Semtech¹s Latest RF Transceiver Sets a New Standard for Low Current and High Performance

CAMARILLO, Calif., July 25, 2012 — Semtech Corporation. (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, today expanded its RFIC platform with the new SX1232, a fully integrated, high performance, low current sub-GHz RF transceiver. The device offers significant advantages in range, battery life, and link robustness in the presence of interference making it ideal for applications such as smart metering, security system, remote access, sensor networks, and home/building automation.

The SX1232 overcomes the typical conundrum of achieving high performance and low current consumption simultaneously. The SX1232 delivers market leading performance for adjacent channel selectivity (54dB), sensitivity (-123dBm@1.2kbps), image rejection (48dB w/ 1% PER), and phase noise (-102dBc/Hz@10kHz, 915MHz) for significantly lower receive current (9.3mA) than competing devices. In many applications the range is limited by IIP3 or the linearity of the receiver front-end caused by mixing products of strong out of band interferers. The SX1232 transceiver delivers ultra-low receive current without compromising the IIP3 performance. With the highest gain and maximum sensitivity the IIP3 performance is -12dBm making it the most robust and reliable solution under any condition.

For applications requiring range the SX1232 offers an integrated +20dBm amplifier coupled with a sensitivity of -123dBm at 1.2kbps providing a typical link budget of 143dB. This high link budget and ultra-fast frequency hopping time makes it ideal for frequency hopping applications as the SX1232 can scan the entire 902-928MHz band without ever exiting receive mode. The synthesizer settling time of 20usec for a 1MHz frequency step and RSSI sampling capability on a fraction of a bit time makes it the fastest solution for frequency hopping applications.

The SX1232 supports GFSK, FSK, GMSK, and OOK modulation and is designed to support WMBus, IEEE 802.15.4g (SUN), FCC 15.247, ARIB T96/108, EN 300-220 as well as other worldwide standards and regulations. The SX1232 will be the basis for Semtech¹s future product line based on a new modulation scheme that will deliver four to eight times range advantage versus existing systems with a low cost bill of materials (BOM).

³The SX1232 extends Semtech¹s position as the performance and low power leader for RF Transceivers. Delivering the longest range and the most robust link performance for the lowest power is the key focus for Semtech¹s Wireless Product Line² said Alain Dantec, Senior Vice President of Wireless and Sensing Products.

Key Features of the SX1232

+20 dBm maximum output power
-123dBm sensitivity at 1.2kbps
Low current consumption

9.3mA RX current
100nA sleep current
30mA TX current at +13dBm

Bit rates up to 300 kbps
-12dBm IIP3
54dB adjacent channel selectivity
56dB image attenuation
1.8 to 3.7 V supply range
Ultra-fast frequency hoping
WMBus, 802.15.4g(SUN), ARIB T96/108 compatible
ETSI, FCC, and ARIB compliant

Applications

Automated Meter Reading
Wireless Sensor Networks
Home and Building Automation
Wireless Alarm and Security Systems
Industrial Monitoring and Control

Pricing and Availability

The SX1232 (order code: SX1232IMLTRT) is available immediately in production quantities and is priced at $1.75 each in 10,000-piece lots. Semtech offers comprehensive design assistance, including field- and factory-based support. Data sheets, volume pricing, and delivery quotes, as well as evaluation kits and samples, are available atwww.semtech.com/info.

About Semtech

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for high-end consumer, computing, communications and industrial equipment. Products are designed to benefit the engineering community as well as the global community. The company is dedicated to reducing the impact it, and its products, have on the environment. Internal green programs seek to reduce waste through material and manufacturing control, use of green technology and designing for resource reduction. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol SMTC. For more information, visithttp://www.semtech.com.