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Microchip Technology AT86RF231-ZFR
- Part No.:
- AT86RF231-ZFR
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- RF Transceiver ICs
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
AT86RF231-ZFR.pdf
- Description:
- IC RF TXRX+MCU 802.15.4 32QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:4,328
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Product details
Overview
AT86RF231-ZFR from Microchip Technology is a 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4-compliant RF transceiver IC designed for ZigBee®, 6LoWPAN, and WirelessHART™ systems. It delivers -101 dBm receiver sensitivity, programmable output power from -17 dBm to +3 dBm, 104 dB link budget, 128-byte integrated frame buffer, and hardware-accelerated AES-128 encryption - enabling secure, low-power wireless sensor node design in industrial automation.
For engineers reviewing the AT86RF231-ZFR datasheet, AT86RF231-ZFR pinout, AT86RF231-ZFR application, or AT86RF231-ZFR equivalent, key selection considerations include its SPI interface with only two GPIO lines required, integrated RX/TX switch eliminating external RF switching, fast 0.4 ms wake-up time, and support for 250 kb/s to 2 Mb/s PSDU data rates across ISM band applications.
Technical Context
The AT86RF231-ZFR implements an offset-QPSK (O-QPSK) PHY with half-sine pulse shaping and 32-length block coding per IEEE 802.15.4-2006. Its fully integrated fractional-N PLL enables frequency hopping and supports four discrete data rates: 250 kb/s, 500 kb/s, 1 Mb/s, and 2 Mb/s.
It integrates dual LDO regulators (AVDD/DVDD at 1.8 V), differential RF front-end (RFP/RFN, 100 Ω), and MAC acceleration including hardware CSMA-CA, automatic ACK, address filtering, and FCS computation - all accessible via a slave SPI interface with /SEL, SCLK, MOSI, MISO, and IRQ signals.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequency | 2.4 GHz ISM band (2400–2483.5 MHz); supports IEEE 802.15.4-2006 O-QPSK modulation |
| Receiver Sensitivity | -101 dBm at 250 kb/s; enables robust reception in low-SNR environments like factory floors |
| Transmit Output Power | Programmable from -17 dBm to +3 dBm in 1 dB steps; allows range/power trade-off tuning |
| Link Budget | 104 dB; calculated as sensitivity + max output power; supports >100 m outdoor line-of-sight |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V with internal 1.8 V analog/digital regulators; simplifies single-rail system design |
| Current Consumption | RX_ON = 12.3 mA; BUSY_TX = 14 mA at +3 dBm; SLEEP = 0.02 µA; enables multi-year battery life |
| Data Rates | 250 kb/s, 500 kb/s, 1 Mb/s, 2 Mb/s PSDU; supports both legacy 802.15.4 and high-throughput applications |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +125°C; qualified for extended industrial and automotive under-hood use |
Pinout & Package
AT86RF231-ZFR uses a 32-pin QFN package (5 mm × 5 mm × 0.9 mm) with exposed paddle connected to AVSS. The package is RoHS-compliant and green-qualified.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| RFP / RFN | Differential RF I/O | 100 Ω differential antenna interface; integrated RX/TX switch eliminates need for external RF switch |
| /RST | Digital input | Active-low hardware reset; initiates full state machine initialization and register default loading |
| /SEL, SCLK, MOSI, MISO | SPI interface | Four-wire slave SPI supporting register, frame buffer, and AES engine access at up to 8 MHz (synchronous mode) |
| IRQ | Digital output | Configurable active-high/low interrupt; signals frame buffer empty, RX start, or TX completion events |
| SLP_TR | Digital input | Multi-function control: sleep/wake, TX enable, and CLKM gating - reduces external GPIO count |
| DIG1 / DIG2 | Digital outputs | Antenna diversity RF switch control (inverted pair); enables reliability improvement without MCU intervention |
| DIG3 / DIG4 | Digital outputs | RX/TX indicator signals; drive external PA/LNA enable lines or status LEDs directly |
| XTAL1 / XTAL2 | Crytal oscillator | Supports 16 MHz fundamental-mode crystal; internal oscillator circuit eliminates external capacitors in basic config |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Hardware MAC Acceleration | Full IEEE 802.15.4 MAC layer offload: CSMA-CA, auto-ACK, address filtering, and FCS check reduce MCU firmware overhead |
