Low-Cost, 308MHz, 315MHz, and 433.92MHz FSK Transceiver with Fractional-N PLL

Active: In Production.

The MAX7031 crystal-based, fractional-N transceiver is designed to transmit and receive FSK data at factory-preset carrier frequencies of 308MHz, 315MHz, or 433.92MHz with data rates up to 33kbps (Manchester encoded) or 66kbps (NRZ encoded). This device generates a typical output power of +10dBm into a 50Ω load, and exhibits typical sensitivity of -110dBm. The MAX7031 features separate transmit and receive pins (PAOUT and LNAIN) and provides an internal RF switch that can be used to connect the transmit and receive pins to a common antenna.

The MAX7031 transmit frequency is generated by a 16-bit, fractional-N, phase-locked loop (PLL), while the receiver's local oscillator (LO) is generated by an integer-N PLL. This hybrid architecture eliminates the need for separate transmit and receive crystal reference oscillators because the fractional-N PLL is preset to be 10.7MHz above the receive LO. Retaining the fixed-N PLL for the receiver avoids the higher current-drain requirements of a fractional-N PLL and keeps the receiver current drain as low as possible.

The fractional-N architecture of the MAX7031 transmit PLL allows the transmit FSK signal to be preset for exact frequency deviations, and completely eliminates the problems associated with oscillator-pulling FSK signal generation. All frequency-generation components are integrated on-chip, and only a crystal, a 10.7MHz IF filter, and a few discrete components are required to implement a complete antenna/digital data solution.

The MAX7031 is available in a small, 5mm x 5mm, 32-pin, thin QFN package, and is specified to operate in the automotive -40°C to +125°C temperature range.

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