User's Manual

© 2008 Microchip Technology Inc. Advance Information DS00000A-page 5
MRF24J40MA
1.0 DEVICE OVERVIEW
The MRF24J40MA is a 2.4 GHz IEEE Std. 802.15.4™
compliant, surface mount module with integrated crystal,
internal voltage regulator, matching circuitry and PCB
antenna. The MRF24J40MA module operates in the
non-licensed 2.4 GHz frequency band and is FCC, IC,
and ETSI compliant. The integrated module design frees
the end user from extensive RF, antenna design, and
regulatory compliance testing and allows quicker time to
market.
Figure 1-1 shows a simplified block diagram of the
MRF24J40MA module. The module is based on the
Microchip Technology MRF24J40 IEEE 802.15.4™ 2.4
GHz RF Transceiver chip. The module interfaces to
many popular Microchip PIC® microcontrollers via a 4-
wire serial SPI interface, interrupt, wake, reset, power
and ground. The module has an integrated PCB
antenna and matching circuitry all in a compact size.
The MRF24J40MA module is compatible with
Microchip's ZigBee®, MiWi, and MiWi P2P software
stacks. Each software stack is available as a free
download, including source code, from the Microchip
web site http://www.microchip.com/wireless.
The MRF24J40MA module has received regulatory
approvals for modular devices in the United States
(FCC), Canada (IC) and Europe (ETSI). Modular
approval removes the need for expensive RF and
antenna design and allows the end user to place the
MRF24J40MA module inside a finished product and not
require testing for an intentional radiator (RF
transmitter). See Section 4.0 “Regulatory Approval”
for specific requirements to be followed by the end user.
This user's guide describes the installation, pin out, and
voltage requirements for optimum operation of the
module. Data communications with the MRF24J40MA
module is documented in the MRF24J40 IEEE
802.15.4™ 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver Data Sheet
(DS39776). Refer to the MRF24J40 data sheet for
specific serial interface protocol and register definitions.
FIGURE 1-1: MRF24J40MA BLOCK DIAGRAM
PCB
Antenna
Matching
Circuitry
Physical
MAC
Discrete
Interface
Power
Management
SPI
20 MHz
Crystal
Digital
I/O
Power
MRF24J40MA IEEE Std. 802.15.4 Module
MRF24J40