Austriamicrosystems has announced the availability of the AS3940, the 2.4GHz multi-channel FSK (frequency shift keying) transceiver with link manager for reliable control of star networks with up to 8 clients, as claimed by the company. It features low power, sensitivity of -100dBm at 250kbit/s and -92dBm at 2Mbit/s, and data rates from 250kbit/s up to 2Mbit/s. It integrates a digital received signal strength indictor, real-time-clock and programmable clock output, a Gaussian filter, phase locked loop and loop filter. The transceiver is a built-in star network management protocol manager that is royalty-free and provides a protocol for self-management of all network functions. This device speeds system design and decreases the MCU's workload and ensures robust data transfer in burst and streaming modes and correct protocol handling, claims the company. The transceiver offers features such as battery voltage monitoring, adaptive channel switching, TX/RX switch and four separate 256bit user data buffers. Other features include programmable output power, efficient power management and power-optimised wakeup modes, battery voltage detection, and adaptive channel switching/support of frequency hopping. The performance and integrated functions of the transceiver make it suitable for applications, including body area networks for health and fitness, wireless sensor networks, active smart labels, home and building automation, interactive remote controls, and data streaming. The transceiver is housed in a QFN-32 package measuring 5x5mm. The transceiver operates with a 2.2V power supply over a temperature range of -40 to +85°C.
