Si4012

The Si4012 is a fully integrated FSK/OOK crystal-less CMOS high-data rate RF transmitter designed for the sub-GHz ISM band. It has the same RF and analog circuitry as the Si4010 but without the integrated 8051 MCU to support applications requiring an external MCU. The device offers advanced radio features including continuous frequency coverage of 27 – 960 MHz, automatic antenna tuning, adjustable output power of up to +10 dBm, and FSK data rates up to 100 kbaud. The transmitter supports continuous data streaming with a 256-byte FIFO and is optimized for the M-BUS T1 market.

The Si4012 IC's high level of integration offers reduced BOM cost while simplifying the overall system design. The transmitter supports data streaming into the TX FIFO without external MCU support. The digital transmit modulation and automatic PA power ramping ensure precise transmit modulation and reduced spectral splatter, ensuring compliance with FCC, ETSI, and ARIB regulations. Additional system features such as the low battery detector and 256 byte TX FIFO reduce overall current consumption and allow the use of lower-cost system MCUs. The Si4012 is optimized for wireless M-BUS T1-mode.

Features

Frequency Range
27–960 MHz
FSK and OOK modulation
Output Power

Maximum: +10 dBm
Configurable: –13 to +10 dBm

Crystal-less operation

±150 ppm: 0 to + 70 °C
±250 ppm: –40 to + 85 °C
Optional crystal input for tighter tolerances

Data rate

FSK: 0.1 to 100 Kbaud
OOK: 0.1 to 50 Kbaud

Power supply 1.8 to 3.6 V
TX 256 byte FIFO
Low battery detector
SMBus interface
–40 to +85 °C temperature range
10-pin MSOP, Pb free/RoHS compliant

Applications

Documentation Expand All Collapse All

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Data Sheet (1)

Document Name	Description	Version	Last Updated
Si4012.pdf	Si4012 Data Sheet	0.2	12/16/2010

Data Short (1)

Document Name	Description	Version	Last Updated
Si4012_short.pdf	Si4012 Data Short	06.18.10	7/13/2010

Application Notes (2)

Document Name	Description	Version	Last Updated
AN558.pdf	AN558: Si4012 Programming Guide	0.1	11/30/2010
AN564.pdf	AN564: Si4012 Calculator Spreadsheet Usage	0.1	5/24/2011

White Papers (1)

Document Name	Description	Version	Last Updated
Designing an RF Remote Control_WP.pdf	Designing an RF Remote Control White Paper	0.1	7/19/2010

Miscellaneous (1)

Document Name	Description	Version	Last Updated
Si4012_QS_Guide.pdf	SDBC-DK4012 Development Kit Quick Start Guide	0.2	11/30/2010

PCN (1)

Document Name	Description	Version	Last Updated
1110051 C-Pak as a Tape and Reel Supplier std.pdf	1110051 C-Pak as a Tape and Reel Supplier std

Design Resources

Design Tools Expand All Collapse All

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Software (3)

Document Name	Description	Version	Updated
LoadBoard_2.x_driver.zip	Loadboard (MSC-DKLB2.x) USB Driver	2.x
Si4012_example_programs.zip	Si4012 code examples		12/1/2010
Si401x and Si431x CD content.zip	Si401x and Si431x CD content	3.2	8/24/2011

Schematics/Layout (1)

Document Name	Description	Version	Updated
Si401x_board_design_files.zip	Si401x_board_design_files		8/24/2011

Training (1)

Document Name	Description	Version	Updated
WDS-1-Radio-Control-Panel.swf	Wireless Development Suite — Radio Control Panel Wireless Development Suite — Radio Control Panel

Product Matrix

Part Number		Available Documents	Output Power 868 MHz	Output Power 434 MHz	Supply Voltage	Sensitivity	Package	FSK	Description	OOK	Frequency Bands
Si4012		Data Sheet Data Short	10	10	1.8-3.6 V	-	MSOP10	100	TX	50	27-960 MHz

The Si4012 RF transmitter offers advanced radio features including continuous frequency coverage from 27–960 MHz, adjustable output power of up to +10 dBm, and data rates up to 100 Kbaud in FSK mode. The Si4012 IC's high level of integration offers reduced BOM cost while simplifying the overall system design. The transmitter supports data streaming into the TX FIFO without external MCU support. The digital transmit modulation and automatic PA power ramping ensure precise transmit modulation and reduced spectral splatter, ensuring compliance with FCC, ETSI and ARIB regulations. Additional system features such as the low battery detector and 256 byte TX FIFO reduce overall current consumption and allow the use of lower-cost system MCUs. The Si4012 is optimized for wireless MBUS T1-mode.

The device leverages Silicon Labs' patented and proven crystal-less oscillator technology and offers better than ±150 ppm carrier frequency stability over the temperature range of 0 to + 70 °C and ±250 ppm carrier frequency stability over the industrial range of  –40 to +85 °C without the use of an external crystal or frequency reference. The Si4012 automatically calibrates the on-chip voltage controlled oscillator (LCOSC) which forms the output carrier frequency for process and temperature variations. An external 1-pin crystal oscillator option is available for applications requiring tighter frequency tolerances.

The Si4012 is designed to work with an MCU and a few passives to create a very low-cost system. Voltage regulators are integrated on-chip, which enables a wide range of operating supply voltage conditions from +1.8 to +3.6 V. Digital integration reduces the amount of required external components compared to traditional offerings. The high integration of the Si4012 improves the system manufacturing reliability, quality, and minimizes costs. This chip offers industry-leading RF performance, high integration, flexibility, low BOM, small board area and ease of design. No production alignment is necessary as all RF functions are integrated into the device.

Training & Resources

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Wireless

Title Content
Si4012 RF Transmitter

Features

Applications