Micrel Inc. has launched what it claims to be the world's first programmable receiver featuring jam avoidance—the MICR F218—targeted at garage door openers and tire pressure monitoring systems. The device is an integrated ASK/OOK receiver with selectable IF bandwidth for 300MHz to 450MHz operation. The MICRF218 can escape from a jamming source and migrate to an alternate frequency.
The MICRF218 can accommodate two reference crystals with the use of an external switch. It features a fully integrated IF section with built-in image rejection. The IF section has dual IF bandwidths that are externally selectable. In addition, a wide IF bandwidth can be chosen for backward compatibility with older transmitters that are LC-based. Wide IF bandwidth allows the receiver to capture a signal that slightly deviates from the intended communication frequency, or one can select a narrow IF bandwidth that operates with a crystalbased transmitter to improve selectivity to increase communication distance.