RCR-XXX-RP
Embedding the wireless future..
Low cost 315/418/433.92 MHz Super-Regen
ASK/OOK Receiver
Typical Applications
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Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
Remote Lighting Controls
On-Site Paging
Asset Tracking
Wireless Alarm and Security Systems
Long Range RFID
Automated Resource Management
Features
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Low Cost
3MHz receiving bandwidth – works with
any LC or SAW based transmitter
5V operation
4.5mA current drain
No External Parts are required
Small Size: 1.76” x .43”
4800 baud operation
Description
The RCR-XXX-RP is ideal for short-range remote
control applications where cost is a primary
concern. The receiver module requires no external
RF components except for the antenna. It
generates virtually no emissions, making FCC and
ETSI approvals easy. The super-regenerative
design exhibits exceptional sensitivity at a very
low cost. A SAW filter can be added to the antenna
input to improve selectivity for applications that
require robust performance.
The manufacturing-friendly SIP style package and
low-cost make the RCR-XXX-RP suitable for high
volume applications.
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RCR-XXX-RP Super-Regen ASK/OOK Receiver
Data Sheet
Document Control
Created By
Engineering Review
Marketing Review
Approved - Engineering
Approved - Marketing
Steve Montgomery
5/21/01
Revision History
Revision Author
1.0
SJM
1.1
GWH
Date
5/21/01
7/29/03
Description
Document Created
Updated.
-1-
2/13/2004
RCR-XXX-RP Super-Regen ASK/OOK Receiver
Data Sheet
Mechanical Drawing
Pinout Diagram
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Rating
Power Supply and All Input Pins
Storage Temperature
Soldering Temperature (10 sec)
Value
-0.3 to +12
-50 to +100
350
Units
VDC
°C
°C
Electrical Characteristics
Characteristic
Operating Voltage
Operating Current
Reception Bandwidth
Center Frequency
Sensitivity
Baud Rate – NRZ
Baud Rate – PWM
Audio Bandwidth
Selectivity
Operating Temperature
Symbol
V
cc
I
cc
BW
rx
F
c
F
c
F
c
None
None
None
BW
audio
None
T
op
Min
4.5
--
--
--
--
--
--
1200
120
.15
-20
Typ
5.0
4.5
3.0
315
418
433.92
-109
--
--
--
TBD
--
Max
5.5
--
--
--
--
--
--
4800
2400
2.8
+70
Units
VDC
MA
MHz
MHz
MHz
MHz
dBm
bps
Bps
KHz
TBD
°C
Notes
None
None
None
RCR-315-RP
RCR-418-RP
RCR-433-RP
None
None
None
None
TBD
TBD
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2/13/2004
RCR-XXX-RP Super-Regen ASK/OOK Receiver
Data Sheet
Pin Description
Pin
1
2
3
4,5
Name
ANT
GND
GND
V
cc
(5v)
Description
50
Ω
antenna input.
Receiver Ground. Connect to ground plane.
Receiver Ground. Connect to ground plane.
Pins 4 and 5 are electrically connected and provide operating voltage for the
receiver. VCC can be applied to either or both. VCC should be bypassed with a
.01µF ceramic capacitor and filtered with a 4.7µF tantalum capacitor. Noise on
the power supply will degrade receiver sensitivity.
Analog receiver output. This is the audio signal prior to the data slicer.
Digital data output. This output is capable of driving one TTL or CMOS load. It is
a CMOS compatible output.
Receiver Ground. Connect to ground plane
6
7
8
ANALOG
DATA
GND
Theory of Operation
Super-Regenerative AM Detection
The RCR-XXX-RP uses a super-regenerative AM detector to demodulate the incoming AM
carrier.
A super-regenerative detector is a gain stage with positive feedback greater than unity so that it
oscillates. An RC-time constant is included in the gain stage so that when the gain stage
oscillates, the gain will be lowered over time proportional to the RC time constant until the
oscillation eventually dies.
When the oscillation dies, the current draw of the gain stage decreases, charging the RC circuit,
increasing the gain, and ultimately the oscillation starts again. In this way, the oscillation of the
gain stage is turned on and off at a rate set by the RC time constant.
This rate is chosen to be super-audible but much lower than the main oscillation rate. Detection is
accomplished by measuring the emitter current of the gain stage. Any RF input signal at the
frequency of the main oscillation will aid the main oscillation in restarting. If the amplitude of the
RF input increases, the main oscillation will stay on for a longer period of time, and the emitter
current will be higher. Therefore, we can detect the original baseband signal by simply low-pass
filtering the emitter current.
The average emitter current is not very linear as a function of the RF input level. It exhibits a 1/ln
response because of the exponentially rising nature of oscillator start-up. The steep slope of a
logarithm near zero results in high sensitivity to small input signals.
Data Slicer
The data slicer converts the baseband analog signal from the super-regenerative detector to a
CMOS/TTL compatible output. Because the data slicer is AC coupled to the audio output, there is
a minimum data rate. AC coupling also limits the minimum and maximum pulse width.
Typically, data is encoded on the transmit side using pulse-width modulation (PWM) or non-
return-to-zero (NRZ).
The most common source for NRZ data is from a UART embedded in a micro-controller.
Applications that use NRZ data encoding typically involve microcontrollers. The most common
source for PWM data is from a remote control IC such as the HC-12E from Holtek.
Data is sent as a constant rate square-wave. The duty cycle of that square wave will generally be
either 33% (a zero) or 66% (a one). The data slicer on the RCR-XXX-RP is optimized for
use with PWM encoded data, though it will work with NRZ data if certain encoding rules are
followed.
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2/13/2004
RCR-XXX-RP Super-Regen ASK/OOK Receiver
Data Sheet
Power Supply
The RCR-XXX-RP is designed to operate from a 5V power supply. It is crucial that this power
supply be very quiet. The power supply should be bypassed using a 0.01uF low-ESR ceramic
capacitor and a 4.7uF tantalum capacitor. These capacitors should be placed as close to the
power pins as possible. The RCR-XXX-RP is designed for continuous duty operation. From the
time power is applied, it can take up to 750mSec for the data ouput to become valid.
Antenna Input
Pin 1 is a 50 ohm antenna input. It will support most antenna types, including printed antennas
integrated directly onto the PCB. The performance of the different antennas varies. Any time a
trace is longer than 1/8
th
the wavelength of the frequency it is carrying, it should be a 50 ohm
microstrip.
Ordering Information
PRODUCT
RCR-315-RP
RCR-418-RP
RCR-433-RP
ORDER CODE
RCR-315-RP
RCR-418-RP
RCR-433-RP
Radiotronix Inc.
207 Industrial Blvd.
Moore, OK 73044
(405) 794-7730
(405) 794-7477 (Fax)
www.radiotronix.com
sales@radiotronix.com
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2/13/2004