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To offer a complete solution for ZigBee applications, Microchip Technology has developed a new 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver for the ZigBee protocol. It is being offered as part of its ZigBee protocol platform. Earlier, the supplier was addressing the needs of this application with the only zero-cost-license and royalty-free ZigBee protocol stack for a broad portfolio of compatible PIC microcontrollers. With the highly integrated MRF24J40 transceiver, it is now offering a complete ZigBee development platform.

In addition, to enable development of ZigBee protocol systems using its chips, the company has developed a wireless network analyzer called the ZENA. Finally, for those who do not need ZigBee protocol interoperability but would like to use IEEE 802.15.4 transceivers in low-cost peer-to-peer, star and mesh networks, it is offering MiWi protocol. In fact, the MiWi protocol provides the lowest-cost fully functional network protocol for IEEE 802.15.4 transceivers, according to Microchip.

Based on 0.18 µm RF CMOS process technology, the MRF24J40 transceiver offers many unique features, which include automatic packet retransmit capability; advanced encryption standard (AES) hardware encryption engine; supports in-line or stand-alone modes for encryption and decryption; sharing a 20 MHz reference clock with MCU; and low-power consumption — typical 18 mA in Rx mode and 22 mA in Tx mode. However, the part is being characterized for maximum power consumption over the operating temperature range.

Other features include a four-wire SPI interface, integrated 20 MHz and 32.768 kHz oscillator drive, -95 dBm typical sensitivity, 0 dBm typical output power and 40 dB Tx power control range, power saving modes, differential RF input/output, integrated Tx/Tx switch, low phase noise VCO, frequency synthesizer and PLL loop filter (see figure). In addition, it offers digital VCO and filter calibration, RSSI analog-to-digital converter and I/Q digital-to-analog converters, LDO and high receiver and RSSI dynamic range. Plus, it supports both ZigBee and MiWi protocols.

The fact that the ZigBee protocol has grown too large and complex for many applications, a large percentage of the market for IEEE 802.15.4 wireless personal area networking (PAN) is likely to use alternative, proprietary protocols, such as the MiWi protocol, according to Microchip. Additionally, ZigBee protocol certification is costly and cumbersome for small- and medium-size companies. Consequently, as per Microchip's product and strategic marketing manager, Kobus Marneweck, MiWi protocol provides a simpler, lower-cost solution for customers who do not need interoperability but still want to use robust IEEE 802.15.4 radios. No certification is required for MiWi protocol systems, and the protocol stack is provided under a free license, when the combination of Microchip's microcontrollers and MRF24J40 transceiver is used.

“The MiWi protocol addresses the market need for a protocol that is simpler and lower cost to implement than the ZigBee protocol. Microchip recognized this need and developed the MiWi protocol for smaller networks that can be implemented on lower-cost 8-bit microcontrollers,” noted Marneweck.

Microchip's new ZENA wireless network analyzer tool (part number DM183023) is available for $129.99. It uses a simple graphical interface to configure the free Microchip ZigBee and MiWi protocol stacks. This enables customers to reduce the code size of the stacks by removing optional features; cuts development time by simplifying the interactions with the stacks; and allows customization of the stack to fit a particular need. Consisting of hardware and software, the ZENA wireless network analyzer is an IEEE 802.15.4 protocol analyzer that is capable of decoding ZigBee and MiWi protocol packets — from the lowest layers to the top of the stack (including the security modules). The network-configuration display window allows users to see the traffic in real time, as it travels from one node to another. A session can also be saved to a file, to allow further analysis of all the network traffic.

This augments Microchip's existing IEEE 802.15.4 development tools, including the $269.99 PICDEM Z 2.4 GHz demonstration kit (part number DM163027-4). The kit includes all of the hardware, software source code and printed circuit board (PCB) layout files needed to rapidly prototype wireless products. Sampling now, the MRF24J40 transceiver is expected to go into production next month. In 10,000-unit quantities, it starts at $2.99 each in Pb-free/RoHS-compliant, 40-pin, 6 × 6 mm QFN package.Microchip Technology
(888) 628-6247
www.microchip.com/zigbee

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