Anaheim, Calif. — RF Micro Devices, Inc. has introduced the highly integrated RF6525 front end module (FEM) that meets or exceeds the system requirements of ZigBee applications operating in the 2.4 GHz – 2.5 GHz frequency band. The RF6525 FEM supports multiple applications, including smart energy/advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), home area network (HAN), wireless ZigBee home automation, portable battery-powered equipment, and general 2.4-GHz ISM band systems.
RFMD also offers the RF6525/EM357 reference design, developed in collaboration with Ember Corp. to accelerate time to market.
The RF6525 integrates a +20 dBm PA with a Tx harmonic output filter in the transmit path, and a low noise amplifier (LNA) with bypass mode in the receive path. The RF6525 also includes a low insertion loss, high isolation, double-pole double-throw (DPDT) diversity transfer switch and a two-port 50 ohm Rx/Tx integrated balun that simplifies matching and provides balanced input and output signals for both the Tx and Rx paths, said RFMD.
The RF6525 is suitable for ZigBee systems operating with high-efficiency requirements and a minimum output power of 20 dBm. In the receive path, the Rx chain provides 11.5 dB of typical gain with only 7 mA of current and an excellent noise figure of 2.5 dB, said RFMD. The high level of integration and small form factor (3.5 x 3.5 x 0.5mm) minimize end customer product footprint and reduce assembly costs and external discrete component count, according to the company.
The complete reference design approach, pairing RFMD’s RF6525 FEM with Ember’s EM357, shortens customer design time and accelerates time-to-market, said RFMD.
Availability: Samples and pre-production quantities of the RF6525 are immediately available with volume shipments expected to begin in June.
Pricing: The RF6525 is priced at $1.69 in quantities of 10,000.