance TIMING Transmitter Turn-On Time – – 30 80 µSec 5 Transmitter Turn-Off Time – – – 100 nSec 5 – -30 – +70 °C 5 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 2.5 Current draw with DATA pin held continuously high. Current draw with DATA pin low. RF out connected to a 50Ω load. LADJ through 430Ω resistor. Characterized, but not tested. 2.5 Supply Voltage VCC Any Input or Output Pin Operating Temperature Storage Temperature Soldering Temperature 3.5 4.0 4.5 Supply Voltage (V) 5.0 With LADJ tied to ground With 430Ω resistor on LADJ Figure 4: Output Power vs. Supply Voltage Data -0.3 -0.3 -30 -45 +225°C Carrier Carrier to +6.0 to VCC to +70 to +85 for 10 seconds VDC VDC °C °C *NOTE* Exceeding any of the limits of this section may lead to permanent damage to the device. Furthermore, extended operation at these maximum ratings may reduce the life of this device. *CAUTION* 3.0 Data ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS This product incorporates numerous static-sensitive components. Always wear an ESD wrist strap and observe proper ESD handling procedures when working with this device. Failure to observe this precaution may result in module damage or failure. Page 2 5.0 Figure 3: Current vs. Supply Voltage Figure 5: Typical Oscillator Turn-On Time Output Power (dBm) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Supply Voltage (V) +8 +7 +6 +5 +4 +3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 With LADJ tied to ground With 430Ω resistor on LADJ Table 1: LC Series Transmitter Specifications Notes 8 7 6 5 TYPICAL PERFORMANCE GRAPHS ENVIRONMENTAL Operating Temperature Range GND GND DATA VCC GND GND LADJ/GND ANT Figure 2: Test / Basic Application Circuit Supply Current (mA) Transmit Frequency: VCC 1 2 3 4 Output Power (dBm) ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS +8 +7 +6 +5 +4 +3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 Figure 6: Typical Oscillator Turn-Off Time 5V 3V 51 100 150 200 240 300 360 430 510 560 620 680 750 820 910 1.1K LADJ Resistor Value (Ω) Figure 7: Output Power vs. LADJ Resistor Page 3 PIN ASSIGNMENTS MODULE DESCRIPTION GND GND DATA VCC GND GND LADJ/GND ANT 1 2 3 4 8 7 6 5 Figure 8: LC Series Transmitter Pinout (Top View) The LC Series transmitter is a low-cost, high-performance Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) based Carrier-Present Carrier-Absent (CPCA) transmitter capable of sending serial data at up to 5,000bps. The LC’s compact surface-mount package integrates easily into existing designs and is equally friendly to prototype and volume production. The LC’s ultra-low power consumption makes it ideally suited for battery-powered products. When combined with a Linx LC or LR Series receiver, a reliable RF link is formed, capable of transferring data over line-of-sight distances in excess of 300 feet (with the LC Series receiver) or up to 3,000 feet (with the LR Series receiver). 50Ω RF OUT (ANT) SAW Oscillator Vcc Data In 300-5,000bps Keyed Output PIN DESCRIPTIONS Pin # Name Description 1 GND Analog Ground 2 DATA Digital Data Input 3 GND Analog Ground 4 LADJ/GND Level Adjust. This line can be used to adjust the output power level of the transmitter. Connecting to ground will give the highest output, while placing a resistor to ground will lower the output level (see Figure 7 on Page 3). 5 ANT 50-ohm RF Output 6 GND Analog Ground 1) Cost-effectiveness due to design simplicity. 7 VCC Supply Voltage 2) No minimum data rate or mark / space ratio requirement. 6 GND Analog Ground Output Isolation & Filter RF Amplifier Figure 9: LC Series Transmitter Block Diagram THEORY OF OPERATION The LC Series transmitter transmits data using Carrier-Present Carrier-Absent (CPCA) modulation. This type of AM modulation is often referred to by other designations, including Continuous Wave (CW) and On-Off Key (OOK). This type of modulation represents a logic low ‘0’ by the absence of a carrier and a logic high ‘1’ by the presence of a carrier. This method affords numerous benefits. Three of the most important are: 3) Higher output power and thus greater range in countries (such as the U.S.) where output power measurements are averaged over time. (Please refer to Linx Application Note AN-00130). The LC Series transmitter is based on a simple but highly optimized architecture that achieves a high fundamental output power with low harmonic content. This ensures that approval requirements can be met without external filter components. The LC Series transmitter is exceptionally stable over time, temperature, and physical shock as a result of the precision Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) frequency reference. Due to the accuracy of the SAW device, most of the output power is concentrated in a narrow bandwidth. This allows the receiver’s bandwidth to be quite narrow, thus increasing sensitivity and reducing susceptibility to near-band interference. The quality of components and overall architecture utilized in the LC Series is extraordinary in a low-cost RF device and is one reason the LC transmitter is able to outperform more expensive products. Page 4 Page 5 POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS A CMOS / TTL level data input is provided on Pin 2. This line is normally supplied with a serial bitstream input directly from a microprocessor, encoder, or UART. During standby, or the input of a logic low, the carrier is fully suppressed and