FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.

FEATURES
• DOUBLE CONVERSION SUPERHET
RECEIVER.
• SAW CONTROLLED FM TRANSMISSION AT
-6dBm ERP.
• -107dBm RECEIVE SENSITIVITY.
• RELIABLE 30 METRE RANGE WITHIN
BUILDINGS.
• SINGLE 4.5 to 5.5 VOLT SUPPLY <15mA (TX
OR RX).
• HALF DUPLEX AT UPTO 40Kbit/s.
• CMOS/TTL USER INTERFACE.
• FAST POWER UP ENABLE (1mS) FOR
DUTY CYCLE POWER SAVING.
• ON BOARD
DATA SLICER, SUPPLY SWITCHES AND
ANTENNA CHANGEOVER.
• LICENCE EXEMPT OPERATION IN UK ON
418MHz, MPT 1340 (BiM-418-F).
• ETS 300-220 TESTED FOR EUROPEAN USE
ON 433.92 MHz (BiM-433-F).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The R.F. Solutions FM Radiometrix Transceiver is a miniature UHF radio module
capable of half duplex data transmission at speeds upto 40 Kbit/s over distances
of 30 metres "in-building" and 120 metres open ground.
Supplied in a miniature PCB mounting module, the unit provides a low cost
solution to implement a Bi-directional short range radio data link.
The transceiver integrates a low power UHF FM transmitter and matching superhet
receiver together with the data recovery and TX/RX change over circuits.
The high data rates ( upto 40Kbit/s) and fast TX/RX changeover ( <1mS ) make the
BiM transceiver ideal for high integrity one to one links / multi-node packet switch
networks. Rapid RX power up ( <1mS ) allows effective duty cycle power saving of
the receiver for battery powered applications
The transceiver may be supplied as a bare board or as a custom solution unique
to customer-specific requirements. Please contact R.F. Solutions for further
information.

TRANSCEIVER DEVELOPMENT KIT

To aid system design, the Transceiver Evaluation kit provides a ready made
communication link which can operate in four different modes. Using an

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 1
 FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.
oscilioscope, signals may be monitored, audible and visual informaiton is also
provided, to show perfomance of the communication link.

BLOCK DIAGRAM TUNED 0 Volt

SAW CONTROLLED
BUFFER MODULATION 18
OSC FM MODULATED
AMP LINEARIZER 10k
TX

~ 1nF
10k
14 D
________
TX Select
ANT. 15
tx/rx 3
2 switch TX Supply
418MHz 10R
RF GND BPF Vcc
RX Supply 17
1,3
RX
Pre 10k ________
Amp RX
16Select
2nd mixer
10k
16MHz
BPF Audi
disc 13 o
Amp
10k

~
1st LO
~
2nd LO
Sig
Det
+
_ 12
RXD

16MHz 10k __
418MHz
CD
11
47K

0
10 Volt

INTERFACE BLOCK DIAGRAM

17 4.5 to 5.5V @ 15mA

16 RX
-6dBm FM Transmitter TX Select
Antenn 15
2 TX Data
a 40 Kbit/sec 14
13 RX
RF Ground 1,3 -107dBm Superhet Receiver Audio
RX Data
12
11 Carrier Detect
0
18, 10

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 2
 FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.
PIN DESCRIPTION
Pin No Name Description
1&3 RF GND These pins should be connected to the ground plane against
which the integral antenna radiates . Internally connected to
pins 9, 10, 18.
RF input / RF output for connection to an integral antenna. It
2 Antenna has a nominal RF impedance of 50Ω and is capacitively isolated
from the internal circuit.
9, 10, 18 Vss 0 volt connection for the modulation and supply.

Carrier Detect - A low indicates a signal above the detection

11 CD threshold is being received. The output is high impedance
(50kΩΩ ) and should only be used to drive a CMOS logic input.
This digital output from the internal dataslicer is a squared
version of the signal on pin 13 (AF). This signal is used to drive
12 RXD external digital decoders, it is true data (i.e. as fed to the
transmitters data input). The 10kΩ output impedance is suitable
for driving CMOS logic.
Note: This output contains squared noise when no signal is
being received.
This is the FM demodulator output .It has a standing DC bias of
approx. 1.5Volts and may be used to drive analogue data
decoders such as modems or DTMF decoders. Output
13 RX Audio impedance is 10kΩ Ω . Signal level approx. 0.4Vpk to pk. We
recommend this signal always be available on a convenient test
point for diagnostic purposes.
Note: Unlike the RXD output which is always true data, this
output is true data on the BiM-418 and inverted on the BiM-433.
Should be driven directly by a CMOS logic device running on
the same supply voltage as the module. Analogue drive may be
14 TXD used but must not drive this input aboveVcc or below 0Volts.
This input should be held at <0.5 Volt when the TX is not
selected to prevent current leak (see block diagram)
15 TX select Active low transmit / receive selects with 10k Ω internal.
16 RX select Pull ups. They may be driven by open collector or CMOS logic
17 Vcc Positive supply. Supply is internallydecoupled. Maximum ripple
content 50mV pk to pk. Reverse polarity will destroy the
module!

