Texas Instruments CC1010PAGR

Overview

CC1010PAGR from Texas Instruments (formerly Chipcon) is a single-chip UHF RF transceiver integrating an 8051-compatible microcontroller with 32 kB Flash, 2.7–3.6 V operation, -107 dBm sensitivity at 433/868 MHz, and programmable output power up to +10 dBm - enabling compact, low-power wireless nodes for ISM-band telemetry and remote control.

For engineers reviewing the CC1010PAGR datasheet, CC1010PAGR pinout, CC1010PAGR application, or CC1010PAGR equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, validated pin functions, real-world use cases in AMR and RKE, and two confirmed alternative transceivers with documented functional trade-offs.

Technical Context

The CC1010PAGR implements a fully integrated RF transceiver with on-chip PLL synthesizer, FSK modulation, and hardware Manchester/NRZ coding - supporting data rates from 0.6 to 76.8 kbps across 300–1000 MHz. Its dual-oscillator architecture uses a 3–24 MHz main crystal and 32.768 kHz RTC crystal for precise timing and low-power sleep modes.

The embedded 8051 core delivers ~2.5× standard 8051 performance, with 26 GPIOs, dual UARTs, SPI, 3-channel 10-bit ADC, DES encryption engine, and in-circuit debugging via serial interface - all operating from a single 2.7–3.6 V supply without external voltage translation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

CC1010PAGR is housed in a 64-lead TQFP package (10 mm × 10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with separate analog/digital power and ground domains to minimize noise coupling between RF, analog, and digital sections.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RF transceiver with integrated MCU applications.

Compared with CC1010PAGR, CC1110F32RHHT offers superior sensitivity in overlapping bands but omits DES acceleration critical for secure RKE, while CC2530F256RHAT shifts to 2.4 GHz and Zigbee - eliminating compatibility with existing CC1010PAGR firmware and ISM-band infrastructure.

Availability

CC1010PAGR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for home automation sensors, remote keyless entry systems, and automatic meter reading requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial availability.

Supply support for CC1010PAGR 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

Texas Instruments acquired Chipcon in 2006 and maintains legacy support for SmartRF®02-based products like CC1010PAGR - focusing on high-integration, low-power wireless SoCs for industrial and consumer ISM-band applications.

The CC1010 product line was designed to unify RF transceiver functionality and 8051-based control in a single die - targeting cost-sensitive, battery-operated wireless endpoints where minimizing external components and certification effort is critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum data rate supported by CC1010PAGR?

The CC1010PAGR supports a maximum data rate of 76.8 kbps using NRZ coding. At this rate, it operates with FSK modulation and 65 kHz frequency separation. Lower data rates (e.g., 2.4 kBaud) yield improved receiver sensitivity (-107 dBm), making CC1010PAGR adaptable to both high-throughput telemetry and ultra-low-power periodic reporting scenarios.

Does CC1010PAGR include hardware encryption capabilities?

Yes, CC1010PAGR integrates a hardware DES encryption/decryption engine supporting Output Feedback Mode (OFB) and Cipher Feedback Mode (CFB). This enables secure challenge-response protocols in RKE systems without consuming 8051 CPU cycles - a key differentiator versus later-generation TI SoCs like CC2530 that omit DES acceleration.

What crystal frequencies are recommended for CC1010PAGR's main oscillator?

CC1010PAGR supports 3–24 MHz parallel-resonant crystals. Recommended frequencies include 3.6864, 7.3728, 11.0592, 14.7456, 18.4320, and 22.1184 MHz - selected to generate exact integer baud rates (e.g., 14.7456 MHz yields 9600 bps with zero error). Crystal accuracy must be ±50 ppm for 433 MHz or ±25 ppm for 868 MHz operation.

Can CC1010PAGR operate in the 915 MHz ISM band?

Yes, CC1010PAGR is fully programmable across 300–1000 MHz, including the 902–928 MHz US 915 MHz ISM band. Its RF front-end achieves -106 dBm sensitivity at 915 MHz (2.4 kBaud), and output power is adjustable from -20 to +4 dBm in this band - meeting FCC Part 15.247 spectral mask requirements with appropriate external filtering.

Is in-circuit debugging supported for CC1010PAGR firmware development?

Yes, CC1010PAGR supports in-circuit interactive debugging via a simple serial interface compatible with Keil µVision2 IDE. Debugging requires only two pins (PROG and RESET) and does not occupy UART or SPI resources - enabling real-time code inspection and breakpoint execution without modifying application I/O assignments.