AU7040
High-performance sub-GHz transceiver supporting 433/868/915MHz bands with +20dBm output and -120dBm sensitivity.
Product Overview
Description
The AU7040 is a versatile sub-GHz wireless transceiver designed for long-range IoT and industrial applications. It supports 433MHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz ISM bands with programmable channel spacing.
With +20dBm maximum output power and -120dBm receive sensitivity, the AU7040 achieves industry-leading link budget for extended range communication. The integrated PA, LNA, and balun simplify RF design.
The SPI interface provides easy MCU integration. Advanced features include automatic frequency hopping, RSSI measurement, and packet handling to reduce processor overhead. The AU7040 operates from 1.8V to 3.6V supply.
Product Series
AU
Primary Application
Smart metering
Key Features
- Multi-band sub-GHz operation
- High output power +20dBm
- Excellent sensitivity -120dBm
- Integrated PA/LNA/balun
- Automatic frequency hopping
- Low power consumption
Specifications
| Frequency Bands | 433/868/915MHz |
|---|---|
| Modulation | FSK/GFSK/MSK |
| Output Power | +20dBm max |
| Sensitivity | -120dBm |
| Data Rate | 0.5-300kbps |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8-3.6V |
Applications
Smart metering
Electronic system design
Industrial sensors
Sensor signal conditioning
Remote control
Industrial automation and control
Asset tracking
Electronic system design
Wireless alarm systems
Electronic system design
FAE Expert Insights
"The AU7040 is a solid sub-GHz transceiver that I've used in several smart metering projects. The range performance is excellent - we achieved over 1km in suburban environments with just a simple whip antenna. The integrated balun saves board space and BOM cost compared to discrete solutions. The automatic frequency hopping works well for interference avoidance. One tip: pay attention to the crystal load capacitance specification for best frequency accuracy. The SPI interface is straightforward, and the provided driver code works well. Overall, a cost-effective solution for long-range wireless applications."
Excellent range performance with integrated balun for cost-effective designs
— Lisa Wang, BeiLuo
Frequently Asked Questions
What antenna options work with AU7040?
The AU7040 supports various antenna types: (1) Whip antenna - simple monopole for basic applications; (2) PCB antenna - cost-effective for space-constrained designs; (3) Helical antenna - compact form factor with good performance; (4) Dipole antenna - balanced design for better performance; (5) External antenna - via U. FL connector for flexibility. The integrated balun provides single-ended 50Ω interface. For best range, use a quarter-wave whip antenna (17cm for 433MHz, 8.5cm for 915MHz) with proper ground plane. PCB antennas require careful design following reference layouts.
Use whip antenna for best range, PCB antenna for cost-sensitive designs.
How do I achieve regulatory compliance?
The AU7040 supports regulatory compliance in major markets: (1) FCC Part 15 - USA, 902-928MHz band with proper duty cycle; (2) ETSI EN 300 220 - Europe, 433MHz and 868MHz bands; (3) ARIB STD-T67 - Japan; (4) SRRC - China. The device includes features to help compliance: programmable output power, listen-before-talk, and duty cycle limiting. For certification, you'll need to test your complete product including antenna. Aurasemi provides test reports and can assist with regulatory questions. Contact LiTong FAE for certification support.
AU7040 supports FCC, ETSI, ARIB compliance; contact FAE for certification support.
What is the maximum communication range?
The AU7040 provides excellent range performance: (1) Open field - up to 2km at 433MHz with +20dBm output and whip antenna; (2) Urban environment - 200-500m depending on building density and obstacles; (3) Indoor - 50-100m through walls and floors; (4) Factors affecting range - antenna type, output power setting, data rate, and environmental conditions. Lower data rates provide longer range and better penetration through obstacles. For maximum range, use +20dBm output, 433MHz frequency, and a high-quality whip antenna with proper ground plane.
Up to 2km open field at 433MHz; 200-500m urban; use lower frequency for best range.
How does frequency hopping work?
The AU7040 supports automatic frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS): (1) The transceiver automatically switches between multiple channels in a pseudo-random sequence; (2) Channel spacing is programmable (typically 25kHz or 50kHz); (3) Hop rate is configurable from 1 to 100 hops per second; (4) Synchronization is maintained between transmitter and receiver through a shared seed value; (5) FHSS improves interference immunity and allows multiple systems to coexist. The device handles all hopping logic internally, reducing MCU overhead. Configure the channel list and hop rate through SPI registers.
FHSS improves interference immunity; configure channel list and hop rate via SPI.
What data rates are supported?
The AU7040 supports multiple data rates to balance speed and range: (1) 0.6kbps - maximum range, best sensitivity (-120dBm); (2) 1.2kbps - long range applications; (3) 2.4kbps - balance of range and speed; (4) 4.8kbps - typical IoT applications; (5) 9.6kbps - higher throughput; (6) 19.2kbps - 38.4kbps - high data rate with reduced range. Lower data rates provide better sensitivity and longer range. Select the lowest data rate that meets your throughput requirements for best range performance.
Use lowest data rate for maximum range; select based on throughput requirements.