868MHz transceiver boosts power for range

The BiM3B radio transceiver module, from UK RF specialist Radiometrix, is an enhanced higher power replacement for the already established BiM3A-869-64. There are two frequency variants available within the European unlicensed SRD band. One offers 5mW of output power (with no duty cycle restriction), and the other can produce a 25mW output (with a 1% duty cycle restriction on 868.30MHz) drawing only 35mA to transmit and 17mA to receive.

These modules support datarates of up to 64Kbit/s.

The receiver sensitivity is -101dBm for 1ppm BER (ie at full speed) and -104dBm for 1ppm BER (10Kbit/s variant).

These specifications allow operating distances of up to 300m to be covered.

The BiM3B fits into a compact, low-profile 33 x 23 x 5mm package, thus helping to keep the space impact on designs utilising it to a minimum.

It complies with both the EN300 220 and EN301 489 European harmonised standards.

It can be used in all manner of applications; ranging from portable terminals requiring shorter antennas to applications requiring near-continuous transmission in a band other than 433MHz.