MRF24J40MD/ME
2.4 GHz IEEE Std. 802.15.4™
RF Transceiver Module with PA/LNA
Features:
• IEEE Std. 802.15.4™ Compliant RF Transceiver
• Supports ZigBee
®
, MiWi™ Development
Environment Proprietary Wireless Networking
Protocols
• 4-Wire Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) with
Interrupt
• Small size: 0.9" x 1.3" (22.9 mm x 33.0 mm),
Surface Mountable: Pin Compatible with
MRF24J40MB and MRF24J40MC
• Integrated Crystal, Internal Voltage Regulator,
Matching Circuitry, Power Amplifier, Low Noise
Amplifier
• PCB Antenna (MRF24J40MD), External Antenna
Connector (MRF24J40ME): Ultra Miniature
Coaxial (U.FL), 50Ω
• Easy Integration into Final Product: Minimize
Product Development, Quicker Time to Market
• Compliance:
- Modular Certified for the United States (FCC)
and Canada (IC)
- European R&TTE Directive Assessed Radio
Module
- Australia/New Zealand
• Compatible with Microchip microcontroller
families (PIC16, PIC18, PIC24, dsPIC33 and
PIC32)
• Range up to 4000 ft
Operational:
• Operating Voltage: 3.0V-3.6V (3.3V typical)
• Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°C Industrial
• Low-Current Consumption:
- Rx Mode: 32 mA (typical)
- Tx Mode: 140 mA (typical)
- Sleep: 10
A
(typical)
RF/Analog Features:
• ISM Band 2.405 GHz-2.475 GHz Operation
• Data Rate: 250 kbps
• -104 dBm Typical Sensitivity with -23 dBm
Maximum Input Level
• +19 dBm Typical Output Power with 45 dB Tx
Power Control Range
• Integrated Low Phase Noise VCO, Frequency
Synthesizer and PLL Loop Filter
• Digital VCO and Filter Calibration
• Integrated RSSI ADC and I/Q DACs
• Integrated LDO
• High Receiver RSSI Dynamic Range
MAC/Baseband Features:
• Hardware CSMA-CA Mechanism, Automatic ACK
Response and FCS Check
• Independent Beacon, Transmit and GTS FIFO
• Supports all CCA modes and RSS/LQI
• Automatic Packet Retransmit Capable
• Hardware Security Engine (AES-128) with CTR,
CCM and CBC-MAC modes
• Supports Encryption and Decryption for MAC Sub
layer and Upper Layer
Pin Diagram:
GND
RESET
WAKE
INT
SDI
SCK
1
2
3
4
5
6
12
11
10
9
8
7
GND
GND
V
IN
NC
CS
SDO
2014 Microchip Technology Inc.
Advance Information
DS70005173A-page 1
MRF24J40MD/ME
Table of Contents
1.0 Device Overview .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 Circuit Description ...................................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.0 Regulatory Approval................................................................................................................................................................... 19
4.0 Electrical Characteristics ........................................................................................................................................................... 25
Appendix A: Revision History............................................................................................................................................................... 27
The Microchip Web Site ....................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Customer Change Notification Service ................................................................................................................................................ 29
Product Identification System............................................................................................................................................................... 30
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DS70005173A-page 2
Advance Information
2014 Microchip Technology Inc.
MRF24J40MD/ME
1.0
DEVICE OVERVIEW
The MRF24J40MD/ME is a 2.4 GHz IEEE Std.
802.15.4™ compliant, surface mount module with
integrated crystal, internal voltage regulator, matching
circuitry, Power Amplifier (PA), Low Noise Amplifier
(LNA) with PCB Trace Antenna (MRF24J40MD) or 50Ω
external antenna connector (MRF24J40ME). The
MRF24J40MD/ME module operates in the non-
licensed 2.4 GHz frequency band. The integrated
module design frees the integrator from extensive RF
and antenna design, and regulatory compliance testing
allowing quicker time to market.
The MRF24J40MD/ME module is compatible with
Microchip’s MiWi™ Development Environment
software stacks. The MiWi Development Environment
software stack including the source code is available as
a free download, from the Microchip web site:
http://
www.microchip.com/wireless.