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 3
 FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.
TX / RX Select Configuration
Pin 15 Pin 16 Function
1 1 Power down (<1µ µ A)
1 0 Receiver enabled
0 1 Transmitter enabled
0 0 Self test loop back
Note - Loop test is at reduced TX power.

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

Supply Voltage (Vcc to GND)........................................-0.1 to + 6 Volts.
Voltage on all Input / Output Pins..................................-0.1 to Vcc + 0.1 Volts.
Storage Temperature....................................................-40 to +100o Celsius.
Operating Temperature.................................................-20 to +55o Celsius.

Warning!:
Don't be tempted to adjust the trimmer on the module, it controls the receive
frequency and can only be correctly set-up with an accurate RF signal generator.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Ambient temperature = 20o Celsius.
Supply Voltage Vcc = 5.0 Volts, unless otherwise stated.

DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS MIN TYPICAL MAX DIMENSION SEE NOTE

Supply Voltage 4.5 5.5 Volts
Supply Current
transmit 8 12 15 mA
receive 10 12 16 mA
loop test 20 25 mA
standby 1 uA

RF - TRANSMIT CHARACTERISTICS MIN TYPICAL MAX DIMENSION SEE NOTE

Radiated Power (ERP) -10 -6 -3 dBm 1
Transmit frequency (Frf) BiM-418-F 418.000 MHz
Transmit frequency (Frf) BiM-433-F 433.920 MHz
Initial frequency accuracy -75 0 +75 KHz
Overall frequency accuracy -95 0 +95 KHz
Spurious radiation meets ETS 300-220
FM deviation (+/-) 15 20 30 KHz 2
Distortion 5 10 % 3
Modulation response @ -3dB DC 32 KHz

RF - RECEIVE CHARACTERISTICS
Receive frequency (Frf) BiM-418-F 418.000 MHz
Receive frequency (Frf) BiM-433-F 433.920 MHz
Receiver sensitivity -100 -107 dBm
AF bandwidth @ -3dB 0.1 18 KHz
AF output level, pin 13, pk to pk 400 mV
LO leakage, pin 2 -57 dBm

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 4
 FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.
IF Bandwidth 200 KHz
AFC lock range (5µV signal) 200 KHz

TIMING
RX select low to valid CD 1 mS
RX select low to valid RXD 3 mS
Transmit to Receive delay 1 mS
µV) to valid CD
RF input (5µ 0.5 mS
µV) to stable AF
RF input (5µ 0.5 mS

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS MIN TYPICAL MAX DIMENSION SEE NOTE

Base Band transfer function
(through a pair of transceivers)

Linear drive (4Volt pk to pk, sine)

AF response @ -3dB 0.1 17 KHz
Analogue distortion 5 10 %

Digital drive
Data rate ( 50:50 ) 40 Kb/s 4
Time between transitions 25 2000 µS 5
Average Mark:Space ratio 30 50 70 % 6
Preamble duration (10101010) 3 mS
Data delay (TXD to RXD) 25 µS

Interface levels - inputs

TX & RX select, V high Vcc- Vcc
0.5
V low 0 1 V

Source current @ V low = 0.5 1 mA

0

TXD V high Vcc- Vcc V

0.5
V low 0 0.5 V

Interface levels - outputs

RXD & CD V high Vcc-0.6 V
(no load) V low 0.2 V

Notes:
1. Module on 50mm square ground plane , 16cm whip antenna.
2. Standard modulation : 2KHz square wave, 0 toVcc.
3. 1KHz, 4V pk to pk, Sinewave centred on +2.5Volts at pin 14 (TXD).
4. Digital drive, 50:50 mark:space (over 4mS) data pattern.
5. High or Low pulse.
6. Averaged over any 4mS period.

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 5
 FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.