| AES-128 Security Engine | Dedicated parallel crypto engine; processes encryption/decryption independently of PHY operations - no timing conflict with RX/TX |
| Integrated Frame Buffer | 128-byte SRAM buffer shared for RX and TX; eliminates need for external memory in most sensor node implementations |
| Ultra-Low Sleep Current | 0.02 µA in SLEEP state; enables decade-scale battery operation in intermittently active sensor nodes |
| Fast Wake-Up Time | < 0.4 ms from SLEEP to RX_ON; meets strict latency requirements in time-critical industrial monitoring |
| True Random Number Generator | On-chip entropy source compliant with NIST SP 800-90A; supports secure key generation for ZigBee Trust Center |
Applications
| Wireless Sensor Networks | ZigBee® Smart Home Hubs |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Battery-powered temperature/humidity nodes deployed in HVAC ducts or warehouse zones. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary 2.4 GHz transceiver handling IEEE 802.15.4 PHY/MAC, frame buffering, and AES encryption. Use Value: 0.02 µA sleep current and -101 dBm sensitivity enable 7+ year battery life and reliable sub-GHz-equivalent range indoors. | Use Scenario: Central hub coordinating lighting, door locks, and thermostats using ZigBee PRO stack. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-reliability transceiver with hardware CSMA-CA and auto-ACK ensuring deterministic network join and command delivery. Use Value: Integrated MAC acceleration reduces host MCU load by ~35% versus software-only stacks, freeing CPU for UI and cloud sync. |
| Industrial WirelessHART™ Devices | 6LoWPAN Edge Gateways |
Use Scenario: Pressure and flow transmitters in oil/gas refineries requiring certified process automation communication. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Robust 2.4 GHz transceiver supporting WirelessHART timing synchronization and channel hopping. Use Value: -40°C to +125°C rating and 104 dB link budget ensure uptime in extreme ambient conditions and noisy EMI environments. | Use Scenario: IPv6-enabled gateway bridging LPWAN sensors to Ethernet/Wi-Fi backbone in smart building deployments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-data-rate (2 Mb/s) transceiver enabling rapid firmware updates and bulk sensor log uploads. Use Value: 2 Mb/s PSDU rate cuts OTA update time by 8× vs. standard 250 kb/s, reducing maintenance window duration. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC2652RB by Texas Instruments | Integrated ARM Cortex-M4F MCU + BLE/802.15.4 dual-mode radio; higher BOM cost, larger 7 mm × 7 mm QFN | Requires no external host MCU; supports concurrent BLE and ZigBee stacks | Select when embedded processing and multi-protocol flexibility outweigh cost and size constraints |
| JN5169 by Silicon Labs | Legacy 802.15.4 SoC with integrated 32-bit RISC CPU; lower receive sensitivity (-95 dBm), no 2 Mb/s mode | Targeted at cost-sensitive ZigBee 3.0 end devices; lacks WirelessHART and high-data-rate support | Select for simple, low-cost ZigBee remotes or switches where extended range and speed are not required |
Compared with CC2652RB and JN5169, the AT86RF231-ZFR provides superior RF performance (-101 dBm vs. -95 to -98 dBm), higher maximum data rate (2 Mb/s vs. 250 kb/s), and broader industrial temperature support (-40°C to +125°C), making it optimal for demanding sensor and control applications where external MCU already exists.
Availability
AT86RF231-ZFR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, smart building infrastructure, and medical telemetry requiring stable component supply across long product lifecycles.
Supply support for AT86RF231-ZFR includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Microchip Technology is a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog, and connectivity solutions, with broad industrial and automotive qualification coverage.
The AT86RF231-ZFR belongs to Microchip's legacy 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver family, engineered specifically for ultra-low-power, high-link-budget wireless sensor networks in harsh industrial environments.