The MRF24J40MD/ME module has received
regulatory approvals for modular devices in the United
States (FCC) and Canada (IC). Modular approval
removes the need for expensive RF and antenna
design, and allows the end user to place the
MRF24J40MD/ME module inside a finished product
and does not require regulatory testing for an
intentional radiator (RF transmitter). To maintain
conformance, refer to module settings in
Section 3.1.2
“RF Exposure”
for the United States and
Section
“Transmitter Antenna (from Section 7.1.2 RSS-Gen,
Issue 3, December 2010): User manuals for
transmitters shall display the following notice in a
conspicuous location:”
for Canada.
The MRF24J40MD/ME module is an R&TTE Directive
assessed radio module for operation in Europe. The
module tests can be applied toward final product
certification and Declaration of Conformity (DoC). To
maintain conformance for Europe, refer to module
settings in
Section 3.4 “Australia”.
Additional testing
may be required depending on the end application.
1.1
Interface Description
Figure 1-1
shows a simplified block diagram of the
MRF24J40MD/ME module. The module is based on
the Microchip Technology MRF24J40 IEEE
802.15.4™ 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver IC. The module
interfaces to many popular Microchip PIC
®
microcon-
trollers through a 4-wire SPI interface, interrupt, wake,
reset, power and ground, as shown in
Figure 1-2.
Table 1-1
provides the pin descriptions.
Serial communication and module configuration for the
MRF24J40MD/ME module are documented in the
“MRF24J40 Data Sheet”
(DS39776). Refer to the data
sheet for specific serial interface protocol and register
definitions.
Also, see
Section 1.4 “Operation”
for specific register
settings that are unique to the MRF24J40MD/ME
module.
FIGURE 1-1:
MRF24J40MD/ME BLOCK DIAGRAM
MRF24J40MD/ME IEEE Std. 802.15.4™ Module
MRF24J40
Digital
I/O
PA
Antenna
U.FL
Connector
LNA
Physical
MAC
Interface
SPI
Power
Management
Power
20 MHz
Crystal
2014 Microchip Technology Inc.
Advance Information
DS70005173A-page 3
MRF24J40MD/ME
TABLE 1-1:
Pin
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
PIN DESCRIPTION
Symbol
GND
RESET
WAKE
INT
SDI
SCK
SDO
CS
NC
V
IN
GND
GND
Type
Ground
DI
DI
DO
DI
DI
DO
DI
—
Power
Ground
Ground
Ground
Global hardware Reset pin
External wake-up trigger
Interrupt pin to microcontroller
Serial interface data input
Serial interface clock
Serial interface data output from MRF24J40
Serial interface enable
No connection
Power supply
Ground
Ground
Description
Legend:
Pin type abbreviation: D = Digital, I = Input, O = Output
FIGURE 1-2:
MICROCONTROLLER TO MRF24J40MD/ME INTERFACE
PIC
®
MCU
MRF24J40MD/ME
I/O
SDO
SDI
SCK
INTX
I/O
I/O
CS
SDI
SDO
SCK
INT
WAKE
RESET
V
IN
GND
DS70005173A-page 4
Advance Information
2014 Microchip Technology Inc.
MRF24J40MD/ME
1.2
Mounting Details
The MRF24J40MD/ME is a surface mountable mod-
ule. Module dimensions are shown in
Figure 1-3.
The
module Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is 0.032" thick
with castellated mounting points on the edge.
Figure 1-4
is a recommended host PCB footprint for
the MRF24J40MD/ME.
The MRF24J40MD has an integrated PCB antenna.
For the best performance, follow the mounting details
shown in
Figure 1-5.
It is recommended that the mod-
ule be mounted on the edge of the host PCB, and an
area around the antenna, approximately 1.2", be kept
clear of metal objects. A host PCB ground plane
around the MRF24J40MD acts as a counterpoise to
the PCB antenna. It is recommended to extend the
ground plane at least 0.4" around the module.
The MRF24J40ME has 50Ω ultra miniature coaxial
(U.FL) connector.
Caution:
The U.FL connector is fragile and can only
tolerate very limited number of insertions.
1.3
Soldering Recommendations
The MRF24J40MD/ME module was assembled using
a standard lead-free reflow profile. The module is com-
patible with standard lead-free solder reflow profiles. To
avoid damaging the module, the following recommen-
dations are given:
• Refer to the solder paste data sheet for specific
reflow profile recommendations
• Use no-clean flux solder paste
• Do not wash as moisture can be trapped under
the shield
• Use only one flow. If the PCB requires multiple
flows, apply the module on the last flow
FIGURE 1-3:
MODULE DETAILS
2014 Microchip Technology Inc.
Advance Information
DS70005173A-page 5