ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO - ATmega256RFR2 Zigbee 2.4GHz Eval Board | Microchip
MPN: ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $54.34 | $54.34 |
| 10 | $51.62 | $516.20 |
| 25 | $49 | $1,225.00 |
| 50 | $46.55 | $2,327.50 |
| 100 | $44.22 | $4,422.00 |
ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO Overview
An evaluation board is a hardware development platform that lets engineers assess a semiconductor device's performance before committing to a custom PCB design. In the wireless MCU hierarchy, the ATmega256RFR2 belongs to the IEEE 802.15.4 radio transceiver category, positioned within the broader wireless system-on-chip and Zigbee development tool ecosystem. Evaluation boards typically expose all device peripherals through standard connectors and debugger interfaces.
Key features of this board include the Xplained Pro extension connector system, which allows stacking onto any Xplained Pro MCU starter kit or Xplained Pro extension board, onboard PCB antenna for 2.4 GHz operation, and support for the Atmel (now Microchip) software framework including ASF and Zigbee stacks. The Xplained Pro ecosystem provides unified debugging, data streaming via the Data Visualizer tool, and identification of extension boards through on-board EEPROM-based board ID.
The ATmega256RFR2 integrates an 8-bit AVR microcontroller core, 256 KB in-system self-programmable flash, an IEEE 802.15.4 compliant 2.4 GHz radio transceiver, and an antenna diversity-capable front end, making it well suited to single-chip Zigbee nodes without external RF components beyond simple matching.
Typical applications include Zigbee and IEEE 802.15.4 wireless sensor networks, home automation and smart energy prototyping, RF mesh network evaluation, and embedded wireless connectivity proof-of-concept designs. Developers use the board to measure RF range, link budget, power consumption, and mesh networking behavior before production design.
A key design consideration is that the RCB256RFR2-XPRO uses an onboard PCB antenna, so measurements taken on a bench reflect board-integrated antenna performance rather than an external antenna solution; RF range testing should be performed in an open environment away from metal surfaces.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, availability, and practical evaluation guidance for the ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO not consolidated in the manufacturer product page, with verified data from DigiKey, Mouser, LCSC, and Octopart.
Drop-in alternatives for ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Antenna, Product Type.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATRAT86RF233-XPRO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMR21B-XPRO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | Xplained Pro Extension Evaluation Board |
| Target Device | ATmega256RFR2 wireless MCU |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB |
| Radio Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
| Wireless Standard | IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee) |
| Antenna | Onboard PCB antenna |
| Series | Xplained Pro |
| Connector System | Xplained Pro extension connectors |
| Board ID EEPROM | Yes (Xplained Pro identification) |
| Software Support | Atmel START / ASF, Data Visualizer |
| Category (DigiKey) | RF Evaluation and Development Kits, Boards |
| Unit Price | From $54.3359 (LCSC, as of 2026-09-19) |
ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO Interfaces & Connectors
ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Wireless. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Wireless | IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO is suitable for 6 applications: Zigbee Wireless Sensor Network Prototyping, Smart Home and Home Automation Development, Industrial RF Mesh Network Evaluation, RF Link Budget and Range Testing, Embedded Connectivity Proof-of-Concept Designs, Education and University Wireless Labs.
Zigbee Wireless Sensor Network Prototyping
The ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO fits wireless sensor network prototyping because the ATmega256RFR2 integrates the 802.15.4 radio and the 256 KB-flash AVR core on one chip, eliminating inter-chip SPI latency and external RF components beyond the onboard PCB antenna. Developers can deploy two or more boards as coordinator and end-device nodes using Microchip's 802.15.4 MAC and Zigbee stack templates from ASF, then measure RSSI, link margin, and duty-cycled power consumption via the Xplained Pro Data Visualizer. Because the board uses a PCB antenna, bench results approximate production performance for small, antenna-integrated nodes. Typical consideration: 2.4 GHz only operation, so mesh designs must plan channels within the 2.4 GHz 802.15.4 band to avoid Wi-Fi interference.
Recommended
Smart Home and Home Automation Development
For smart home product development, the ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO lets engineers validate Zigbee-based lighting, sensor, and actuator designs before committing to custom PCBs. The ATmega256RFR2's 2.4 GHz 802.15.4 transceiver is the physical layer used by Zigbee Home Automation profiles, and the 256 KB flash accommodates full Zigbee PRO or Zigbee 3.0-class stack builds with application code. The Xplained Pro extension connectors allow stacking sensor extension boards (e.g., temperature, light, ambient) to create realistic multi-sensor end devices. Designers should verify radio range and coexistence with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi in the intended deployment environment early, since the PCB antenna has limited directionality. Firmware iterates rapidly through Microchip Studio with the board's EEPROM-based identification auto-loading example projects.
Recommended
Industrial RF Mesh Network Evaluation
Industrial mesh network evaluation benefits from the ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO because 802.15.4 mesh topologies require repeated range and reliability testing, which this board enables at roughly $54 per node as of 2026-09-19. The integrated transceiver in the ATmega256RFR2 supports antenna diversity concepts in the family's larger packages, and the single-chip design reduces node BOM complexity for mesh prototypes. Engineers typically deploy 5-10 boards across a factory floor to measure hop success rate, latency, and self-healing behavior using Microchip's stack. The Data Visualizer streams RSSI and network statistics to a PC for post-test analysis. A key consideration: industrial environments with metal machinery create multipath fading, so measured range from the PCB antenna will vary strongly with mounting orientation and height.
