Microchip Expands Wireless Products With ISM Band, Sub-GHz Transceiver Radio

Publication date on this website: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Company: Microchip Technology
Category: Press Releases : Active Components

Summary:
Key Facts:
• Cost effective bi-directional short-range radio module operates in license-free sub-GHz frequencies
• Extends Microchip´s expertise and product offering beyond IEEE802.15.4/ZigBee®
• Easily integrated using free software and any of Microchip´s 8-, 16- or 32-bit microcontrollers

Full Text:
Microchip announces the expansion of its RF Products Division wireless portfolio with the new MRF49XA Sub-GHz transceiver radio. The MRF49XA covers the 434/868/915MHz unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) Radio Frequency (RF) band, which is ideal for low data-rate, low-power embedded wireless applications. By retaining compatibility with its existing suite of development tools, Microchip makes it easy to integrate this new Sub-GHz transceiver with any 8-, 16- or 32-bit PIC® microcontroller, enabling cost-effective designs for a wide range of, bi-directional, short-range wireless applications, such as remote controls, remote meter reading and home security/alarms.

The new MRF49XA transceiver is a great addition to Microchip´s current rfPIC® family of sub-GHz solutions and expands its overall wireless portfolio beyond the 2.4GHz IEEE802.15.4/ZigBee® products. The MRF49XA transceiver radio is available on a PICtail™/PICtail Plus daughter board for easy integration with the 8-bit PIC18 Explorer and 16/32-bit Explorer 16 modular microcontroller development boards. The 434MHz Daughter Board (part number AC164137-1, $39.99 for a two-pack) and 868/915MHz Daughter Board (part number AC164137-2, $39.99 for a two-pack) are both available today at www.microchipDIRECT.com.

Microchip´s full suite of world-class development tools further enables easy integration of the MRF49XA transceiver radio with more than 550 PIC® microcontrollers. Available tools include the free MPLAB® IDE integrated development environment, the MPLAB REAL ICE™ emulation system, the MPLAB ICD 3 in-circuit debugger, the PICkit™ 3 low-cost debugger/programmer and Microchip´s free C compilers. For additional information visit Microchip´s online Wireless Design Centre at www.microchip.com/Wireless.

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Contact:
Supporting photographs supplied
For further information, please contact:

David Wright, Microchip Technology.
Tel: +44 118 921 5858
E-mail: david.wright@microchip.com

Suzy Kenyon, Napier Partnership.
Tel: +44 1243 531123
E-mail: suzy@napier.co.uk

MC923uk

Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, rfPIC, and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. PICtail, PICkit, and REAL ICE are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.