Atmel ZIGBIT ATZB-X0-256-4-0-CN User manual

ZIGBIT 900 MHZ WIRELESS MODULES
ATZB-X0-256-4-0-CN
DATASHEET
Features
Compact size (38.5 x 20.0 mm)
High RX sensitivity (-103 dBm)
Outperforming link budget (up to +112 dB)
Up to +9.0 dBm output power
Very low power consumption:
8.7 mA in RX mode (1)
34.8 mA in TX mode (1)
0.6 µA in sleep mode (2)
Ample memory resources (256K Bytes In-System, Self-Programmable Flash
memory, 4K Bytes EEPROM, 16K Bytes SRAM)
Wide range of interfaces (both analog and digital)
4- wire SPI, TWI
ISP, JTAG
2 Analog comparator Input
UART, USART
Timer, PWM
4 ADC lines
External Clock Input, Internal Clock Output
Upto 32 lines configurable as GPIO
Preassigned Atmel®MAC address that can be used on end product
Capability to use MAC address into the internal EEPROM
IEEE®802.15.4 compliant Transceiver
900MHz ISM band
Serial bootloader
High Performance Low power AVR XMEGA 8/16-bit Microcontroller
Rapid design-in with built-in Chip Antenna
RF Test point using MS-147 RF connector
Small physical footprint and low profile for optimum fit in very small application
boards
Mesh networking capability
Easy-to-use low cost development kit
Single source of support for HW and SW
Worldwide license-free operation

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
2
Note: 1. MCU is in active state with 3V Supply, CPU clock @ 16MHz, RX RPC enabled (for RX current),
PHY_TX_PWR=0x0 (for TX current), All digital outputs pulled high.
Note: 2. Controller Sleep Mode –SLEEP_MODE_PWR_DOWN
Table of Contents
1. Introduction........................................................................................3
1.1 Summary...........................................................................................................3
1.2 Applications.......................................................................................................3
1.3 Abbreviations and acronyms.............................................................................3
1.4 Related documents...........................................................................................4
2. ZigBit Module Overview .....................................................................6
2.1 Overview...........................................................................................................6
3. Specification.......................................................................................8
3.1 Electrical Characteristics...................................................................................8
3.1.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings................................................................8
3.1.2 Power Supply......................................................................................8
3.1.3 RF Characteristics ..............................................................................9
3.1.4 ATXMEGA256A3U Microcontroller Characteristics..........................10
3.1.5 Module Interfaces Characteristics.....................................................10
3.2 Physical/environmental characteristics and outline.........................................10
3.3 Pin configuration .............................................................................................11
3.4 Antenna Orientation Recommendation...........................................................12
3.5 Mounting information.......................................................................................12
3.6 Soldering profile..............................................................................................12
3.7 Antenna reference designs.............................................................................13
4. Section 4..........................................................................................13
4.1.1 General recommendations................................................................13
5. Persistence Memory ........................................................................14
Ordering information..................................................................................................15
6. Agency Certifications .......................................................................16
6.1 United States (FCC)........................................................................................16
6.2 Industry Canada (IC) Compliance statements ................................................16
Appendix A. Revision history ........................................................... 18

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
3
1. Introduction
1.1 Summary
ATZB-X0-256-4-0-CN ZigBit®is an ultra-compact and low-power 900 MHz IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee®OEM module from
Atmel®. Based on the innovative mixed-signal hardware platform from Atmel, this module uses the ATXMEGA256A3U
[1] Microcontroller and AT86RF212B [5] 700/800/900 MHz ISM band Transceiver. The radio transceiver provides high
data rates from 20 kb/s up to 1 Mb/s, frame handling, outstanding receiver sensitivity and high transmit output power
enabling a very robust wireless communication. The module is designed for wireless sensing, monitoring, control, data
acquisition applications, to name a few. This ZigBit module eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming RF
development, and shortens time-to-market for wireless applications.
The module has an MS-147 RF connector that can be used as an RF test port. The built-in chip antenna is designed
and tuned for the ZigBit design to enable quick integration of the ZigBit into any application.
1.2 Applications
The ZigBit module is compatible with robust IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee stack that supports a self-healing, self-organizing
mesh network, while optimizing network traffic and minimizing power consumption.
For detailed Software support information, please visit www.atmel.com/wireless
The applications include, but are not limited to:
Building automation & monitoring
oLighting controls
oWireless smoke- and CO-detectors
oStructural integrity monitoring
HVAC monitoring & control
Inventory management
Environmental monitoring
Security
Water metering
Industrial monitoring
oMachinery condition and performance monitoring
oMonitoring of plant system parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow, tank level, humidity, vibration, etc.
Automated meter reading (AMR)
1.3 Abbreviations and acronyms
ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter
API Application Programming Interface
DC Direct Current
DTR Data Terminal Ready
EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
ESD Electrostatic Discharge
GPIO General Purpose Input/Output
HAF High Frequency

