3G Short-Range Radio Modules Offer Higher Power Outputs

The third-generation Virtual Wire Radios offer the industry’s lowest-power, fully functional short-range radio family of receivers, transmitters, and transceivers, according to RF Monolithics. Based on the company’s ultra-low-power proprietary and patented amplifier-sequenced hybrid (ASH) radio architecture, the 3G series delivers a number of improvements on the previous models. They provide multi-channel capability and the flexibility of either fixed-frequency or multi-frequency operation. They also feature direct-sequence, spread-spectrum (DSSS) transmit and receive support.

Receiver sensitivity has been improved by about 5 dB; sleep-mode current is reduced to approximately 200 nA (typical), and transmit power has been increased to up to 10 mW. The internal clock-recovery function has also been enhanced. The Virtual Wire Radios include an RF IC with quartz SAW filtering and frequency control components in a single hybrid. No external RF filters, IF filters, resonators, or crystals are required. They handle high data rates for data, control, and digitized voice transmissions, and employ a stable, sensitive receiver technology with excellent "channel-capture" performance. A wide operating temperature range allows use in industrial or outdoor applications. The 3G Virtual Wire packages and pin-out designs are compatible with the company’s 2G Virtual Wire radios.