IrDA transceiver is smallest available

-- EDN, 4/13/2000

An infrared data transceiver from Calibre Inc is the smallest IrDA module on the market, according to the company. The CHX1200 (picture) measures 6.8x2.8x2.2 mm high. The module operates from a 2.7 to 3.6V supply and typically draws 95 µA supply current. In conformance with the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) spec for serial infrared data exchange, the CHX1200 transfers data at 112.5 kbps at distances as long as 20 cm. The module integrates an infrared emitter, a PIN photodiode detector, a digital ac-coupled LED driver, and a differential receiver/decoder. A single capacitor is the only necessary external component. You can use the CHX1200 to replace larger devices from a number of suppliers. The pinout matches that of several larger devices, so you need make no board changes. Calibre provides full software support for the CHX1200, including xConnect and CalibreConnect, two packages that facilitate IrDA data connections. The module costs $1.75 (100,000).

Calibre Inc, 1-408-573-3921, www.calibre-inc.com. Circle No. 493

-by Bill Travis