SX1230
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS & SENSING
DATASHEET
SX1230 - Integrated Transmitter IC
Narrow/wideband 315 MHz, 434 MHz 868 MHz and 915 MHz band Transmitter
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The SX1230 is a fully integrated transmitter which can
operate in the 315, 434, 868 and 915 MHz licence free ISM
bands.
The transmitter has two modes of operation, a conventional
MCU controlled mode and a ‘stand-alone’ mode which
enables the SX1230 to download configuration and
messages from an E
2
PROM in response to a user input.
Stand-alone mode makes the SX1230 ideal for miniaturized
or low cost remote keyless entry (RKE) applications. It also
offers the unique advantage of narrow-band and wide-band
communication in a range of modulation formats.
The SX1230 offers high RF output power and channelized
operation suited for the European (ETSI EN 300-220-1),
North American (FCC part 15.231, 15.247 and 15.249) and
Japanese (ARIB T-67) regulatory standards.
APPLICATIONS
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
Remote Control / Security Systems
Voice and Data RF Communication Links
Process and building / home control
Active RFID
AMR / AMI Platforms
KEY PRODUCT FEATURES
+17 dBm to -18 dBm Programmable output power.
Bit rates up to 600 kbits / sec.
FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK and OOK modulation.
Stand-alone mode: No need for a host MCU.
Consistent RF performance over a 1.8 to 3.7 V range.
Low phase noise (-95 dBc/Hz at 50 kHz) with automated
PLL calibration and fully integrated VCO and loop filter.
On chip RC timer for timer / wake-up applications.
Low battery detection.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Part Number
SX1230I066TRT
Temperature Range
-40 °C to +85 °C
Qty. per Reel
3000
Package
MLPQ-24 (4x4mm)
Pb-free, Halogen free, RoHS/WEEE compliant product
MLPQ-24 4x4mm Package - Operating Range [-40;+85°C]
ST0002_01_US
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SX1230,
Revision 4 December 2015
©2015 Semtech Corp.
1.
Page 1
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SX1230
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS & SENSING
Table of contents
Section
Page
DATASHEET
1.
General Description ..................................................................................................................................................4
1.1.
1.2.
Simplified Block Diagram ..................................................................................................................................4
Pin Diagram ......................................................................................................................................................5
1.3.
Pin Description............................................................................................................................................ .....6
2.
Electrical Characteristics ..........................................................................................................................................7
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
ESD Notice .......................................................................................................................................................7
Absolute Maximum Ratings ..............................................................................................................................7
Operating Range...............................................................................................................................................7
2.4.
Electrical Specifications....................................................................................................................................8
3.
Timing Characteristics ..............................................................................................................................................9
4.
Working Modes of the SX1230 ...............................................................................................................................10
4.1.
Operating Modes ............................................................................................................................................10
4.2.
Application Modes...........................................................................................................................................10
4.2.1. Stand Alone Mode .................................................................................................................................. 10
4.2.2. MCU Mode...............................................................................................................................................11
5.
Operation of the SX1230 ........................................................................................................................................12
5.1.
Main Parameters............................................................................................................................................ 12
5.1.1. Center Frequency ................................................................................................................................... 12
5.1.2. Frequency Deviation ............................................................................................................................... 12
5.1.3. Bit Rate ................................................................................................................................................... 12
5.2.
Synthesizer .................................................................................................................................................... 13
5.3.
The Power Amplifier....................................................................................................................................... 14
6.
Digital Control and Interface .................................................................................................................................. 15
6.1.
Stand Alone Mode ......................................................................................................................................... 15
6.1.1. State Machine Description ...................................................................................................................... 15
6.1.2. Memory Organization of the E2PROM ................................................................................................... 15
6.1.3. Periodic mode ......................................................................................................................................... 17
6.1.4. Low Battery Indicator: Stand Alone Mode............................................................................................... 18
6.1.5. Low Battery Indicator: MCU Mode .......................................................................................................... 18
6.2.
MCU Mode..................................................................................................................................................... 18
6.2.1. SPI Operation ......................................................................................................................................... 18
6.2.2. Data and Data Clock Usage....................................................................................................................20
6.3.
