Atmel's Fully Programmable, Ultra Low Power RF Transmitter IC Boosts Flexibility...

Atmel's Fully Programmable, Ultra Low Power RF Transmitter IC Boosts
Flexibility for Car Access and TPMS Applications

SHANGHAI, China, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- China International Automotive
Electronics Show -- Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the
availability of the new fully integrated fractional-N PLL RF transmitter IC
ATA5749 for car access and TPMS applications. The new device is one of the
very few automotive RF transmitter ICs that is fully programmable, thus
enabling flexible system design and adaptation. Moreover, it is one of only a
few such devices with ultra low power consumption -- a significant factor for
TPMS applications. For both RKE and TPMS applications, a single crystal type
and a single board design (with only minor modifications) can be used for the
standard 315 MHz and 433 MHz frequency ranges.
The IC's single-ended antenna output power can be adjusted in the range of
-0.5 dBm to 12.5 dBm via an SPI bus interface. In each mode, the lowest
possible current consumption for a given output power can be selected. For
example, when used in a TPMS module, the active current consumption in
transmission mode at an output power of 5.5 dBm is 7.3 mA (typical) and 8.8 mA
(maximum). This is about 20% less than the values of currently available
solutions on the market. Lower current consumption, of course, results in a
longer battery lifetime, a critical factor for TPMS applications. Furthermore,
in extreme weather conditions, the battery lifetime is superior to comparable
products.
In the event of a change in system specifications, where the output power
needs to be adjusted, the current consumption of the ATA5749 can be optimized
accordingly. The active current consumption is scalable by output power
programming via SPI in 1-dB steps. This enables designers to fine tune system
performance, in particular, RF link budget versus battery lifetime.
In addition to output power adjustments, the SPI bus interface also
enables the programming of other key parameters such as output frequency, FSK
signal deviation, and CLK output frequency.
The ATA5749 operates at a maximum data rate of 40 kbit/s in FSK and ASK
mode using Manchester coding, and at an RF frequency in the range of 300 to
450 MHz. The IC incorporates a robust crystal oscillator with fast start-up
time of typically 200 us and a guaranteed parameter for negative resistance
oscillation margin of 1,500 Ohm. This results in high reliability and helps
avoid sleeping crystal issues. Only one 13.000000 MHz crystal type is needed
for the standard frequency ranges 314.1 to 329.5 MHz and 424.5 to 439.9 MHz,
resulting in nearly identical hardware board design for the regional RF
modules, lower inventory costs, and reduced part number proliferation.
Availability and Pricing
Samples of the ATA5749 RF transmitter IC are available now in
small-outline TSSOP10 packages. Pricing starts at US $1.25 for 10k-piece
quantities. A demonstration board for development support is also available.
Footnote
ASK = Amplitude Shift Keying
CLK = Clock
FSK = Frequency Shift Keying
PLL = Phase Locked Loop
RKE = Remote Keyless Entry
SPI = Serial Parallel Interface
TPMS = Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

About Atmel
Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio
frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest
intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the
electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer,
industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.
(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo and
combinations thereof, and others are registered trademarks, or trademarks of
Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be
trademarks of others.
Information
Product information on Atmel's new PLL RF transmitter IC ATA5749 may be
retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4328
Press Contacts
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products
Phone: +49 7131 67-2081, Email: susanne.van-clewe@atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Phone: +1 408 487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

SOURCE Atmel Corporation

Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive Products,
+49 7131 67-2081, susanne.van-clewe@atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos, Public
Relations, +1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com, both of Atmel Corporation