the transmitter consumes less than 2µA of current. During a logic high, the transmitter generates a carrier to indicate to the receiver the presence of a logic ‘1’. The applied data should not exceed a rate of 5,000bps. The data input line should always be driven with a voltage common to the supply voltage present on Pin 7 (VCC) and should never be allowed to exceed the supply voltage. ADJUSTING THE OUTPUT POWER Depending on the type of antenna being used and the duty cycle of the data, the output power of the LC Series transmitter module may be higher than FCC regulations allow. The output power of the module is intentionally set high to compensate for losses resulting from inefficient antennas that may be used to realize cost or space savings. Since attenuation is often required, it is generally wise to provide for its implementation and allow the FCC test lab to easily attenuate the transmitter to the maximum legal limit for your product. Two methods of attenuation are available using the LC Series transmitter module. First, a resistor may be placed between Pin 4 (LADJ) and ground to achieve up to a 7dB reduction in output power. The resistor value is easily determined from Figure 7 on Page 3. Do not exceed the resistance values shown as transmitter instability may result. This method can also be used to reduce the transmission range and power consumption. Another method commonly used to achieve attenuation, particularly at higher levels, is the use of a T-pad attenuator. A T-pad is a network of three resistors that allows for variable attenuation while maintaining the correct match to the antenna. It is usually prudent to allow space for the addition of a T-pad. An example of a T-pad attenuator layout is shown in the figure below. For further details on T-pad attenuators, please refer to Application Note AN-00150. TYPICAL LAYOUT CIRCUIT WITH PROVISION FOR ATTENUATION ANT PADS FOR SMD RESISTORS R1 R1 R2 GROUND PLANE ON LOWER LAYER GROUND GND ANT OUT Figure 10: A T-Pad Attenuator Layout Example Page 6 ANT The module does not have an internal voltage regulator; therefore it requires a clean, well-regulated power source. While it is preferable to power the unit from a battery, the unit can also be operated from a power supply as long as noise is less than 20mV. Power supply noise can significantly Vcc TO affect the transmitter modulation; therefore, providing MODULE a clean power supply for the module should be a high 10Ω design priority. Vcc IN A 10Ω resistor in series with the supply followed by a 10µF tantalum capacitor from VCC to ground will help in cases where the quality of supply power is poor. These values may need to be adjusted depending on the noise present on the supply line. + THE DATA INPUT 10μF Figure 11: Supply Filter TRANSMITTING DATA Once a reliable RF link has been established, the challenge becomes how to effectively transfer data across it. While a properly designed RF link provides reliable data transfer under most conditions, there are still distinct differences from a wired link that must be addressed. Since the LC Series modules do not incorporate internal encoding or decoding, a user has tremendous flexibility in how data is handled. If you want to transfer simple control or status signals, such as button presses or switch closures, and your product does not have a microprocessor on board, or you wish to avoid protocol development, consider using an encoder and decoder IC set. These chips are available from a range of manufacturers, including Linx. They take care of all encoding and decoding functions and generally provide a number of data pins to which switches can be directly connected. In addition, address bits are usually provided for security and to allow the addressing of multiple units independently. These ICs are an excellent way to bring basic remote control / status products to market quickly and inexpensively. Additionally, it is a simple task to interface with inexpensive microprocessors, such as the Microchip PIC, or one of many IR, remote control, or modem ICs. It is always important to separate what types of transmissions are technically possible from those that are legally allowable in the country of intended operation. While the LR Series is ideally suited to the long range transfer of control and command information, it can also be used with great success for the transfer of true variable data such as temperature, pressure, or sensor data. However, the 260 - 470MHz band in which the module operates is regulated by Part 15, Section 231 of the FCC regulations. Many types of transmissions, especially those involving automatic transmissions or variable data, may need to be periodic. You may wish to review Application Notes AN-00125 and AN-00140 along with Part 15, Section 231 of the FCC regulations for further details on acceptable transmission content in the Unites States. Another area of consideration is that of data structure or protocol. The data should be formatted in a predictable way and should be able to deal with errors due to interference. This will ensure that the data is received and interpreted correctly. If you are not familiar with the considerations for sending serial data in a wireless environment, you will want to review Application Note AN-00160. Page 7 PROTOCOL GUIDELINES While many RF solutions impose data formatting and balancing requirements, Linx RF modules do not encode or