Analog Devices recently introduced a SoC (system-on-chip) device that integrates all of the RF (radio frequency) transmit and receive functions, data conversion, and processing elements required to enable a fully programmable radio. Designed for a range of remote, battery-powered wireless sensor network (WSN) applications, including utility meters, medical telemetry systems, building automation, asset tracking and security systems, the ultra-low-power ADuCRF101 radio SoC features a 12-bit ADC (analog-to-digital converter), a 32-bit microprocessor core, on-chip SRAM and FLASH memory and an ISM-band radio transceiver. A datasheet is now available.

The ADuCRF101 radio SoC extends ADI's precision analog microcontroller portfolio, which now includes an ultra-low-power offering based on the Cortex-M3 processor, to support the demanding design requirements of today's remote sensing and measurement applications. The network range and coverage of the ADuCRF101 radio SoC is suited for applications where data must be captured, measured, and transmitted quickly in noisy environments without taxing battery life.

In medical patient monitoring systems, a wireless Holter or telemetry monitor worn by the patient needs to be small, operate at low power for extended battery life, and offer the performance level to sustain uninterrupted communication of the patient’s vital signs. The ADuCRF101 enables these applications and also provides a platform upon which patient monitoring outside of the hospital environment can be done.

The ADuCRF101 radio SoC's 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 core provides the throughput necessary to support a growing array of sensing and measurement functions, and features serial download and debug, an external watch crystal that functions as a wake-up timer, and a 16-MHz PLL with an 8-way programmable divider. The integrated RF transceiver provides a combination of industry-leading interference blocking performance with very low receive and transmit currents, allowing more robust operation in urban environments where interfering signals are present.
 

Richard Nass