User Manual

© 2011 Microchip Technology Inc. Preliminary DS00000A-page 3
MRF24J40MC
1.0 DEVICE OVERVIEW
The MRF24J40MC 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
50Ω external antenna connector. The MRF24J40MC
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 MRF24J40MC module is compatible with
Microchip’s ZigBee
®
, and MiWi™ Development
Environment software stacks. The MiWi Development
Environment software stack is available as a free
download, including source code, from the Microchip
web site: http://www.microchip.com/wireless.
The MRF24J40MC 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 MRF24J40MC module inside
a finished product and not require regulatory testing for
an intentional radiator (RF transmitter). To maintain
conformance, refer to module settings in Section 3.1.1,
MRF24J40MC SETTINGS for the United States and
Section 3.2.1, MRF24J40MC SETTINGS for Canada.
The MRF24J40MC module has been tested and
conforms to ETS EN 300 328 V1.7.1 (2006-10)
European Standards. The module tests can be applied
toward final product certification and Declaration of
Conformity (DoC). To maintain conformance, refer to
module settings in Section , . Additional testing may be
required depending on the end application.
1.1 Interface Description
Figure 1-1 shows a simplified block diagram of the
MRF24J40MC 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
®
microcontrollers
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
MRF24J40MC module are documented in the
“MRF24J40 IEEE 802.15.4™ 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver
Data Sheet” (DS39776). Refer to the “MRF24J40 Data
FIGURE 1-1: PIC18FXXXX BLOCK DIAGRAM
TABLE 1-1: PIN DESCRIPTION
Pin Symbol Type Description
1 GND Ground
Ground
2 RESET
DI
Global hardware Reset pin
Legend: Pin type abbreviation: D = Digital, I = Input, O = Output
Antenna
U.FL
PA
Physical
MAC
Interface
Power
Management
SPI
20 MHz
Crystal
Digital
I/O
Power
PIC18FXXXX IEEE Std. 802.15.4™ Module
MRF24J40
LNA
Connector