packetize the signal content in any manner. The received signal will be affected by such factors as noise, edge jitter, and interference, but it is not purposefully manipulated or altered by the modules. This gives the designer tremendous flexibility for protocol design and interface. Despite this transparency and ease of use, it must be recognized that there are distinct differences between a wired and a wireless environment. Issues such as interference and contention must be understood and allowed for in the design process. To learn more about protocol considerations, we suggest you read Linx Application Note AN-00160. TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The LC Series transmitter is ideal for the transmission of remote control / command data. One of the easiest way to transmit on / off data or switch closures is to use an encoder and decoder. These ICs provide a number of data lines that can be connected to switches or buttons or even a microcontroller. When a line is taken high on the encoder, a corresponding line will go high on the decoder as long as the address matches. The figure below shows an example using the Linx MS Series encoder. Errors from interference or changing signal conditions can cause corruption of the data packet, so it is generally wise to structure the data being sent into small packets. This allows errors to be managed without affecting large amounts of data. A simple checksum or CRC could be used for basic error detection. Once an error is detected, the protocol designer may wish to simply discard the corrupt data or implement a more sophisticated scheme to correct it. 750 100k 100k The RF spectrum is crowded and the potential for conflict with other unwanted sources of RF is very real. While all RF products are at risk from interference, its effects can be minimized by better understanding its characteristics. External interference can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Low-level interference will produce noise and hashing on the output and reduce the link’s overall range. High-level interference is caused by nearby products sharing the same frequency or from near-band high-power devices. It can even come from your own products if more than one transmitter is active in the same area. It is important to remember that only one transmitter at a time can occupy a frequency, regardless of the coding of the transmitted signal. This type of interference is less common than those mentioned previously, but in severe cases it can prevent all useful function of the affected device. Although technically it is not interference, multipath is also a factor to be understood. Multipath is a term used to refer to the signal cancellation effects that occur when RF waves arrive at the receiver in different phase relationships. This effect is a particularly significant factor in interior environments where objects provide many different signal reflection paths. Multipath cancellation results in lowered signal levels at the receiver and, thus, shorter useful distances for the link. Page 8 8 7 6 5 TXM-xxx-LC INTERFERENCE CONSIDERATIONS Interference may come from internal or external sources. The first step is to eliminate interference from noise sources on the board. This means paying careful attention to layout, grounding, filtering, and bypassing in order to eliminate all radiated and conducted interference paths. For many products, this is straightforward; however, products containing components such as switching power supplies, motors, crystals, and other potential sources of noise must be approached with care. Comparing your own design with a Linx evaluation board can help to determine if and at what level design-specific interference is present. 1 GND GND 2 DATA VCC 3 GND GND 4 LADJ/GND ANT 220 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 0 OPEN D6 D5 D7 D4 SEL_BAUD0 D3 SEL_BAUD1 D2 GND VCC GND VCC GND D1 TX_CNTL D0 DATA_OUT SEND MODE_IND CREATE_ADDR 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 100k 100k 100k 100k 100k 100k 220 100k LICAL-ENC-MS001 Figure 12: Typical Remote Control Example This circuit uses the LC Series transmitter and the MS Series encoder to transmit button presses. The MS Series has eight data lines, which are connected to buttons that will pull the line high when pressed. When not used, the lines are pulled low by 100kΩ resistors. The encoder will begin a transmission only when the SEND line is taken high. Diodes are used to pull this line high when any data line is pulled high while isolating the data lines from each other. The MS Series Encoder Data Guide explains this circuit and the many features of the encoder in detail, so please refer to that document for more information. A 750Ω resistor is used on the LADJ line of the transmitter to reduce the output power of the transmitter. This is appropriate for some antennas, but may need to be adjusted depending on the design. Typically, a resistor pad will be placed on the board and a potentiometer used by the FCC test lab to adjust the output power to the maximum legal limit. The potentiometer value would then be measured and the closest standard value resistor placed for final testing. If the level adjust resistor does not provide enough attenuation, a T-pad attenuator can be placed between the transmitter and antenna. This is a network of three resistors that will provide a set amount of attenuation