TEST CIRCUIT

1 +ve
Gn 0V 18 Supply
2d Vcc 17 5V DC
__
3 Ant 16 470R 470R 470R
RX
__
Gn 15 Linear
FM BiMF TX TX
Radio Data TXD 14 Digital
Data in
Transceiver 13
AF Linear RX
RXD 12 Data out
__ 11 off
Digital
CD RX TX
9 0V 10 22K
0V 470R

-ve

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 6
 FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.
TIMING WAVEFORMS
RECEIVER SELECT TIMING
No Signal
RF input 5uV SIGNAL
0

________
RX Select -20
RX Audio
Pin 13
(dB) NOISE
-40
RX Audio
SIGNAL (Noise)
-60
-110 -100 -90 -80 -70

1mS
Signal Input, Pin 2
___________ (dBm)
Carrier Detect

<3mS

RX Data

100k 33k 22k 18k18k 22k 33k 100k Filtered Data to Pin
14
of FMTransceiver

Data 8 bit shift register

(74HC164)
X8
Clock
RAISED COSINE GENERATOR

ANTENNA DESIGN
The range achieved from the system is dependant on the choice and position of
the antenna. The space around the antenna is as important as the antenna itself.
The optimum position is to locate the antenna so that is protrudes directly out the
top of the transmitter box. If this is not possible due to other design constraints,
try to keep the antenna away from other metal in the system such as transformers,
batteries and PCB tracks, especially ground planes. In particular, the ‘HOT’ end of
the antenna should be kept as far away as possible from these.

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 7
 FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.

The following three types of antenna are recommended for the transmitter:

Antenna 1 - Helical Coil

Wire coil, connected directly to Pin

2, open circuit at the other end. This Pin 2
antenna has a high Q Factor, for
trimming, the length may be
adjusted.
This is a popular antenna as it
consumes little space. The helical
de-tunes badly with proximity to 34 Turns of enamelled copper wire diameter 0.5mm
close wound on 2.5mm diameter former.

Antenna 2 - Loop Pin 2

A PCB Track tuned by the Track width

Capacitor to ground at the 1mm.
‘HOT’ end. Fed from Pin 2 at
a point 20% from the ground 4 To 10 cm2
end. Inside Area
Loops have high immunity to
proximity de-tuning. Pin 1

Capacitor 1.5 - 5pF

Fixed or Variable

Antenna 3 - Whip
Can be either PCB Track, Wire
Rod, or a combination of the Pin 2
two. One end connected to Pin
2, the other open. Wire, Rod, PCB Track or combination
Optimum total length is 17cm thereof.
(1/4 wave @ 418mhz) Optimum Length is 16.5cm.
Ensure separation from metal
components to prevent
detuning.

Advantages / Disadvantages of Each Antenna

Feature Helical Loop Whip
Performance
Ease of design
Size
Immunity to handdetuning and
or components in close proximity

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 8
 FM R.F. TRANSCEIVER MODULE.

TOP VIEW
1 18
2 17
3 BiM-418-F 16 NOTES:
23mm 4 15 MODULE FOOTPRINT SIZE =
5 14 25mm X 35mm
6 13 PINS ARE ON 2.54mm PITCH.
7 12
8 11 RECOMMENDED PCB HOLE
9 10 SIZE = 1.2mm

Pins are on 1.2” Pitch PINS 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 ARE NOT

FITTED.
33mm

10mm
SIDE VIEW

MECHANICAL DETAILS

TYPE APPROVAL
The BiM-418-F is type approved in the UK to MPT1340 for use in Telemetry,
Telecommand and In-Building alarm applications.

ORDERING INFORMATION / DEVICES IN THE FM 418MHz RANGE

MAPLIN CODE DESCRIPTION
CR83E Transceiver Module, Single Channel 433MHz
CR84F Transceiver Evaluation kit

Should you require further assistance, please contact;

Technical Sales,
Maplin MPS,
P.O. Box 777, Rayleigh,
Essex, SS6 8LU, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1702 554000 Fax +44 (0)1702 554001
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.maplin.co.uk

Information contained in this document is believed to be accurate , however no representation or warranty is given and no liability is
assumed by R.F. Solutions Ltd. with respect to the accuracy of such information. UseR.F.Solutions
of as critical components in life support
systems is not authorised except with express written approval fromR.F.Solutions Ltd.

FM_BiMF.doc Rev 1.0 May ‘96  1996 REG No 277 4001, ENGLAND. Page 9