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Optimum Technology Matching® Applied
GaAs HBT
InGaP HBT
GaAs MESFET
SiGe BiCMOS
Si BiCMOS
SiGe HBT
GaAs pHEMT
Si CMOS
Si BJT
GaN HEMT
Functional Block Diagram
RF MICRO DEVICES®, RFMD®, Optimum Technology Matching®, Enabling Wireless Connectivity™, PowerStar®, POLARIS™ TOTAL RADIO™ and UltimateBlue™ are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. BLUETOOTH is a trade-
mark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., U.S.A. and licensed for use by RFMD. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2006, RF Micro Devices, Inc.
Product Description
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
Ordering Information
BiFET HBT
LDMOS
TXP
TXN
RXBN
LNA_MODE
VCC
ANT_SEL
ANT2
ANT
GND
VCC
VCC_BAIS
TXCT
RXBP
VCC
RXCT
TX_EN
GND
ANT1
NC
16
17
19
20
21 4
7
8
9
10
121315
18
5
6
11
3
RX_EN
14
GND
RF6525
3.0V TO 4.2V, 2.4GHz FRONT END MODULE
The RF6525 integrates a complete solution in a single Front End Module (FEM) for
ZigBee® applications in the 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz band. This FEM integrates the PA
plus harmonic filter in the transmit path and the LNA with bypass mode in the
receive side. It also integrates a diversity switch and provides balanced input and
output signals for both the TX and RX paths respectively.
The RF6525 FEM is ideal for ZigBee® systems operating with a minimum output
power of 20dBm and high efficiency requirements. On the receive path, the RX
Chain provides 11.5dB of typical gain with only 7mA of current and excellent NF of
2.5dB. This FEM meets or exceeds the system requirements for ZigBee® applica-
tions operating in the 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz band. The device is provided in a 3.5mm x
3.5mm x 0.5mm, 20-pin QFN package.
Features
TX Output Power: 22dBm
RX Gain: 11.5dB
RX NF: 2.5dB
Integrated RF Front End
Module with TX/RX balun, PA,
Filter, LNA with Bypass Mode
and DP2T Switch.
Dual Differential Transceiver
Interface.
Applications
ZigBee® 802.15.4 Based
Systems for Remote
Monitoring and Control
2.4GHz ISM Band
Applications
Smart Meters for Energy
Management
RF6525SQ Standard 25 piece bag
RF6525SR Standard 100 piece reel
RF6525TR13 Standard 2500 piece reel
RF6525PCK-410 Fully assembled evaluation board with 5 loose pieces
DS111110
Package Style: QFN, 20-Pin, 3.5mmx3.5mmx0.5mm
2 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter Rating Unit
DC Supply Voltage 5 V
Operating Case Temperature -40 to +85 °C
Storage Temperature -40 to +150 °C
ESD Human Body Model RF Pins 1000 V
ESD Human Body Model All Other
Pins
500 V
ESD Charge Device Model All Pins 500 V
Moisture Sensitivity Level MSL 2
Maximum Input Power to PA and
LNA (No Damage in High Gain
Mode)
+5 dBm
Parameter Specification Unit Condition
Min. Typ. Max.
Overall
Specifications must be met across supply voltage,
control voltage, and temperature ranges unless oth-
erwise noted. Typical conditions: T=25°C,
VCC=3.6V, TX_EN=High
Operating Frequency Range 2400 2483 MHz
Operating Voltage (VCC) 3.0 3.6 4.2 V
Leakage Current 0.5 uA VCC=3.6V, RF=OFF, TX_EN= Low, RX_EN=Low.
LNA_EN, ANT_SEL, and LNA Mode=Low.
Transmit Parameters
Frequency 2400 2483 MHz
Input Return Loss -13 -9.6 dB Over all conditions for both Antenna 1 and Antenna
2
Amplitude Imbalance -1 1 dB
Phase Imbalance -15 15 deg
Output Return Loss -14 -9.6 dB Over all conditions for both Antenna 1 and Antenna
2
Gain 25 28 dB At rated power and nominal conditions
Gain Variation -1.5 +1.5 dB Over temperature
Gain Flatness -1 +1 dB Over frequencies and voltage
Rated Output Power 20 22 dBm
19 dBm VCC=2.6V, VCC_Bias=3.0V
Supply Current 200 230 mA PO=22dBm 802.15.4 OQPSK. Typical Conditions.
Supply Current 175 205 mA PO=20dBm 802.15.4 OQPSK.
Thermal Resistance 53 °C/W VCC = 3.6V, POUT = 22dBm, TREF = 85°C
2nd Harmonic Level -45 -42 dBm/MHz Measured using standard 802.15.4 OQPSK modula-
tion signal at POUT=20 dBm over temperature, fre-
quency, and voltage
3rd Harmonic Level -45 -42 dBm/MHz Measured using standard 802.15.4 OQPSK modula-
tion signal at POUT=20 dBm over temperature, fre-
quency, and voltage
VSWR Stability and Load
Mismatch Susceptibility
4:1 No spurs above -45dBm
VSWR No Damage 8:1
Caution! ESD sensitive device.