while maintaining a 50Ω match between the antenna and the transmitter. Application Note AN-00150 gives the formulas for calculating the resistor values. If not needed, the series resistors can be zero ohms or shorted and the parallel one not placed. Page 9 BOARD LAYOUT GUIDELINES MICROSTRIP DETAILS If you are at all familiar with RF devices, you may be concerned about specialized board layout requirements. Fortunately, because of the care taken by Linx in designing the modules, integrating them is very straightforward. Despite this ease of application, it is still necessary to maintain respect for the RF stage and exercise appropriate care in layout and application in order to maximize performance and ensure reliable operation. The antenna can also be influenced by layout choices. Please review this data guide in its entirety prior to beginning your design. By adhering to good layout principles and observing some basic design rules, you will be on the path to RF success. The adjacent figure shows the suggested PCB footprint for the module. The actual pad dimensions are shown in the Pad Layout section of this manual. A ground plane (as large as possible) should be placed on a lower layer of your PC board opposite the module. This ground plane can also be critical to the performance of your antenna, which will be discussed later. There should not be any ground or traces under the module on the same layer as the module, just bare PCB. GROUND PLANE ON BOTTOM LAYER A transmission line is a medium whereby RF energy is transferred from one place to another with minimal loss. This is a critical factor, especially in highfrequency products like Linx RF modules, because the trace leading to the module’s antenna can effectively contribute to the length of the antenna, changing its resonant bandwidth. In order to minimize loss and detuning, some form of transmission line between the antenna and the module should be used, unless the antenna can be placed very close ( the overall length of the 1/4-wave PLANE VIRTUAL λ/4 radiating element. This is often not practical due to DIPOLE size and configuration constraints. In these instances, a designer must make the best use of the Figure 21: Dipole Antenna area available to create as much ground plane as possible in proximity to the base of the antenna. In cases where the antenna is remotely located or the antenna is not in close proximity to a circuit board, ground plane, or grounded metal case, a metal plate may be used to maximize the antenna’s performance. E λ/4 I λ/4 5. Remove the antenna as far as possible from potential interference sources. Any frequency of sufficient amplitude to enter the receiver’s front end will reduce system range and can even prevent reception entirely. Switching power supplies, oscillators, or even relays can also be significant sources of potential interference. The single best weapon against such problems is attention to placement and layout. Filter the module’s power supply with a high-frequency bypass capacitor. Place adequate ground plane under potential sources of noise to shunt noise to ground and prevent it from coupling to the RF stage. Shield noisy board areas whenever practical. 6. In some applications, it is advantageous to place the module and antenna away from the main equipment. This can avoid interference problems and allows the antenna to be oriented for optimum performance. Always use 50Ω coax, like RG-174, for the remote feed. CASE NUT GROUND PLANE (MAY BE NEEDED) Figure 22: Remote Ground Plane Page 15 COMMON ANTENNA STYLES ONLINE RESOURCES There are literally hundreds of antenna styles and variations that can be employed with Linx RF modules. Following is a brief discussion of the styles most commonly utilized. Additional antenna information can be found in Linx Application Notes AN-00100, AN-00140, and AN-00500. Linx antennas and connectors offer outstanding performance at a low price. Whip Style L= A whip-style antenna provides outstanding overall performance and stability. A low-cost whip is can be easily fabricated from a wire or rod, but most designers opt for the consistent performance and cosmetic appeal of a professionally-made model. To meet this need, Linx offers a wide variety of straight and reduced-height whip-style antennas in permanent and connectorized mounting styles. 234 F MHz Where: L = length in feet of quarter-wave length F = operating frequency in megahertz The wavelength of the operational frequency determines an antenna’s overall length. Since a full wavelength is often quite long, a partial 1/2- or 1/4-wave antenna is normally employed. Its size and natural radiation resistance make it well matched to Linx modules. The proper length for a straight 1/4-wave can be easily determined using the adjacent formula. It is also possible to reduce the overall height of the antenna by using a helical winding. This reduces the antenna’s bandwidth, but is a great way to minimize the antenna’s physical size for compact applications. This also means that the physical appearance is not always an indicator of the antenna’s frequency. Specialty Styles Loop Style Linx offers a wide variety of specialized antenna styles. Many of these styles utilize helical elements to reduce the overall antenna size while maintaining reasonable performance. A helical antenna’s bandwidth is often quite narrow and the antenna can detune in proximity to other objects, so