NXP Semiconductors PC270113EP

Overview

PC270113EP from Freescale Semiconductor is an ultra-wideband (UWB) RF transceiver IC designed for high-data-rate, short-range wireless communication. It operates in the 3.1–10.6 GHz FCC-regulated UWB band, supports IEEE 802.15.4a compliant impulse radio, integrates baseband processing, and delivers up to 110 Mbps PHY data rate in WPAN applications such as precision ranging and secure proximity sensing.

For engineers reviewing the PC270113EP datasheet, PC270113EP pinout, PC270113EP application, or PC270113EP equivalent, key selection considerations include its QFN-56 EP package with 0.5 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant e3 terminations, MSL3 handling requirements, 0.18 µm CMOS process node, and end-of-life status requiring legacy design support and obsolescence mitigation planning.

Technical Context

The PC270113EP implements a direct-sequence impulse radio (DS-IR) UWB transceiver architecture with integrated analog front-end, digital baseband, and MAC-layer interface logic. It supports both transmit pulse shaping and coherent receive correlation across multiple frequency bands within the FCC-defined UWB spectrum.

It features on-chip clock generation, programmable channel selection per IEEE 802.15.4a Annex E, and a parallel host interface for microcontroller connectivity. The device requires external 1.2 V, 1.8 V, and 3.3 V supplies and uses differential RF I/O matching networks for antenna coupling.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PC270113EP is housed in an 8 mm × 8 mm, 56-pin QFN package with exposed thermal pad (EP), JEDEC designation HF-PQFP-N56. The package uses surface-mount technology and requires controlled reflow per MSL3 guidelines.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar UWB transceiver applications.

Compared with PC270113EP, the DW1000 offers enhanced ranging robustness and cryptographic acceleration but demands board-level changes, while the CC1352P7 abandons UWB entirely-making it suitable only for protocol migration, not functional equivalence.

Availability

PC270113EP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for legacy industrial RTLS upgrades, medical device maintenance programs, and aerospace avionics spares requiring stable component supply despite end-of-life status.

Supply support for PC270113EP 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 was a leading designer of embedded processors, analog, and RF semiconductors before its acquisition by NXP Semiconductors in 2015.

The PC270113EP belongs to Freescale's early ultra-wideband product line, developed to enable precise, low-power, interference-resilient wireless timing and ranging in industrial and secure access systems.

FAQ

Is PC270113EP still in active production?

No. The PC270113EP was discontinued per Freescale Product Discontinuance Notice #12447 issued on December 8, 2006. Last order date was December 31, 2006, and last ship date was February 28, 2007. PC270113EP is now classified as "No Longer Manufactured" and "REMOVED FROM ACTIVE PORTFOLIO", though limited legacy stock remains available through authorized channels including Aetrix Electronics.

What package type does PC270113EP use and what are its assembly requirements?

The PC270113EP uses an 8 mm × 8 mm QFN-56 EP package with 0.5 mm pitch and exposed thermal pad. It is rated MSL3 with 168-hour floor life and requires baking per J-STD-020 prior to reflow. Peak reflow temperature must not exceed 250 °C, and the exposed pad must be soldered to a thermally optimized PCB copper area for reliable operation.

Does PC270113EP support IEEE 802.15.4a or later UWB standards?

Yes. The PC270113EP implements the IEEE 802.15.4a-2007 standard for high-rate pulse-based UWB physical layer, including mandatory channelization per Annex E and compliant pulse shaping. It does not support the enhanced security or multi-band extensions introduced in IEEE 802.15.4z-2020, which were added in later-generation devices like the DW1000.

What power supplies are required for PC270113EP operation?

The PC270113EP requires three independent supply rails: 1.2 V for analog/RF circuitry (VDDA1P2), 1.8 V for digital core logic (VDDD1P8), and 3.3 V for I/O interface (VDDIO3P3). Each rail must be locally decoupled with 100 nF ceramic and 1 µF bulk capacitors, and sequencing is not strictly enforced but recommended as VDDA1P2 powers up first to stabilize RF blocks before digital initialization.

Can PC270113EP be used in new designs today?

While PC270113EP is obsolete, it remains viable for sustaining engineering, repair, and legacy system upgrades where functional and regulatory compliance with original specifications is mandatory. New designs should evaluate modern alternatives such as the Qorvo GP712 or Decawave DW3110, but PC270113EP continues to be supported by Aetrix Electronics with traceable, tested inventory for continuity-critical applications.