The MICRF002, an enhanced version of the MICRF001 and MICRF011,
is a single chip OOK (ON-OFF Keyed) Receiver IC for remote wireless
applications, employing Micrel’s latest QwikRadiotm technology. This
device is a true “antenna-in, data-out” monolithic device. All RF and IF
tuning is accomplished automatically within the IC, which eliminates
manual tuning and reduces production costs. Receiver functions are
completely integrated. The result is a highly reliable yet extremely low
cost solution for high volume wireless applications. Because the
MICRF002 is a true single-chip radio receiver, it is extremely easy to
apply, minimizing design and production costs, and improving time to
market.
The MICRF002 provides two fundamental modes of operation, FIXED
and SWP. In FIXED mode, the device functions like a conventional
superheterodyne receiver, with an (internal) local oscillator fixed at a
single frequency based on an external reference crystal or clock. As with
any conventional superheterodyne receiver, the transmit frequency must
be accurately controlled, generally with a crystal or SAW (Surface
Acoustic Wave) resonator.
In SWP mode, the MICRF002 sweeps the (internal) local oscillator at
rates greater than the baseband data rate. This effectively “broadens”
the RF bandwidth of the receiver to a value equivalent to conventional
super-regenerative receivers. Thus the MICRF002 can operate with less
expensive LC transmitters without additional components or tuning, even
though the receiver topology is still superheterodyne. In this mode the
reference crystal can be replaced with a less expensive ± 0.5% ceramic
resonator.