NXP Semiconductors MC13202FCR2

Overview

MC13202FCR2 from Freescale Semiconductor is a 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4-compliant short-range transceiver IC with integrated PHY, -92 dBm receive sensitivity (1% PER), 250 kbps O-QPSK data rate, and QFN-32 package. It serves as the RF front-end and physical layer modem in ZigBee® and proprietary wireless sensor networks for residential automation, industrial monitoring, and healthcare telemetry.

For engineers reviewing the MC13202FCR2 datasheet, MC13202FCR2 pinout, MC13202FCR2 application, or MC13202FCR2 equivalent, key selection considerations include its SPI-controlled 2.4 GHz transceiver function, programmable output power (-27 to +3 dBm), integrated T/R switch, 7 GPIOs, and support for packet/streaming data transfer modes with sub-µA hibernate current.

Technical Context

The MC13202FCR2 implements a complete 802.15.4 PHY using dual down-conversion (65 MHz IF, then 1 MHz IF), differential chip detection, and DSSS O-QPSK demodulation. Its synthesizer employs an internal VCO with PLL and supports 16 selectable 2.4 GHz channels spaced at 5 MHz.

It integrates analog regulators (VDDA, VDDLO1/2, VDDVCO), digital regulators (VDDINT, VDDD), and a trimmable 16 MHz crystal oscillator - eliminating external tuning capacitors. The device operates in five power modes: Off (<1 µA), Hibernate (1.0 µA), Doze (35 µA), Idle (500 µA), and active RX/TX (30–37 mA).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC13202FCR2 uses a 5 mm × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch QFN-32 package with exposed thermal pad (EP), per document #98ASA00473D. Pinout conforms to Freescale's MC13202 Rev. 1.5 specification and supports both internal T/R switch (RFIN_P/M) and external PA/LNA configurations (PAO_P/M).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver applications.

Compared with CC2530F256RHAT and AT86RF233-ZU, the MC13202FCR2 offers unique balance: dedicated transceiver functionality with SPI host flexibility, integrated T/R switch for compact antenna design, and proven interoperability with Freescale's HCS08/BeeStack ecosystem - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, MCU-diverse 802.15.4 deployments.

Availability

MC13202FCR2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for residential automation, industrial asset tracking, and healthcare telemetry requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for MC13202FCR2 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

Freescale Semiconductor (now part of NXP Semiconductors) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in embedded processing, connectivity, and analog solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The MC13202FCR2 belongs to Freescale's 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver product line, designed specifically to enable low-cost, low-power wireless sensor networks with seamless integration into HCS08-based platforms and ZigBee-compliant stacks.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MC13202FCR2 in a wireless system?

The MC13202FCR2 serves as a standalone 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4-compliant transceiver IC, implementing the complete physical layer (PHY) including O-QPSK modulation/demodulation, spread-spectrum encoding/decoding, and RF front-end functions. It interfaces to an external host MCU via SPI and does not contain an embedded processor - unlike SoC alternatives such as CC2530. Its role is strictly RF signal conversion and packet handling.

Does the MC13202FCR2 require an external crystal oscillator?

Yes, the MC13202FCR2 requires a 16 MHz fundamental-mode crystal connected between XTAL1 and XTAL2. However, it includes an onboard crystal oscillator circuit with digital trim capability - eliminating the need for external load capacitors or variable tuning components. The oscillator meets ±40 ppm stability over temperature and voltage to satisfy IEEE 802.15.4 timing requirements.

How does the MC13202FCR2 manage power consumption in battery-operated devices?

The MC13202FCR2 supports three ultra-low-power states: Off mode (<1 µA leakage), Hibernate (1.0 µA with retained register state), and Doze (35 µA with crystal running). These modes are controlled via SPI registers and triggered by ATTN or RXTXEN signals. Combined with programmable output power and SPI-driven packet buffering, this enables multi-year battery life in sensor nodes with infrequent transmission intervals.

Can the MC13202FCR2 drive an antenna directly, or does it require external RF components?

The MC13202FCR2 supports both configurations. With its integrated T/R switch, it drives a single-ended antenna directly via RFIN_P/M pins - requiring only a balun and matching network. Alternatively, when using external PA/LNA, the PAO_P/M pins provide differential RF outputs that must be interfaced through bias networks and external switches. The CT_Bias pin supplies control voltage for external components in the latter configuration.

What software and protocol stack support is available for the MC13202FCR2?

Freescale provides three tiers of software for the MC13202FCR2: Simple MAC (SMAC) for proprietary point-to-point/star networks, full IEEE 802.15.4 MAC supporting mesh and GTS, and BeeStack - a certified ZigBee-compliant protocol stack with AES-128 security. All stacks are optimized for HCS08 MCUs but can be ported to other architectures via the standardized SPI interface of the MC13202FCR2.