SX1230 Register Description........................................................................................................................ 21
7.
SX1230 Application Circuits ...................................................................................................................................27
7.1.
SX1230 E2PROM Mode Application Circuit ...................................................................................................27
7.2.
SX1230 MCU Mode Application Circuit ..........................................................................................................28
7.3.
Complete RKE Application Circuit ..................................................................................................................28
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SX1230, Revision 4 December 2015
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SX1230
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS & SENSING
Table of contents
Section
Page
DATASHEET
7.4.
7.5.
7.6.
7.7.
7.8.
7.9.
8.
9.
Wake-up Times.............................................................................................................................................. 29
Reset Pin Timing............................................................................................................................................ 29
Operation with 17 dBm Output Power............................................................................................................ 31
Matching for 13 dBm Output Power and Below............................................................................................. 33
TCXO Connection.......................................................................................................................................... 34
PCB Layout Considerations........................................................................................................................... 34
Reference Design .................................................................................................................................................. 35
Reference Design Performance ............................................................................................................................ 36
9.1.
9.2.
9.3.
9.4.
9.5.
Power Output versus Consumption ............................................................................................................... 36
Power Output Flatness versus Temperature and Supply Voltage................................................................. 37
Phase Noise....................................................................................................................................................38
SX1230 Baseband Filtering............................................................................................................................40
Adjacent Channel Power ................................................................................................................................40
10.
Packaging Information ............................................................................................................................................43
11. Package Marking ....................................................................................................................................................43
12. Recommended PCB Land Pattern .........................................................................................................................44
13. Soldering Profile......................................................................................................................................................45
ST0002_01_US
SX1230, Revision 4 December 2015
©2015 Semtech Corp.
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SX1230
Integrated Transmitter IC
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS & SENSING
DATASHEET
This product datasheet contains a detailed description of the SX1230 performance and functionality. Please consult the
Semtech website for the latest updates or errata (www.semtech.com).
1. General Description
The SX1230 is a multi-band, single chip transmitter IC capable of (G)FSK, (G)MSK, and OOK modulation of an input data
stream. It can transmit this modulated signal in any of the license free ISM bands from 290 MHz to 1020 MHz.
1.1. Simplified Block Diagram
Figure 1. SX1230 Simplified Block Diagram
The general architecture of the SX1230 is shown in Figure 1. The frequency synthesizer generating the LO frequency is a
third-order fractional-N sigma-delta PLL. The PLL is capable of fast auto-calibration and offers fast switching and settling
times. For frequency modulation ((G)FSK and (G)MSK), the modulation is performed within the PLL bandwidth. Optional
pre-filtering of the bit stream may also be enabled to reduce the power delivered to adjacent channels.
Amplitude modulation (OOK), is performed via a DAC driving the reference of the regulator of the PA. Note that pre-filtering
of the bit stream is also available in this mode. The VCO works at 2, 4 or 6 times the RF output frequency to improve the
quadrature precision and reduce pulling effects during transmission.
The PA of the SX1230 is comprised of two amplifiers - one high power, one low power. This enables the SX1230 to deliver
a wide range, over 30 dB, of output powers - up to +13 dBm in single PA configuration. However, with an appropriate output
impedance transformation, in dual PA mode, this can be increased to +17 dBm.
ST0002_01_US
SX1230, Revision 4 December 2015
©2015 Semtech Corp.
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SX1230
Integrated Transmitter IC
ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS & SENSING
DATASHEET
The SX1230 also includes two timing references; an RC oscillator, for sleep mode operation of the SPI interface (in MCU
mode), and a 32 MHz crystal oscillator, which serves as the low-noise frequency reference of the PLL. The references and
supply voltages are provided by the power distribution system which includes several regulators allowing true battery
powered operation.
1.2. Pin Diagram
The following diagram shows the pinouts of the 4x4 mm MLPQ-24 package.
Figure 2. SX1230 Pin diagram (top view)
ST0002_01_US
SX1230, Revision 4 December 2015
©2015 Semtech Corp.
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