Exceeding any one or a combination of the Absolute Maximum Rating conditions may
cause permanent damage to the device. Extended application of Absolute Maximum
Rating conditions to the device may reduce device reliability. Specified typical perfor-
mance or functional operation of the device under Absolute Maximum Rating condi-
tions is not implied.
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by RF Micro Devices, Inc. ("RFMD") for its use, nor for any
infringement of patents, or other rights of third parties, resulting from its use. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of
RFMD. RFMD reserves the right to change component circuitry, recommended appli-
cation circuitry and specifications at any time without prior notice.
RFMD Green: RoHS compliant per EU Directive 2002/95/EC, halogen free
per IEC 61249-2-21, < 1000ppm each of antimony trioxide in polymeric
materials and red phosphorus as a flame retardant, and <2% antimony in
solder.
3 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
Parameter Specification Unit Condition
Min. Typ. Max.
Transmit Parameters,
cont.
Gain Settling Time 1 2 uS
Current Sourced through
TXCT Pin
18.0 mA
Voltage Drop from TXCT Pin
to TXP/TXN
0.1 V
Receive Parameters
(LNA Mode)
Frequency 2400 2483 MHz
Gain 8 11.5 14 dB From antenna to RX pin (entire RX path). (All condi-
tions.)
Noise Figure 2.5 3.5 dB From antenna to RX pin (entire RX path).
Current 8 12 mA LNA + Switches
Input IP3 5 10 dBm At nominal conditions
Gain Flatness -0.7 0.7 dB over frequency
Input Return Loss 10 dB
Output Return Loss 8 dB
Amplitude Imbalance -1 1 dB Differential RX Port
Phase Imbalance -15 15 deg On 180 degrees typical, differential RX Port
Current Sourced through
RXCT Pin
1mA
Voltage Drop from RXCT Pin
to RXP/RXN
0.05 0.1 V
ByPass Mode
Frequency 2400 2483 MHz
Insertion Loss 5 7 dB Entire RX path
Noise Figure 5 dB Entire RX path
Current 5 uA ANT1
50 uA ANT2
IIP3 18 dBm Nominal
Gain Flatness -0.1 0.1 dB over frequency
Input Return Loss 15 12 dB
Output Return Loss 9.5 8 dB
Amplitude Imbalance -1 1 dB Differential RX Port
Phase Imbalance -15 15 deg On 180 degrees typical, differential RX Port
Current Sourced through
RXCT Pin
1mA
Voltage Drop from RXCT Pin
to RXP/RXN
0.05 0.1 V
Antenna Switch
RF-to-Control Isolation 50 dB Measured at any control pin while in TX or RX mode.
RF-to-ANT Isolation 17 20 dB Measured from Antenna to RX port while in Transmit
mode. Measured from Antenna to TX port while in
Receive mode.
RF-to-RF Isolation 18 20 dB Measured from TX port to RX port while in receive or
transmit modes.
Switch Control Logic = HIGH =VCC-0.3 =VCC V All Logic I/O’s
Switch Control Logic = LOW 0.0 0.2 V All Logic I/O’s
4 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
Switch Control Current. Logic
HIGH
25A All Logic I/O’s
Switch Control Current. Logic
LOW
0.1 A All Logic I/O’s
Antenna Select Switch Speed 1 uS ANT1 or ANT2 path, TX or RX mode
5 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
Pin Function Description
1LNA_MODE
Bypass enable pin. See logic table for operation.
2VCC
Voltage Supply. An external 1uF capacitor might be needed for low frequency decoupling.
3ANT_SEL
Control pin for Antenna select. See logic table for operation.
4TX_EN
Enable voltage pin for the PA and Transmit switch. See logic table for operation.
5RX_EN
Enable voltage pin for the LNA and Receive switch. See logic table for operation
6ANT2
This is the common port (antenna). It is matched to 50Ω and DC-block is provided internally.
7GND
Ground.
8ANT1
This is the common port (antenna). It is matched to 50Ω and DC-block is provided internally
9GND
Ground.
