SX1231H
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ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS & SENSING DATASHEET
SX1231H Transceiver
Low Power Integrated UHF Transceiver with On-Chip +20dBm PA
Rev 1 - Oct 2011
The SX1231H is a highly integrated RF transceiver capable
of operation over a wide frequency range, including the 433,
868 and 915 MHz license-free ISM (Industry Scientific and
Medical) frequency bands. Its highly integrated architecture
allows for a minimum of external components whilst
maintaining maximum design flexibility. All major RF
communication parameters are programmable and most of
them can be dynamically set. The SX1231H offers the
unique advantage of programmable narrow-band and wide-
band communication modes without the need to modify
external components. The SX1231H is optimized for low
power consumption while offering high RF output power and
channelized operation. TrueRFâ„¢ technology enables a low-
cost external component count (elimination of the SAW
filter) whilst still satisfying ETSI and FCC regulations.
î‚Š Automated Meter Reading
î‚Š Wireless Sensor Networks
î‚Š Home and Building Automation
î‚Š Wireless Alarm and Security Systems
î‚Š Industrial Monitoring and Control
î‚Š Wireless M-BUS
î‚Š Europe: EN 300-220-1
î‚Š North America: FCC Part 15.247, 15.249, 15.231
î‚Š +20 dBm - 100 mW Power Output Capability
î‚Š High Sensitivity: down to -120 dBm at 1.2 kbps
î‚Š High Selectivity: 16-tap FIR Channel Filter
î‚Š Bullet-proof front end: IIP3 = -18 dBm, IIP2 = +35 dBm,
80 dB Blocking Immunity, no Image Frequency response
î‚Š Low current: Rx = 16 mA, 100nA register retention
î‚Š Programmable Pout: -18 to +20 dBm in 1dB steps
î‚Š Constant RF performance over voltage range of chip
î‚Š FSK Bit rates up to 300 kb/s
î‚Š Fully integrated synthesizer with a resolution of 61 Hz
î‚Š FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK and OOK modulations
î‚Š Built-in Bit Synchronizer performing Clock Recovery
î‚Š Incoming Sync Word Recognition
î‚Š 115 dB+ Dynamic Range RSSI
î‚Š Automatic RF Sense with ultra-fast AFC
î‚Š Packet engine with CRC-16, AES-128, 66-byte FIFO
î‚Š Built-in temperature sensor
 QFN 24 Package - Operating Range [-40;+85°C]
î‚Š Pb-free, Halogen free, RoHS/WEEE compliant product
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
APPLICATIONS
MARKETS
KEY PRODUCT FEATURES
ORDERING INFORMATION
Part Number Delivery MOQ / Multiple
SX1231HIMLTRT Tape & Reel
3000 pieces
LNA
Single to
Differential
Mixers
Σ/Δ
Modulators
Decimation and
& Filtering
Demodulator &
Bit Synchronizer
Interpolation
& Filtering
Modulator
Packet Engine & 66 Bytes FIFO
Control Registers - Shift Registers - SPI Interface
SPI
DIO0
RSSI AFC
Division by
2, 4 or 6
Frac-N PLL
Synthesizer
XO
32 MHz
XTAL
PA0
PA1&2
Tank
Inductor
Loop
Filter
RFIO
PA_BOOST
RESET
Power Distribution System
VBAT1&2 VR_ANA VR_DIG
VR_PA
Ramp &
Control
RC
Oscillator
GND
RXTX
GND
DIO1
DIO2
DIO3
DIO4
DIO5
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SX1231H
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS & SENSING
DATASHEET
Rev 1 - Oct 2011
Table of Contents Page
1. General Description ................................................................................................................................................ 8
1.1. Simplified Block Diagram ................................................................................................................................ 8
1.2. Pin and Marking Diagram................................................................................................................................ 9
1.3. Pin Description .............................................................................................................................................. 10
2. Electrical Characteristics....................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1. ESD Notice.................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.2. Absolute Maximum Ratings .......................................................................................................................... 11
2.3. Operating Range........................................................................................................................................... 11
2.4. Chip Specification ......................................................................................................................................... 12
2.4.1. Power Consumption ................................................................................................................................. 12
2.4.2. Frequency Synthesis ................................................................................................................................ 12
2.4.3. Receiver ................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.4.4. Transmitter ............................................................................................................................................... 14
2.4.5. Digital Specification ...................................................................................................................................15
3. Chip Description.................................................................................................................................................... 16
3.1. Power Supply Strategy.................................................................................................................................. 16
3.2. Frequency Synthesis..................................................................................................................................... 16
3.2.1. Reference Oscillator ................................................................................................................................. 16
3.2.2. CLKOUT Output ........................................................................................................................................17
3.2.3. PLL Architecture ....................................................................................................................................... 17
3.2.4. Lock Time .................................................................................................................................................. 18
3.2.5. Lock Detect Indicator................................................................................................................................ 18
3.3. Transmitter Description ................................................................................................................................. 19
3.3.1. Architecture Description ........................................................................................................................... 19
3.3.2. Bit Rate Setting ........................................................................................................................................ 19
3.3.3. FSK Modulation ........................................................................................................................................ 20
3.3.4. OOK Modulation....................................................................................................................................... 20
3.3.5. Modulation Shaping.................................................................................................................................. 21
3.3.6. Power Amplifiers ...................................................................................................................................... 21
3.3.7. High Power Settings ..................................................................................................................................22
3.3.8. Output Power Summary ........................................................................................................................... 22
3.3.9. Over Current Protection ........................................................................................................................... 22
3.4. Receiver Description ..................................................................................................................................... 23
3.4.1. Block Diagram .......................................................................................................................................... 23
3.4.2. LNA - Single to Differential Buffer ............................................................................................................ 23
3.4.3. Automatic Gain Control ............................................................................................................................ 24
3.4.4. Continuous-Time DAGC........................................................................................................................... 25
3.4.5. Quadrature Mixer - ADCs - Decimators.................................................................................................... 26
3.4.6. Channel Filter ........................................................................................................................................... 26
3.4.7. DC Cancellation ....................................................................................................................................... 27