Sub-GHz wireless transceiver targets smart metering market in China

Designed for the smart metering market in China, the Si4438 EZRadioPRO IC is claimed to maximize wireless range and battery life while reducing BOM cost by 30% for smart meters. Specified for the 425 to 525 MHz ISM band, the Si4438 transceiver also provides an ideal sub-GHz wireless solution for in-home energy management systems and other smart grid infrastructure applications such as long-range back-haul communications to utilities.

Featuring an efficient on-chip PA, the IC provides extended range and robust communication links for smart metering by delivering a transmit output power of 20 dBm, a sensitivity of -124 dBm, a link budget of 144 dB, and adjacent channel rejection of 58 dB. It also features  built-in antenna diversity and support for frequency hopping. The part's 50-nA sleep/standby current (with register retention) is  claimed to be 40x lower than competing transceivers in the China market. From its 50 nA sleep mode, the Si4438 transceiver can transition to either receive or transmit mode in only 450 µs.

It also offers an active mode transmit current consumption of 75 mA at +20 dBm and active receive current consumption of 14 mA. Housed in a 4 x 4 mm package, the device also features integrated temperature sensor, power-on-reset and GPIOs.($2.03 ea/10,000; 4438-490-PDK, $299 – available now)