Analog Devices Inc. EV-ADF70301-169BZ

Overview

EV-ADF70301-169BZ from Analog Devices is an evaluation board designed to validate the ADF7030-1 sub-GHz radio transceiver IC in the 169.4–169.6 MHz band. It supports IEEE 802.15.4g and Wireless M-Bus (EN 13757-4), delivers −134.3 dBm sensitivity at 0.1 kbps, features dual PAs (−20 to +17 dBm), and integrates a 26 MHz TCXO for stable timing-used in smart metering RF link characterization.

For engineers reviewing the EV-ADF70301-169BZ datasheet, EV-ADF70301-169BZ pinout, EV-ADF70301-169BZ application, or EV-ADF70301-169BZ equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of long-range, low-power ISM-band wireless systems compliant with ETSI EN 300 220-1 and FCC Part 15.

Technical Context

The EV-ADF70301-169BZ implements a dedicated 169 MHz band configuration using separate transmit/receive matching networks and a 26 MHz thermally compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO). It validates the ADF7030-1's dual-PA architecture, programmable receiver channel bandwidth (2.6–406 kHz), and ARM Cortex-M0–managed packet handling-including FEC, dual-sync word detection, and clear channel assessment (CCA).

This board supports both generic packet mode and IEEE 802.15.4g MR-FSK PHY operation, with measured performance including 97 dB blocking at ±20 MHz offset, −121.3 dBm sensitivity at 2.4 kbps (AFC enabled), and spurious emissions <−70 dBc in transmit mode-fully aligned with EN 54-25 and ARIB STD-T108 regulatory test conditions.

Key Specifications

Availability

EV-ADF70301-169BZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart metering, industrial sensor networking, building automation, and wireless M-Bus system development requiring stable component supply and pre-validated RF performance.

Supply support for EV-ADF70301-169BZ 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

Analog Devices, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing semiconductors, headquartered in Norwood, MA.

The EV-ADF70301-169BZ belongs to Analog Devices' RF transceiver evaluation platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate time-to-certification for battery-operated, long-range sub-GHz IoT and utility infrastructure applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EV-ADF70301-169BZ evaluation board?

The EV-ADF70301-169BZ evaluation board is a hardware platform designed to evaluate and prototype the ADF7030-1 radio transceiver IC in the 169.4–169.6 MHz frequency band. It provides full access to all device interfaces, includes calibrated RF front-end matching, integrates a 26 MHz TCXO, and supports IEEE 802.15.4g and Wireless M-Bus protocols. Engineers use the EV-ADF70301-169BZ to verify link budget, regulatory emission profiles, and system-level timing before final PCB design.

Does the EV-ADF70301-169BZ support FCC or ETSI certification testing?

Yes, the EV-ADF70301-169BZ is explicitly validated for compliance with ETSI EN 300 220-1, EN 13757-4, FCC Part 15, and ARIB STD-T108. Its 169 MHz band configuration, TCXO reference, and pre-tuned matching network enable repeatable measurement of spurious emissions (<−70 dBc), occupied bandwidth (7.8 kHz at 4.8 kbps), and blocking performance (97 dB at ±20 MHz)-all critical for formal certification submissions using the EV-ADF70301-169BZ as a reference platform.

Can the EV-ADF70301-169BZ be used with other ADF7030-1 frequency variants?

No-the EV-ADF70301-169BZ is optimized exclusively for the 169.4–169.6 MHz band and uses a fixed, band-specific RF matching network and TCXO layout. It does not support 433 MHz, 868 MHz, or 915 MHz operation. For those bands, Analog Devices provides dedicated boards: EV-ADF70301-460BZ (426–470 MHz), EV-ADF70301-868BZ (863–870 MHz), and EV-ADF70301-915BZ (902–928 MHz). Each variant requires its own matching and calibration-interchangeability is not supported.

What host interface options are available on the EV-ADF70301-169BZ?

The EV-ADF70301-169BZ provides a standard 4-wire SPI interface (SCLK, MOSI, MISO, SS) for configuring and controlling the ADF7030-1, plus an 8-bit configurable GPIO bus accessible via header pins. All signals are 3.3 V tolerant and directly compatible with common microcontrollers (e.g., ARM Cortex-M series) without level shifters. The board also includes interrupt outputs and status LEDs tied to key radio states (RX/TX/READY), enabling real-time debug visibility during EV-ADF70301-169BZ operation.

Is firmware or software provided with the EV-ADF70301-169BZ?

Yes-Analog Devices supplies the SmartMesh® SDK and ADF7030-1 Software Reference Manual alongside the EV-ADF70301-169BZ. These include production-ready drivers, IEEE 802.15.4g stack modules, packet error rate (PER) test utilities, and GUI-based configuration tools. Firmware executes on the ADF7030-1's embedded ARM Cortex-M0 core, offloading baseband processing from the host MCU. All software is freely downloadable from analog.com and fully compatible with the EV-ADF70301-169BZ hardware revision.