Deliver faster and more efficient data transfer with MICRF230 and PIC18LF45K50

OOK RX Click is based on the MICRF230, a 400MHz to 450MHz ASK/OOK receiver with RSSI and squelch, from Microchip. The working principle of this device is based on decoding of information embedded in a radio signal. The ASK/OOK modulation is a way to encode information and assemble it into radio signals which can be transmitted and received wirelessly. Generally, ASK is an abbreviate for the Amplitude Shift Key modulation, which is realized by shifting the amplitude of the signal, depending on the number that is going to be transmitted. For example, if the transmitted number is 1, the transmitted signal amplitude would be equal to the carrier signal amplitude, if the transmitted number is 2, the transmitted signal amplitude is as twice as the carrier signal amplitude and so on. The ASK method of modulation allows not only the binary communication, as more than two signal amplitudes can be detected by the receiver. However, this method is very susceptible to noise and interferences. To overcome this problem, an OOK modulation method was introduced. The OOK modulation is very similar to the ASK, but it is of a binary type. OOK is an abbreviate for the Off-On Key, which perfectly describes this type of modulation. The presence of the carrier signal is recognized as the logical 1, while the absence of a carrier signal is recognized as the logical 0. This method is more immune to noise and interferences than the ASK modulation, and it allows for greater communication distance to be achieved. Signal demodulation starts with the RF signal being received and amplified by the low noise amplifier at the RF input. This signal is

additionally processed by the internal mixers, filters and frequency synthesizers, and the processed intermediate frequency (IF) signal of about 330kHz is generated. This signal is passed to the decoding section. Decoder removes the carrier signal from the IF and filters the remaining baseband signal. This is done by a low pass filter with a user selectable bandwidth. The bandwidth choice is very important as it provides the optimal bit error rate (BER) for a specific data rate. Depending on the transmitted information data rate, users can select the bandwidth of the low pass filter, by moving the onboard SMD jumpers, labeled as BW SEL. These jumpers are used to set SEL0 and SEL1 pins of the IC to the proper logic levels, as you can see from the table given below. Before the communication is attempted, the preamble burst should be received first. The preamble burst allows calibration to the receiving signal. When resuming from the Shutdown mode, the preamble should be long enough to allow the receiver to be fully awake and ready to receive data. The integrated squelch function is used to limit the activity on the DO (data output) pin. This is particularly useful if the DO is used for an interrupt generation, as the squelch function will suppress any activity unless valid communication bits are detected. When the SQ pin is set to a logic LOW level, the squelch functionality is enabled, reducing random activity (noise) on the DO pin when there is no RF input signal. The SQ pin is pulled to a logic HIGH level internally, so it is disabled if the pin is left afloat. This pin is routed to the CS pin of the mikroBUS™. Power consumption can be reduced if the device is put into the

Shutdown mode. When EN pin is pulled high, the internal logic of the MICRF230 IC is activated. The EN pin is internally pulled LOW so that the device starts in the Shutdown mode when this pin is left afloat. The onboard capacitor ensures a proper power-up cycle since it will generate a small delay before the EN pin is pulled to a logic HIGH level, giving time to the power supply voltage to stabilize. The EN pin is routed to the mikroBUS™ RST pin. OOK RX click has an RSSI (received signal strength indicator) output pin, used to directly measure the voltage level on the AGC (automatic gain compensation) section. The AGC is an integrated circuit section that provides a constant amplitude of the low pass filtered baseband signal. The voltage level on this pin determines the amplification of the AGC section. Since this level is not directly readable, an inverted, buffered version of the voltage is present on the RSSI pin, which can be directly used to determine the signal strength - which is inversely proportional to the signal amplification. The RSSI output pin has an impedance of 200Ω and it is routed to the AN pin of the mikroBUS™. OOK RX click can work both with an integrated PCB trace antenna or a 433MHz external antenna, which can be attached to the onboard SMA connector of the click board, for improved range and received signal strength. Both 3.3V and 5V operation is supported by this click board™. By moving the SMD jumper labeled as the VCC SEL, it is possible to select the operating voltage, so that both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can work with the OOK RX click board.

EasyPIC v7 is the seventh generation of PIC development boards specially designed to develop embedded applications rapidly. It supports a wide range of 8-bit PIC microcontrollers from Microchip and has a broad set of unique functions, such as a powerful onboard mikroProg programmer and In-Circuit debugger over USB-B. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements in one place, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others. With four different connectors for each port, EasyPIC v7 allows you to connect accessory boards, sensors, and custom electronics more efficiently than ever. Each part of

the EasyPIC v7 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. An integrated mikroProg, a fast USB 2.0 programmer with mikroICD hardware In-Circuit Debugger, offers many valuable programming/debugging options and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment. Besides it also includes a clean and regulated power supply block for the development board. It can use various external power sources, including an external 12V power supply, 7-23V AC or 9-32V DC via DC connector/screw terminals, and a power source via the USB Type-B (USB-B) connector. Communication options such as

USB-UART and RS-232 are also included, alongside the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, three display options (7-segment, graphical, and character-based LCD), and several different DIP sockets. These sockets cover a wide range of 8-bit PIC MCUs, from PIC10F, PIC12F, PIC16F, PIC16Enh, PIC18F, PIC18FJ, and PIC18FK families. EasyPIC v7 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.