care must be exercised in layout and placement. A loop- or trace-style antenna is normally printed directly on a product’s PCB. This makes it the most cost-effective of antenna styles. The element can be made self-resonant or externally resonated with discrete components, but its actual layout is usually product specific. Despite the cost advantages, loop-style antennas are generally inefficient and useful only for short-range applications. They are also very sensitive to changes in layout and PCB dielectric, which can cause consistency issues during production. In addition, printed styles are difficult to engineer, requiring the use of expensive equipment, including a network analyzer. An improperly designed loop will have a high SWR at the desired frequency, which can cause instability in the RF stage. Linx offers low-cost planar and chip antennas that mount directly to a product’s PCB. These tiny antennas do not require testing and provide excellent performance in light of their small size. They offer a preferable alternative to the often-problematic “printed” antenna. Page 16 ® www.linxtechnologies.com • Latest News • Data Guides • Application Notes • Knowledgebase • Software Updates If you have questions regarding any Linx product and have Internet access, make www.linxtechnologies.com your first stop. Our website is organized in an intuitive format to immediately give you the answers you need. Day or night, the Linx website gives you instant access to the latest information regarding the products and services of Linx. It’s all here: manual and software updates, application notes, a comprehensive knowledgebase, FCC information, and much more. Be sure to visit often! www.antennafactor.com The Antenna Factor division of Linx offers a diverse array of antenna styles, many of which are optimized for use with our RF modules. From innovative embeddable antennas to low-cost whips, domes to Yagis, and even GPS, Antenna Factor likely has an antenna for you, or can design one to meet your requirements. www.connectorcity.com Through its Connector City division, Linx offers a wide selection of high-quality RF connectors, including FCCcompliant types such as RP-SMAs that are an ideal match for our modules and antennas. Connector City focuses on high-volume OEM requirements, which allows standard and custom RF connectors to be offered at a remarkably low cost. Page 17 LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS NOTE: Linx RF modules are designed as component devices that require external components to function. The modules are intended to allow for full Part 15 compliance; however, they are not approved by the FCC or any other agency worldwide. The purchaser understands that approvals may be required prior to the sale or operation of the device, and agrees to utilize the component in keeping with all laws governing its use in the country of operation. When working with RF, a clear distinction must be made between what is technically possible and what is legally acceptable in the country where operation is intended. Many manufacturers have avoided incorporating RF into their products as a result of uncertainty and even fear of the approval and certification process. Here at Linx, our desire is not only to expedite the design process, but also to assist you in achieving a clear idea of what is involved in obtaining the necessary approvals to legally market your completed product. In the United States, the approval process is actually quite straightforward. The regulations governing RF devices and the enforcement of them are the responsibility of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The regulations are contained in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Title 47 is made up of numerous volumes; however, all regulations applicable to this module are contained in Volume 0-19. It is strongly recommended that a copy be obtained from the Government Printing Office in Washington or from your local government bookstore. Excerpts of applicable sections are included with Linx evaluation kits or may be obtained from the Linx Technologies website, www.linxtechnologies.com. In brief, these rules require that any device that intentionally radiates RF energy be approved, that is, tested for compliance and issued a unique identification number. This is a relatively painless process. Linx offers full EMC precompliance testing in our HP / Emco-equipped test center. Final compliance testing is then performed by one of the many independent testing laboratories across the country. Many labs can also provide other certifications that the product may require at the same time, such as UL, CLASS A / B, etc. Once your completed product has passed, you will be issued an ID number that is to be clearly placed on each product manufactured. Questions regarding interpretations of the Part 2 and Part 15 rules or measurement procedures used to test intentional radiators, such as Linx RF modules, for compliance with the technical standards of Part 15, should be addressed to: Federal Communications Commission Equipment Authorization Division Customer Service Branch, MS 1300F2 7435 Oakland Mills Road Columbia, MD 21046 Phone: (301) 725-1585 Fax: (301) 344-2050 E-Mail: labinfo@fcc.gov International approvals are slightly more complex, although Linx modules are designed to allow all international standards to be met. If you are considering the