Analog Devices Inc. EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z

Overview

EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z from Analog Devices is a fully assembled, production-ready evaluation board for the ADF7023 ultralow-power ISM-band FSK/GFSK/OOK/MSK/GMSK transceiver IC. It supports 862–928 MHz and 431–464 MHz operation, delivers −116 dBm receiver sensitivity at 1 kbps, enables programmable RF output from −20 dBm to +13.5 dBm (single-ended), and integrates an on-chip 8-bit RISC processor for packet management and smart wake mode - deployed in smart metering and IEEE 802.15.4g wireless sensor networks.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z datasheet, EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z pinout, EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z application, or EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z equivalent, this page provides verified hardware interface details, SPI-controlled radio configuration support, integrated crystal oscillator and PA matching networks, battery voltage monitoring, temperature sensing, and AES-128/192/256 firmware module execution capability - all validated for rapid prototyping of low-power sub-GHz wireless links.

Technical Context

The EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z implements the full signal chain of the ADF7023 transceiver IC: it routes the 26 MHz crystal oscillator (XOSC26P/XOSC26N) and 32.768 kHz sleep clock (XOSC32KP/XOSC32KN), provides matched single-ended RF output via RFO2 and differential RF I/O via RFIO_1P/RFIO_1N, and exposes all 8 GPIO pins (Pins 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 27, plus two additional) for host control and interrupt signaling.

It supports all ADF7023 low-power modes - including PHY_SLEEP with 0.33 µA Deep Sleep Mode 1 - via configurable LDOs (LDO1–LDO4), on-board battery monitor (ADCIN_ATB3), and temperature sensor readback through the integrated 8-bit ADC. The board includes SPI interface signals (SCLK, MOSI, MISO, CS, IRQ_GP3) routed to a standard 10-pin header compatible with Analog Devices' SDP (System Development Platform) controllers.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart metering, wireless sensor network (WSN) development, and IEEE 802.15.4g protocol validation requiring stable component supply, pre-characterized RF performance, and out-of-box SPI interoperability with host microcontrollers.

Supply support for EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z 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, serving industrial, communications, automotive, and healthcare markets since 1965.

The EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z belongs to Analog Devices' RF & Microwave Evaluation Platform family, designed specifically to accelerate development of ultra-low-power, license-free sub-GHz wireless systems compliant with ETSI EN300-220, FCC Part 15, and SRD regulatory requirements.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z?

The EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z is a fully assembled evaluation board for the ADF7023 transceiver IC. It enables rapid hardware validation and firmware development for sub-GHz wireless applications. The board provides all necessary RF matching, clock sources, power regulation, and SPI interface connectivity - allowing engineers to immediately test packet transmission, smart wake mode, AES encryption, and RSSI-based carrier sensing without custom PCB design. EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z requires no additional RF components to operate.

Does the EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z support both 433 MHz and 868 MHz bands simultaneously?

No - the EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z is configured for one frequency band at a time. It includes pre-tuned matching networks optimized for either the 431–464 MHz band or the 862–928 MHz band, as specified in its ordering variant. Band selection is fixed at manufacturing; switching bands requires physical rework of RF components or use of a different board variant. The ADF7023 IC itself supports both bands, but EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z hardware implements only one.

Can the EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z be used with external microcontrollers other than Analog Devices' SDP boards?

Yes - the EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z exposes standard 4-wire SPI signals (SCLK, MOSI, MISO, CS) and IRQ_GP3 interrupt on a 10-pin header with 0.1″ spacing. Any microcontroller supporting SPI master mode and capable of generating clean 3.3 V logic-level signals can interface directly. Pinout and timing are fully documented in the ADF7023 datasheet Rev. C, and no proprietary protocol or adapter is required to operate EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z.

What low-power features of the ADF7023 are accessible via the EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z?

All ADF7023 low-power modes are fully accessible: PHY_SLEEP (0.33 µA in Deep Sleep Mode 1), smart wake mode using internal 32.768 kHz crystal or RC oscillator, autonomous carrier sense, and packet sniffing while host MCU remains asleep. The EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z includes dedicated battery monitor (ADCIN_ATB3) and temperature sensor connections, enabling real-time power budgeting and thermal-aware sleep scheduling - critical for battery-powered WSN and smart metering deployments using EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z.

Is AES encryption supported on the EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z out of the box?

AES-128/192/256 encryption is implemented in the ADF7023 IC and enabled on EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z via downloadable firmware modules. The board includes the required memory map and SPI interface to load the AES module into program RAM. However, the AES module binary must be obtained separately from Analog Devices and loaded during initialization - it is not pre-installed. Once loaded, EVAL-ADF7023DB2Z executes hardware-accelerated AES operations with zero host CPU overhead.