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
4
HVAC Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning
HW Hardware
I2C Inter-Integrated Circuit
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IRQ Interrupt Request
ISM Industrial, Scientific and Medical radio band
JTAG Digital interface for debugging of embedded device, also known as IEEE 1149.1 standard
interface
MAC Medium Access Control layer
MCU Microcontroller Unit. In this document it also means the processor, which is the core of a ZigBit
module
NRE Network layer
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
OTA Over-The-Air upgrade
PA Power Amplifier
PCB Printed Circuit Board
PER Package Error Ratio
RAM Random Access Memory
RF Radio Frequency
RPC Reduced Power Consumption
RTS/CTS Request to Send/ Clear to Send
RX Receiver
SMA Surface Mount Assembly
SoC System on Chip
SPI Serial Peripheral Interface
SW Software
TTM Time-To-Market
TX Transmitter
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
USART Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
USB Universal Serial Bus
ZigBee, ZigBee PRO Wireless networking standards targeted at low-power applications
802.15.4 The IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard applicable to low-rate wireless Personal Area Network
1.4 Related documents
[1] ATXMEGA256A3U Datasheet in http://www.atmel.com/devices/ATXMEGA256A3U.aspx?tab=documents
[2] MS-147 Series Interface RF Connector with Switch, 3.9mm High, DC to 6GHz
http://www.hirose.co.jp/cataloge_hp/e35801505.pdf

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
5
[3] IEEE Std 802.15.4-2003 IEEE Standard for Information technology - Part 15.4 Wireless Medium Access Control
(MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications for Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (LR-WPANs)
[4] ZigBee Specification. ZigBee Document 053474r17, October 19, 2007
[5] AT86RF212B Datasheet in http://www.atmel.com/devices/AT86RF212B.aspx?tab=documents

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
6
2. ZigBit Module Overview
2.1 Overview
The ATZB-X0-256-4-0-CN ZigBit is a compact, low-power, high sensitivity IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee OEM module. Based
on a solid combination of the latest Atmel MCU Wireless hardware platform, 900 MHz ISM band transceiver and Atmel
Studio Wireless Composer - the ZigBit offers an unmatched combination of superior radio performance, ultra-low power
consumption and exceptional ease of integration.
Figure 2-1. ATZB-X0-256-4-0-CN user interface diagram
.
This ZigBit module contains Atmel’s ATXMEGA256A3U Microcontroller and AT86RF212B 900 MHz ISM band
Transceiver for ZigBee and IEEE 802.15.4 [1]. The module features 256KB In-System Self-Programmable flash
memory, 16KB SRAM and 4KB EEPROM.
The compact all-in-one board design of MCU and Radio Transceiver with very minimal components on the RF path to
Antenna dramatically improves the ZigBit’s compact size, range performance on signal transmission and increases its
sensitivity. This ensures stable connectivity within a larger coverage area, and helps develop applications on smaller
footprint. The MS-147 connector [2] can be used as an RF Test port.
ZigBit Module contains a complete RF/MCU design with all the necessary passive components included. The module
can be easily mounted on a simple 2-layer PCB with a minimum of required external connection. The ZigBit Module
Evaluation kit containing the ZigBit Extension board for the Atmel Xplained PRO HW Evaluation platform can be used to
develop FW using the Atmel Studio and evaluate using the Wireless Composer. Compared to a custom RF/MCU
solution, a module-based solution offers considerable savings in development time and NRE cost per unit during the
HW/FW design, prototyping, and mass production phases of product development.
All ZigBits are preloaded with a Bootloader when they are sold as Modules, either in Single units or T&R.

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
7
Depending on end-user design requirements, the ZigBit can operate as a self-contained sensor node, where it would
function as a single MCU, or it can be paired with a host processor driving the module over a serial interface.
The MAC stack running on the host processor can then control data transmission and manages module peripherals.
Thus very minimal firmware customization is required for successful module design-in. Third-party sensors can then be
connected directly to the module, thus expanding the existing set of peripheral interfaces.
Every ZigBit Module come pre loaded with Atmel assigned 64-bit MAC address stored in the signature bytes of the
device. This unique IEEE MAC address can be used as the MAC address of the end product, so there is no need to buy
a MAC address separately for the product using the ZigBit.