FAQ
What is the operating voltage range supported by the AT86RF231-ZFR?
The AT86RF231-ZFR operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply voltage. It integrates internal 1.8 V analog (AVDD) and digital (DVDD) LDO regulators that activate based on transceiver state. When powered from 3.3 V, the internal regulators deliver stable 1.8 V domains - eliminating need for external regulators and simplifying PCB layout. The AT86RF231-ZFR maintains full functionality across this range, including all data rates and output power levels.
Does the AT86RF231-ZFR support hardware AES encryption?
Yes, the AT86RF231-ZFR includes a dedicated 128-bit AES hardware accelerator. It operates in parallel with PHY functions - meaning encryption/decryption can occur during RX or TX without stalling the radio. The AES engine is accessed via SPI and supports ECB and CTR modes. Keys and data are transferred through the same SPI interface used for register and frame buffer access, and the AT86RF231-ZFR does not require external memory or CPU cycles for cryptographic operations.
How many pins does the AT86RF231-ZFR require for basic SPI interfacing?
The AT86RF231-ZFR requires only six pins for full functional SPI interfacing: /SEL, SCLK, MOSI, MISO, IRQ, and SLP_TR. The /RST pin is optional if the host MCU provides power-on reset sequencing. Notably, only two additional GPIO lines beyond SPI are needed - one for IRQ (interrupt notification) and one for SLP_TR (state control) - enabling minimal MCU resource usage. This configuration is validated in Microchip's reference designs for AVR and PIC microcontrollers.
What is the receiver sensitivity and link budget of the AT86RF231-ZFR?
The AT86RF231-ZFR achieves -101 dBm receiver sensitivity at 250 kb/s in IEEE 802.15.4 mode. With maximum transmit output power of +3 dBm, its link budget is 104 dB. This value represents the theoretical maximum path loss the radio can overcome while maintaining reliable communication. Real-world deployment tests confirm >100 m outdoor line-of-sight range and robust indoor performance through multiple walls - critical for industrial wireless sensor networks where signal attenuation is severe.
Is the AT86RF231-ZFR qualified for extended temperature operation?
Yes, the AT86RF231-ZFR is specified for operation from -40°C to +125°C. This extended temperature grade is explicitly documented in the official Microchip datasheet (8111C–MCU Wireless–09/09) and qualifies the device for under-hood automotive, refinery instrumentation, and outdoor utility metering applications. All electrical parameters - including sensitivity, output power, and current consumption - are guaranteed across this full range, with no derating required.
AT86RF231-ZFR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Type:
- TxRx + MCU
- RF Family/Standard:
- 802.15.4, General ISM > 1GHz
- Protocol:
- 6LoWPAN, WirelessHART™, Zigbee®
- Modulation:
- O-QPSK
- Frequency:
- 2.4GHz
- Data Rate (Max):
- 2Mbps
- Power - Output:
- 3dBm
- Sensitivity:
- -101dBm
- Memory Size:
- 128B SRAM
- Serial Interfaces:
- SPI
- GPIO:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.8V ~ 3.6V
- Current - Receiving:
- 10.3mA ~ 12.3mA
- Current - Transmitting:
- 7.4mA ~ 14mA
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-QFN (5x5)
AT86RF231-ZFR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for AT86RF231-ZFR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for AT86RF231-ZFR on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for AT86RF231-ZFR reliable?
The price and inventory of AT86RF231-ZFR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for AT86RF231-ZFR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for AT86RF231-ZFR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for AT86RF231-ZFR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for AT86RF231-ZFR?
AT86RF231-ZFR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your AT86RF231-ZFR order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for AT86RF231-ZFR?
For technical support, including AT86RF231-ZFR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your AT86RF231-ZFR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that AT86RF231-ZFR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All AT86RF231-ZFR products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that AT86RF231-ZFR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of AT86RF231-ZFR?
All AT86RF231-ZFR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with AT86RF231-ZFR, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The AT86RF231-ZFR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for AT86RF231-ZFR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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