This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the RF Transceiver ICs category on DigiKey.com
RF Transceiver ICs are semiconductor devices that consist of a transmitter and a receiver in a single package. Transceivers are designed to function proficiently within an RF family or standard such as AISG, Bluetooth, ISM, VHF, Wi-Fi, cellular, RADAR, 802.15.4, and Z-Wave. They are further classified by the type of modulation and the specific protocol versions. Some ICs include a built-in microcontroller.
SelectionCharacteristics
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Type: The primary mode of operation of the transceiver.
RF Family/Standard: Indicates the general application space or communications standard for which a device is intended for use.
Protocol: Enumerates the communications protocols and/or standard interfaces that a device supports or implements.
Modulation: Enumerates RF modulation schemes that a device employs or can be configured to employ.
Frequency: The specific radio frequency at which the device operates.
Data Rate (Max): Characterizes the maximum rate at which information can be transmitted or received by a device. Does not necessarily refer to the throughput rate for user data, see device datasheets for further information.
Power - Output: A device’s maximum rated output power in dB relative to 1 milliwatt or watt.
Sensitivity: The minimum RF signal strength required for the receiver to successfully demodulate and recover the data from the incoming signal.
Memory Size: The amount and type of memory available in the device.
Serial Interfaces: Indicates standard serial communication interfaces/protocols that are present or provisioned for on a device.
GPIO: Indicates the number of GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins available on the device.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Current - Receiving: Characterizes device current consumption while operating in an active state, awaiting a transmitted signal.
Current - Transmitting: Characterizes a device’s supply current consumption while actively transmitting.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Grade: Indicates whether the device is rated for automotive use.
Qualification: Indicates which automotive standard the device meets, if applicable.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the supplier device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | ESP32-S3R8 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1904-ESP32-S3R8-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Espressif Systems |
| DESCRIPTION | IC RF TxRx + MCU Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v5.0 2.412GHz ~ 2.484GHz 56-VFQFN Exposed Pad |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | EFR32BG12P232F1024GL125-B |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 336-5786-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Silicon Labs |
| DESCRIPTION | IC RF TxRx + MCU Bluetooth Bluetooth v5.0 2.4GHz 125-VFBGA |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | NRF24AP2-8CHQ32-T |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 4823-NRF24AP2-8CHQ32-T-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Nordic Semiconductor ASA |
| DESCRIPTION | IC RF TxRx Only General ISM > 1GHz ANT™ 2.4GHz 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Atmel Wireless RF Transceiver - AT86RF212
Articles
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How to Design Wireless Personal Area Networks
Wireless Protocols Control Energy Efficiency
Software-Defined Radio Advanced RF Transceiver
Product Training Modules
SPIRIT1 RF Transceiver Overview - STMicro
LMS6002DFN Multi-Function RF - Lime Micro
AT86RF232 Lo Pwr 2.4GHz Wireless Trans - Microchip
ATmega128RFA1 Wireless MCU - Microchip
Blogs
Blogs on RF Tranceivers
TechForum
TechForum posts on RF Transceivers