Recommended
RF Link Budget and Range Testing
The board is well suited to link-budget testing because it exposes the ATmega256RFR2 radio's RSSI measurement and transmit power settings through the ASF API and streams results over the Xplained Pro Data Visualizer interface. Engineers configure two boards as point-to-point 802.15.4 nodes, sweep transmit power and distance, and log packet error rate to build an empirical path-loss model for their environment. Because the 2.4 GHz transceiver in the ATmega256RFR2 family supports standard 802.15.4 modulation, results transfer directly to production designs using the same silicon. Important caveat: the onboard PCB antenna gain is board-layout dependent, so absolute sensitivity figures from the board should be treated as system-level, not silicon-level, measurements and compared against the ATmega256RFR2 datasheet tables.
Recommended
Embedded Connectivity Proof-of-Concept Designs
For embedded product teams adding wireless connectivity to an existing wired design, the ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO provides a low-risk proof-of-concept path. The ATmega256RFR2's AVR core can run application logic in addition to the radio stack, so a PoC can replicate the intended end-product behavior on the evaluation board without any hardware investment beyond the roughly $54 board cost. Xplained Pro extension boards add displays, sensors, or crypto peripherals to mock the final system. Once the PoC validates range, latency, and power budgets, the design migrates to a custom PCB with the ATMEGA256RFR2-ZFR production device, reusing the validated firmware largely unchanged. This board-to-silicon migration path within the same Microchip ecosystem is the main reason engineers choose this kit for early feasibility studies.
Recommended
Education and University Wireless Labs
Universities and training programs use the ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO for embedded wireless laboratory courses because the Xplained Pro ecosystem is auto-detected by Microchip Studio with free example projects, minimizing setup friction for students. The 8-bit AVR architecture is widely taught, and the integrated 802.15.4 radio allows hands-on exercises in MAC-layer scheduling, CSMA-CA, RSSI-based localization, and low-power duty cycling without purchasing separate radio modules. Each board's low unit price (about $54.34 as of 2026-09-19 at LCSC) makes per-student or per-team provisioning feasible, and the ATmega256RFR2's 256 KB flash supports full-stack assignments. Labs should note that multiple boards operating in one classroom must be assigned distinct 802.15.4 channels and PAN IDs to avoid cross-talk during experiments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATRAT86RF233-XPRO | ATSAMR21B-XPRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | Xplained Pro extension board (XPRO connector) | Xplained Pro extension board (XPRO connector) - same form factor | Xplained Pro form factor - same ecosystem |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Target Device | ATmega256RFR2 (MCU + radio single chip) | AT86RF233 (radio-only transceiver, external MCU needed) | ATSAMR21B (Cortex-M0+ + 802.15.4 radio) |
| Wireless Standard | IEEE 802.15.4 / Zigbee, 2.4 GHz | IEEE 802.15.4, 2.4 GHz | IEEE 802.15.4 / Zigbee, 2.4 GHz |
| Software Ecosystem | Microchip Studio, ASF, 802.15.4/Zigbee stacks | Microchip Studio, ASF (driver-level RF access) | Microchip Studio, ASF, SAM-family stacks |
Key Differentiators
- Single-chip wireless MCU evaluation (no external RF section) (vs ATRAT86RF233-XPRO)
- Full-stack-capable flash memory (vs ATSAMR21B-XPRO)
- Low per-node evaluation cost (vs Cross-brand 802.15.4 dev kits)
Design Notes
The onboard PCB antenna is ground-plane dependent: measured RF range on this evaluation board will differ from a custom production PCB with a different antenna implementation. When extrapolating test results to your production design, perform at least one sanity test with an elevated board in an open environment, and treat board-level sensitivity as a system figure rather than the silicon's datasheet sensitivity. Avoid placing the board on metal surfaces or near Wi-Fi access points during range tests to prevent invalid results.
To evaluate low-power battery operation, power the board through the Xplained Pro host kit's power measurement interface or inject current via the board's power headers, because USB-powered bench configurations mask the ATmega256RFR2's sleep-mode current behavior. The single-chip integration (MCU plus transceiver) means sleep current is dominated by the device's own power modes rather than inter-chip leakage, so use the device's deep sleep with radio register retention for representative duty-cycled measurements.
When migrating from the evaluation board to a custom PCB with the ATMEGA256RFR2, reference the ATRCB256RFR2-XPRO reference design as a starting point: it demonstrates the 2.4 GHz matching network and PCB antenna layout that Microchip validated. Keep the RF trace impedance-controlled, maintain a continuous ground plane under the antenna region, and follow the Xplained Pro board's decoupling capacitor placement. Copying the proven layout substantially reduces RF bring-up risk on the first production spin.
Compliance Information
Evaluation board; RoHS/REACH status not stated in the provided web data. Consult the Microchip product page or distributor compliance documents for certification status.