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ATmega128RFA1
3.3 Unused Pins
Floating pins can cause power dissipation in the digital input stage. They should be
connected to an appropriate source. In normal operation modes the internal pull-up
resistors can be enabled (in Reset all GPIO are configured as input and the pull-up
resistors are still not enabled).
Bi-directional I/O pins shall not be connected to ground or power supply directly.
The digital input pins TST and CLKI must be connected. If unused pin TST can be
connected to AVSS while CLKI should be connected to DVSS.
Output pins are driven by the device and do not float. Power supply pins respective
ground supply pins are connected together internally.
XTAL1 and XTAL2 shall never be forced to supply voltage at the same time.
3.4 Compatibility to ATmega1281/2561
The basic AVR feature set of the ATmega128RFA1 is derived from the
ATmega1281/2561. Address locations and names of the implemented modules and
registers are unchanged as long as it fits the target application of a very small and
power efficient radio system. In addition, several new features were added.
Backward compatibility of the ATmega128RFA1 to the ATmega1281/2561 is provided
in most cases. However some incompatibilities between the microcontrollers exist.
3.4.1 Port A and Port C
Port A and Port C are not implemented. The associated registers are available but will
not provide any port control. Remaining ports are kept at their original address location
to not require changes of existing software packages.
3.4.2 External Memory Interface
The alternate pin function “External Memory interface” using Port A and Port C is not
implemented due to the missing ports.
The large internal data memory (SRAM) does not require an external memory and the
associated parallel interface. It keeps the system radiation (EMC) at a very small level
to provide very high sensitivity at the antenna input.
3.4.3 High Voltage Programming Mode
Alternate pin function BS2 (high voltage programming) of pin PA0 is mapped to a
different pin. Entering the parallel programming mode is controlled by the TST pin.
3.4.4 AVR Oscillators and External Clock
The AVR microcontroller can utilize the high performance crystal oscillator of the
2.4GHz transceiver connected to the pins XTAL1 and XTAL2. An external clock can be
applied to the microcontroller using the clock input CLKI.
3.4.5 Analog Frontend
The ATmega128RFA1 has a new A/D converter. Software compatibility is basically
assured. Nevertheless to benefit from the higher conversion speeds and the better
performance some changes are required.
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4 Application Circuits
4.1 Basic Application Schematic
A basic application schematic of the ATmega128RFA1 with a single-ended RF
connector is shown in
Figure 4-1 below and the associated Bill of Material in Table 4-1
on page 9. The 50 single-ended RF input is transformed to the 100 differential RF
port impedance using Balun B1. The capacitors C1 and C2 provide AC coupling of the
RF input to the RF port, capacitor C4 improves matching.
Figure 4-1. Basic Application schematic (64-pin package)
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
5657585960616263
AREF
AVSS
AVSS
RFP
RFN
AVSS
TST
DVSS
DVDD
DVDD
XTAL2
DEVDD
DVSS
AVDD
EVDD
AVSS
XTAL1
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
PB0
DVSS
PE0
PB7
CB3
CB4
RSTN
V
DD
XTAL
CX1 CX2
CB1
V
DD
CB2
C1
C2
B1
RF
C4
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
16
14
13
12
11
10
9
15
64
5455 4950515253
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
RSTON
XTAL
32kHz
CX3 CX4
CLKI
DEVDD
DVSS
DEVDD
PE7
DVSS
DEVDD
PF0
PF7
PG0
PG5
PD0
PD7
Pins TST & CLKI
must be connected
The power supply bypass capacitors (CB2, CB4) are connected to the external analog
supply pin (EVDD, pin 59) and external digital supply pin (DEVDD, pin 23). Pins 34, 44
and 54 supply the digital port pins.
Floating pins can cause excessive power dissipation (e.g. during power on). They
should be connected to an appropriate source. GPIO shall not be connected to ground
or power supply directly.
The digital input pins TST and CLKI must be connected. If pin TST will never be used it
can be connected to AVSS while an unused pin CLKI could be connected to DVSS (see
chapter "Unused Pins" on page 7).
Capacitors CB1 and CB3 are bypass capacitors for the integrated analog and digital
voltage regulators to ensure stable operation and to improve noise immunity.
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Capacitors should be placed as close as possible to the pins and should have a low-
resistance and low-inductance connection to ground to achieve the best performance.
The crystal (XTAL), the two load capacitors (CX1, CX2), and the internal circuitry
connected to pins XTAL1 and XTAL2 form the 16MHz crystal oscillator for the 2.4GHz
transceiver. To achieve the best accuracy and stability of the reference frequency, large
parasitic capacitances must be avoided. Crystal lines should be routed as short as
possible and not in proximity of digital I/O signals. This is especially required for the
High Data Rate Modes.
The 32.768 kHz crystal connected to the internal low power (sub 1µA) crystal oscillator
provides a stable time reference for all low power modes including 32 Bit IEEE 802.15.4
Symbol Counter ("MAC Symbol Counter") and real time clock application using the
asynchronous timer T/C2 ("Timer/Counter2 with PWM and Asynchronous Operation").
Total shunt capacitance including CX3, CX4 should not exceed 15pF across both pins.
The very low supply current of the oscillator requires careful layout of the PCB and any
leakage path must be avoided.
Crosstalk and radiation from switching digital signals to the crystal pins or the RF pins
can degrade the system performance. The programming of minimum drive strength
settings for the digital output signal is recommended (see "DPDS0 - Port Driver
Strength Register 0").
Table 4-1. Bill of Materials (BoM)
Designator Description Value Manufacturer Part Number Comment
B1 SMD balun
SMD balun / filter
2.4 GHz Wuerth
Johanson
Technology
748421245
2450FB15L0001
Filter included
CB1
CB3
LDO VREG
bypass capacitor
1 µF
(100nF minimum)
AVX
Murata
0603YD105KAT2A
GRM188R61C105KA12D
X5R
(0603)
10% 16V
CB2
CB4
Power supply bypass
capacitor
1 µF
(100nF minimum)
CX1, CX2
16MHz crystal load
capacitor
12 pF
AVX
Murata
06035A120JA
GRP1886C1H120JA01
COG
(0603)
5% 50V
CX3, CX4 32.768kHz crystal load
capacitor
12 … 25 pF
C1, C2
RF coupling capacitor
22 pF
Epcos
Epcos
AVX
B37930
B37920
06035A220JAT2A
C0G 5% 50V
(0402 or 0603)
C4 (optional)
RF matching 0.47 pF Johnstech
XTAL Crystal CX-4025 16 MHz
SX-4025 16 MHz
ACAL Taitjen
Siward
XWBBPL-F-1
A207-011
XTAL 32kHz Crystal Rs=100 kOhm
4.2 Extended Feature Set Application Schematic
The ATmega128RFA1 supports additional features like:
Security Module (AES)
High Data Rate Mode up to 2MBits/s
Antenna Diversity using alternate pin function DIG1/2 at Port G and F

ATMEGA128RFA1-ZF

Mfr. #:
Manufacturer:
Microchip Technology / Atmel
Description:
RF Microcontrollers - MCU 2.4GHZ 802.15.4 128K SOC Industrial
Lifecycle:
New from this manufacturer.
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