Next-generation Si446x EZRadioPRO transceiver,
Maximizing wireless range and extending battery life for wireless applications

February 21, 2012 – Silicon Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB, Country Manager Jong-Chan Lee), a global leader in high-performance analog-intensive mixed-signal ICs, today announced the industry's best-in-class, lowest-power sub-GHz transceivers designed to maximize wireless range and battery life for wireless systems. Combining outstanding RF performance with ultra-low power features, the Si446x EZRadioPRO® transceiver family is ideal for a wide range of wireless applications, including smart meters, security, home automation systems, industrial control systems, sensor networks, and electronic price tags.

The new EZRadioPRO Si446x transceiver family is a cost-effective solution that delivers industry-leading RF performance to extend wireless range and comply with the industry's most stringent narrowband regulatory standards. These transceivers extend the wireless range of wireless applications through best-in-class performance specifications in output transmission (+20dBm), sensitivity (-126dBm), link budget (146dB), and RX adjacent channel sensitivity (58dB). The Si446x transceivers also feature a patented antenna diversification algorithm designed to counter multipath and fading effects, effectively doubling wireless range in multipath and fading environments.

Designed to cover continuous frequencies from 119 to 1050 MHz, the new Si446x transceivers support data rates of up to 1 Mbps (4GFSK) as well as many advanced modulation technologies, including 4GFSK, (G)FSK, GMSK, and OOK. These products support the 802.15.4 d/g standard and the Wireless M-Bus protocol for smart utility networks. Featuring excellent phase noise, sensitivity, and blocking specifications, the Si446x transceivers are a highly suitable solution for modern narrowband applications requiring compliance with FCC Part 90 Mask D, ARIB STD-T96/T67, and ETSI EN 300. Targeting the European market, the Si446x products are the first transceivers to provide extended frequency coverage for emerging narrowband applications, such as the 138 MHz and 169 MHz bands, as well as the 151 MHz Universal Wireless Services (MURS) band in the United States.

The industry-leading power efficiency of the Si446x family maximizes battery life for power-sensitive wireless applications, allowing for reduced battery replacement frequency or smaller battery size while maintaining the same battery life. Si446x transceivers achieve a power-saving/standby current of 50nA with resistor preservation, consuming 75% less current in sleep mode compared to competing solutions. The Si446x family also consumes incomparably low levels of power in TX and RX modes. Coin cell battery applications can achieve low transmit current specifications of approximately 17mA at +10dBm, while high-performance applications can achieve 85mA at +20dBm. These transceivers feature extremely low receive current specifications in high-performance receive mode (13mA) and low-current receive mode (13mA), outperforming most competitors in low-power operation.

"Silicon Labs' Si446x family has taken sub-GHz wireless technology to a new level in terms of narrowband performance and power efficiency," said Mark Thompson, Vice President and Head of Embedded Mixed-Signal Products at Silicon Labs. "By achieving 50nA in sleep mode for the first time and setting a new milestone in ultra-low power operation for wireless transceivers, Silicon Labs has made the Si446x transceiver an ideal solution for battery-powered and green energy applications."

Rich wireless development environment
Silicon Labs’ comprehensive development environment for the Si446x family includes a wireless development kit based on Silicon Labs’ modular Unified Development Platform (UDP). Along with two base boards and two RF test cards, UDP provides a standalone evaluation and software development platform for EZRadioPRO devices. Silicon Labs’ Wireless Development Suite (WDS) software enables developers to quickly and easily build powerful yet cost-effective wireless applications, even without specialized RF design or measurement experience. Silicon Labs also provides EZMac, embedded media access control software that supports developers in building cost-effective mesh networks with fewer than 128 nodes.

Silicon Labs has been developing strategic relationships with key suppliers targeting the global smart meter market. Silicon Labs and several wireless development partners have been developing joint reference designs and test cards for smart meters to enable designers to support applications requiring up to +30dBm output while lowering development costs and time-to-market.