Atmel's Fully Programmable, Ultra Low Power RF Transmitter IC Boosts Flexibility for Car Access and TPMS Applications

Shanghai, China (ots/PRNewswire) -

China International Automotive Electronics Show -- Atmel(R)
Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of the
new fully integrated fractional-N PLL RF transmitter IC ATA5749 for
car access and TPMS applications. The new device is one of the very
few automotive RF transmitter ICs that is fully programmable, thus
enabling flexible system design and adaptation. Moreover, it is one
of only a few such devices with ultra low power consumption -- a
significant factor for TPMS applications. For both RKE and TPMS
applications, a single crystal type and a single board design (with
only minor modifications) can be used for the standard 315 MHz and
433 MHz frequency ranges.

The IC's single-ended antenna output power can be adjusted in the
range of -0.5 dBm to 12.5 dBm via an SPI bus interface. In each mode,
the lowest possible current consumption for a given output power can
be selected. For example, when used in a TPMS module, the active
current consumption in transmission mode at an output power of 5.5
dBm is 7.3 mA (typical) and 8.8 mA (maximum). This is about 20% less
than the values of currently available solutions on the market. Lower
current consumption, of course, results in a longer battery lifetime,
a critical factor for TPMS applications. Furthermore, in extreme
weather conditions, the battery lifetime is superior to comparable
products.

In the event of a change in system specifications, where the
output power needs to be adjusted, the current consumption of the
ATA5749 can be optimized accordingly. The active current consumption
is scalable by output power programming via SPI in 1-dB steps. This
enables designers to fine tune system performance, in particular, RF
link budget versus battery lifetime.

In addition to output power adjustments, the SPI bus interface
also enables the programming of other key parameters such as output
frequency, FSK signal deviation, and CLK output frequency.

The ATA5749 operates at a maximum data rate of 40 kbit/s in FSK
and ASK mode using Manchester coding, and at an RF frequency in the
range of 300 to 450 MHz. The IC incorporates a robust crystal
oscillator with fast start-up time of typically 200 us and a
guaranteed parameter for negative resistance oscillation margin of
1,500 Ohm. This results in high reliability and helps avoid sleeping
crystal issues. Only one 13.000000 MHz crystal type is needed for the
standard frequency ranges 314.1 to 329.5 MHz and 424.5 to 439.9 MHz,
resulting in nearly identical hardware board design for the regional
RF modules, lower inventory costs, and reduced part number
proliferation.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the ATA5749 RF transmitter IC are available now in
small-outline TSSOP10 packages. Pricing starts at US $1.25 for
10k-piece quantities. A demonstration board for development support
is also available.

Footnote
ASK = Amplitude Shift Keying
CLK = Clock
FSK = Frequency Shift Keying
PLL = Phase Locked Loop
RKE = Remote Keyless Entry
SPI = Serial Parallel Interface
TPMS = Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof, and others are registered trademarks, or
trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and
product names may be trademarks of others.

Information

Product information on Atmel's new PLL RF transmitter IC ATA5749
may be retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4328

Press Contacts
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products
Phone: +49-7131-67-2081, Email: susanne.van-clewe@atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
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Contact:
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, susanne.van-clewe@atmel.com, or Helen
Perlegos, Public Relations, +1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com,
both of Atmel Corporation