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
8
3. Specification
3.1 Electrical Characteristics
3.1.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings
Table 3-1. Absolute Maximum Ratings (1)(2)
Parameter
Minimum
Maximum
Voltage on any pin, except RESET with respect to ground
-0.3V
3.6V (VDD max)
Input RF level
+10 dBm
Current into Vcc pins
200 mA
Notes: 1. Absolute Maximum Ratings are the values beyond which damage to the device may occur. Under no
circumstances must the absolute maximum ratings given in this table be violated. Stresses beyond those listed
under "Absolute Maximum Ratings" may cause permanent damage to the device.
This is a stress rating only. Functional operation of the device at these or other conditions, beyond those indicated
in the operational sections of this specification, is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for
extended periods may affect device reliability.
2. Attention! ZigBit is an ESD-sensitive device. Precaution should be taken when handling the device in order to
prevent permanent damage.
3.1.2 Power Supply
Table 3-2. Test Conditions (unless otherwise stated), Vcc = 3V, Tamb = 25°C.
Parameter
Range
Unit
Supply voltage, VDD
1.8 to 3.6
V
Active Current consumption: RX mode + Max sensitivity
14.5
mA
Active Current consumption: RX mode + Least sensitivity
13.9
mA
Active Current consumption: RX mode + Max sensitivity, MCU Sleep
9.3
mA
Active Current consumption: RX mode + Least sensitivity, MCU Sleep
8.7
mA
Active Current consumption: TX mode (1) –BUSY_TX –Transmit state with max output power
34.8
mA
Current consumption: TRX_OFF, MCU Active
6.1
mA
Current consumption: TRX_OFF, MCU Sleep
740
µA
Sleep Current consumption: TRX Sleep, MCU Sleep
0.6
µA
Note 1: Output TX power (when measuring consumption in TX mode) is +9 dBm.
Note 2:
a) All interfaces are set to the default state (see Pin Assignment Table).
b) JTAG is not connected.
c) CPU Clock configured when doing this measurement –16MHz for all modes except Power save and Power down
modes
Current consumption depends on multiple factors, including but not limited to, the board design and materials, Protocol settings,
network activity, EEPROM read/write operations. It also depends on MCU load and/or peripherals used by an application.

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
9
3.1.3 RF Characteristics
Table 3-3. RF Characteristics (1).
Parameter
Condition
Range
Unit
Frequency band –FCC and Industry Canada*
902 –928
MHz
Numbers of channels (FCC and Industry
Canada)
10
Channel spacing
2
MHz
Transmitter output power
Adjusted in 36 steps
-25 to +11
dBm
Receiver sensitivity
PER = 1%
-103
dBm
On-air data rate
20, upto 1000
Kbps
TX output/ RX input nominal impedance
For balanced
50
Ω
Range
Open field, LoS,
Elevated
1120
m
Note# Range measured is Line of Sight at 10ft elevation from Ground at different combinations of orientation of transmitter
and receiver, with special conditions were there is minimal or no RF interference from other sources. For best case
orientation of the ZigBits to achieve maximum range, refer to section Error! Reference source not found..
Note *Appropriate FW (Register selection) must be used for operating this ZigBit in North America.
Table 3-4. TX power settings
PHY_TX_PWR 3:0
Register value
Power register setting [dBm]
Output power [dBm] (typical values at RF
connector)
C0
11
8.59
C1
10
8.14
80
9
7.43
82
8
5.85
83
7
4.97
84
6
4.1
40
5
3.58
86
4
2.12
00
3
1.4
01
2
0.42
02
1
-0.93
03
0
-2.09
04
-1
-3.16
27
-2
-4.29
91
-6
-7.86
0D
-10
-12.27
15
-18
-19.51
1D
-25
-26.82
Note 1: For detailed characteristics, please refer [2]

ATZB-X0-256-4-0-C [ZigBit 900 MHz Wireless Modules]
10
3.1.4 ATXMEGA256A3U Microcontroller Characteristics
Table 3-5. ATXMEGA256A3U Characteristics.
Parameter
Condition
Range
Unit
On-chip flash memory size
256K
Bytes
On-chip RAM size
16K
Bytes
On-chip EEPROM size
4K
Bytes
Operation frequency
16
MHz
3.1.5 Module Interfaces Characteristics
Table 3-6. Module Interfaces Characteristics (1).
Parameters
Condition
Range
Unit
UART maximum baud rate
115.2
Kbps
ADC conversion time (latency)
(RES+2)/2+(GAIN !=0)
RES (Resolution) = 8 or
12
5-8
ClkADC cycles
ADC input resistance
Static load resistor of
input signal
4.0
kΩ
ADC reference voltage (VREF)
1.0 to AVcc –0.6
V
ADC input voltage
0 - AVDD
V
TWI maximum clock
400
kHz
GPIO High level input voltage
Vcc = 2.7-3.6V
2 to Vcc+0.3
V
GPIO Low level input voltage
Vcc = 2.7-3.6V
-0.3 to 0.3 VDD
V
GPIO High level output voltage VOH
Vcc = 3.0-3.6V
2.4 to 0.94Vcc
V
GPIO Low level output voltage VOL
Vcc = 3.0-3.6V
0.05Vcc typ
Max 0.4
V
Real-time oscillator frequency
32.768
kHz
Note 1: For detailed characteristics, please refer [1].
3.2 Physical/environmental characteristics and outline
Table 3-7. Physical characteristics.
Parameters
Value
Comments
Size
38.5 x 20.0 mm
Operating temperature range
-40°C to +85°C
-40°C to +85°C operational