10 VCC Voltage Supply. An external 1uF capacitor might be needed for low frequency decoupling
11 NC No connect pin. Must be left floating.
12 VCC Voltage Supply. An external 1uF capacitor might be needed for low frequency decoupling
13 VCC_BIAS Voltage Supply. An external 1 uF capacitor might be needed for low frequency decoupling
14 GND Ground.
15 TXCT Center tap for passing thru DC voltage to TXN and TXP pins that connect to the TXVR SoIC.
16 TXN 100 single-ended, 200Ω differential.
17 TXP 100 single-ended, 200Ω differential.
18 RXCT Center tap for passing thru DC voltage to RXBN and RXBP pins that connect to the TXVR SoIC.
19 RXBN 100 single-ended, 200Ω differential.
20 RXBP 100 single-ended, 200Ω differential.
7 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
RF6525 Biasing Instructions
TX Mode
• With the RF source disabled, apply 3.3V to VCC with other control set to 0V
• Set VTX=High, keeping VRX and LNA_MODE at 0V
• Apply 0V to ANT_SEL to select the ANT1 port, or 2.8V to select the ANT2 port
•V
CC current should rise to 70mA to 80mA quiescent current
• Enable the RF source; VCC current should rise to a maximum of 200mA depending on output power
RX LNA Mode
• With the RF source disables, apply 3.3V to VCC with other controls set to 0V
• Set VRX=High to RX Enable and LNA_MODE, keeping TX at 0V
• Apply 0V to ANT_SEL to select the ANT1 port, or 2.8V to select the ANT2 port
•V
CC current should rise to 7mA to 8mA
• Enable the RF source; VCC current may increase a few mA depending on output power
RX Bypass Mode
• With the RF source disabled, apply 3.3V to VCC with other controls set to 0V
• Set VRX=High, keeping TX and LNA_MODE at 0V
• Apply 0V to ANT_SEL to select the ANT1 port, or 2.8V to select the ANT2 port
•V
CC current should be in the uA range
• Enable the RF source; VCC current should remain in the uA range
Logic Table
Mode TX_EN RX_EN LNA_MODE ANT_SEL
TX-ANT1 HIGH LOW LOW LOW
TX_ANT2 HIGH LOW LOW HIGH
RX-ANT1 LNA LOW HIGH HIGH LOW
RX-ANT1 BYP LOW HIGH LOW LOW
RX-ANT2LNA LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH
RX-ANT2 BYP LOW HIGH LOW HIGH
All OFF LOW LOW LOW LOW
Operating currents at nominal conditions
8 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
Evaluation Board Schematic
TXP
TXN
RXBN
AN
T
RXBP
16
17
19
20
21 4
7
8
9
10
12
1315
18
5
6
11
3
14
RXCT
TXCT
VBATT
NC
ANT
ANT2
LNA_MODE
Balun
Balun
VBATT
ANT_SEL
TX_EN RX_EN
0.1uF
3.0nH
4.3nH
1.8nH
0.1uF
1uF
Balun
100 Ohms
100 Ohms
100 Ohms
100 Ohms
50 Ohms
Balun
50 Ohms
50 Ohms
50 Ohms
9 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
PCB Design Requirements
PCB Surface Finish
The PCB surface finish used for RFMD's qualification process is electroless nickel, immersion gold. Typical thickness is 3inch
to 8 inch gold over 180inch nickel.
PCB Land Pattern Recommendation
PCB land patterns for RFMD components are based on IPC-7351 standards and RFMD empirical data. The pad pattern shown
has been developed and tested for optimized assembly at RFMD. The PCB land pattern has been developed to accommodate
lead and package tolerances. Since surface mount processes vary from company to company, careful process development is
recommended.
PCB Metal Land and Solder Mask Pattern
Thermal vias for center slug “C” should be incorporated into the PCB design. The number and size of thermal vias will depend
on the application, the power dissipation, and this electrical requirements. Example of the number and size of vias can be
found on the RFMD evaluation board layout.
10 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
RF6525 2.4 GHz Front End Module
Input Power versus Output Power
Gain versus Output Power
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
Input Power (dBm)
Output Power (dBm)
Input Power versus Output Power
Vcc = 3.3V; TX_EN = 3.0V
2400 MHz
2441.5 MHz
2483 MHz
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
Input Power (dBm)
Output Power (dBm)
Input Power
versus
Output Power
(Over T emperature @ 2441.5 MHz)
Vcc = 3.3V; TX_EN = 3.0V
-40 C
25 C
85 C
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
Gain (dB)
Output Power (dBm)
Gain versus Output Power
Vcc = 3.3V; TX_EN =3.0V
2400 MHz
2441.5 MHz
2483 MHz
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
Gain (dB)
Output Power (dBm)
(Over T emperature @ 2441.5 MHz)
Vcc = 3.3V; TX_EN = 3.0V
-40 C
25 C
85 C
Gain versus Output Power
11 of 11
RF6525
DS111110
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or sales-support@rfmd.com.
RF6525 2.4 GHz Front End Module
Operating Current versus Output Power
TX S21 versus Frequency
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
Operating Current (A)
Output Power (dBm)
Operating Current vs Output Power
Vcc = 3.3V; TX_EN = 3.0V
2400 MHz
2441.5 MHz
2483 MHz
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
Operating Current (A)
Output Power (dBm)
Operating Current vs Output Power
(Over Temperature @ 2441.5 MHz)
Vcc = 3.3V; TX_EN = 3.0V
-40 C
25 C
85 C
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2400
2441.5
2483
2500
S21 (dB)
Frequency (MHz)
TX S21 vs Frequency
(Over Temperature )
Vcc = 3.3V; T X_EN =3.0V
-40 C
25 C
85 C