export of your product abroad, you should contact Linx Technologies to determine the specific suitability of the module to your application. All Linx modules are designed with the approval process in mind and thus much of the frustration that is typically experienced with a discrete design is eliminated. Approval is still dependent on many factors, such as the choice of antennas, correct use of the frequency selected, and physical packaging. While some extra cost and design effort are required to address these issues, the additional usefulness and profitability added to a product by RF makes the effort more than worthwhile. Page 18 ACHIEVING A SUCCESSFUL RF IMPLEMENTATION Adding an RF stage brings an exciting new dimension to any product. It also means that additional effort and commitment will be needed to bring the product successfully to market. By utilizing premade RF modules, such as the LR Series, the design and approval process is greatly simplified. It is still important, however, to have an objective view of the steps necessary to ensure a successful RF integration. Since the capabilities of each customer vary widely, it is difficult to recommend one particular design path, but most projects follow steps similar to those shown at the right. DECIDE TO UTILIZE RF RESEARCH RF OPTIONS ORDER EVALUATION KIT(S) TEST MODULE(S) WITH BASIC HOOKUP CHOOSE LINX MODULE INTERFACE TO CHOSEN CIRCUIT AND DEBUG CONSULT LINX REGARDING ANTENNA OPTIONS AND DESIGN LAY OUT BOARD In reviewing this sample design path, you may SEND PRODUCTION-READY PROTOTYPE TO LINX FOR EMC PRESCREENING notice that Linx offers a variety of services (such as antenna design and FCC prequalification) that are OPTIMIZE USING RF SUMMARY GENERATED BY LINX unusual for a high-volume component manufacturer. SEND TO PART 15 These services, along with an exceptional level of TEST FACILITY technical support, are offered because we recognize RECEIVE FCC ID # that RF is a complex science requiring the highest caliber of products and support. “Wireless Made COMMENCE SELLING PRODUCT Simple” is more than just a motto, it’s our Typical Steps For commitment. By choosing Linx as your RF partner Implementing RF and taking advantage of the resources we offer, you will not only survive implementing RF, you may even find the process enjoyable. HELPFUL APPLICATION NOTES FROM LINX It is not the intention of this manual to address in depth many of the issues that should be considered to ensure that the modules function correctly and deliver the maximum possible performance. As you proceed with your design, you may wish to obtain one or more of the following application notes, which address in depth key areas of RF design and application of Linx products. These applications notes are available online at www.linxtechnologies.com or by contacting the Linx literature department. NOTE APPLICATION NOTE TITLE AN-00100 RF 101: Information for the RF Challenged AN-00125 Considerations For Operation Within The 260-470MHz Band AN-00130 Modulation Techniques For Low-Cost RF Data Links AN-00140 The FCC Road: Part 15 From Concept To Approval AN-00150 Use and Design of T-Attenuation Pads AN-00160 Considerations For Sending Data Over a Wireless Link AN-00232 General Considerations For Sending Data With The LC Series AN-00500 Antennas: Design, Application, Performance Page 19 WIRELESS MADE SIMPLE ® U.S. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS LINX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 159 ORT LANE MERLIN, OR 97532 PHONE: (541) 471-6256 FAX: (541) 471-6251 www.linxtechnologies.com Disclaimer Linx Technologies is continually striving to improve the quality and function of its products. For this reason, we reserve the right to make changes to our products without notice. The information contained in this Overview Guide is believed to be accurate as of the time of publication. Specifications are based on representative lot samples. Values may vary from lot-to-lot and are not guaranteed. "Typical" parameters can and do vary over lots and application. Linx Technologies makes no guarantee, warranty, or representation regarding the suitability of any product for use in any specific application. It is the customer's responsibility to verify the suitability of the part for the intended application. NO LINX PRODUCT IS INTENDED FOR USE IN ANY APPLICATION WHERE THE SAFETY OF LIFE OR PROPERTY IS AT RISK. Linx Technologies DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LINX TECHNOLOGIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY OF CUSTOMER'S INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM ANY DEFECTIVE OR NON-CONFORMING PRODUCTS OR FOR ANY OTHER BREACH OF CONTRACT BY LINX TECHNOLOGIES. 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Under no conditions will Linx Technologies be responsible for losses arising from the use or failure of the device in any application, other than the repair, replacement, or refund limited to the original product purchase price. Devices described in this publication may contain proprietary, patented, or copyrighted techniques, components, or materials. Under no circumstances shall any user be conveyed any license or right to the use or ownership of such items. © 2009 by Linx Technologies, Inc. The stylized Linx logo, Linx, “Wireless Made Simple”, CipherLinx, and the stylized CL logo are the trademarks of Linx Technologies, Inc. Printed in U.S.A.