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Radio receiver uses patented technology to increase signal integrity in wireless systems.

Mitel Semiconductor has available a single-chip amplitude shift key (ASK) receiver designed to bring high performance to low-power applications. Dubbed the KESRX04, the receiver employs patented anti-jam detection circuitry that enhances signal integrity in reception areas with high levels of interference. The company says the KESRX04 can provide an affordable solution while extending product life cycle in applications such as automotive keyless entry, garage door opening, remote control, radio frequency (RF) tagging and local paging systems.

Mobile radio communication equipment is proliferating rapidly worldwide which will lead to a significant increase in sustained interference caused by products such as wireless stereo headphones and radio repeater stations. Conventional ASK low-power radio receivers do not provide protection against this kind of interference says Mitel Semiconductor and it claims the KESRX04 is the only low-power radio receiver on the market that has the capability of offering significant interference immunity.

The patented anti-jam detection circuitry enables the receiver to reject in-band interfering signals that are more than 14 dB stronger than the required signal. Using DC restoration on the signal, the anti-jam circuitry amplifies the signal to recover data that is lost through interference. By employing this technology, the KESRX04 can enhance data integrity without the cost penalties of increased intermediate frequency (IF) selectivity and frequency accuracy. In addition, the anti-jam detection circuit can extend the product life cycle of the receiver by adapting the receiver to its changing environment.

"The wireless markets are exploding and we are committed to providing our customers with the technology required to be among the first to market with high-performance products," said Dale Wilson, Mobile Wireless Business Unit Marketing Manager at Mitel Semiconductor. "The KESRX04 is the most recent in a line of RF receivers that support this goal as we progress on our roadmap to be a top-tier provider of wireless components."

High integration solution

The KESRX04 also offers high-integration and performance and meets the requirements of FCC Part 15 and ETS 300-220. For power-conscious, handheld applications, KESRX04 provides improved flexibility on a lower 3 V supply for use with lithium battery coin cells. It is designed to operate over a voltage range of 3 to 6 V and over a temperature range of -40 to +85°C. It incorporates a two-stage powerdown control, allowing faster switch-on times for use in pulsed power saving mode. This also improves the 'time to good data' of the receiver from power-up. By duty cycling the receiver 'on' and 'off' the power consumption of the receiver can be reduced to less than 1 mA, says the manufacturer.

Other features of Mitel's KESRX04 include AGC control of the internal RF amplifier and a mixer-booster current to improve the dynamic range of the receiver. AGC control can be applied to an external amplifier if required. A secondary noise reduction filter is also incorporated to lower the noise contribution of the RSSI, improve the sensitivity of the receiver and reduce the gain in the IF.

For further information, contact Multitech Electronics Corporation, (031) 764 3226.

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