ATREB212BSMA-EK - AT86RF212B Sub-GHz RF Eval Board | Microchip
MPN: ATREB212BSMA-EK β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $42.5 | $42.50 |
| 10 | $40.38 | $403.80 |
| 25 | $38.68 | $967.00 |
| 50 | $36.98 | $1,849.00 |
| 100 | $34 | $3,400.00 |
ATREB212BSMA-EK Overview
An RF evaluation board is a hardware development tool that mounts a wireless transceiver together with its mandatory RF front-end components - such as baluns, loop filters, and antenna matching networks - on a ready-to-use PCB. In the system hierarchy, it sits between the bare transceiver IC and a finished product, allowing firmware engineers, RF designers, and stack developers to validate range, sensitivity, and protocol behavior before committing to custom PCB layouts. Evaluation kits like this one remove the burden of RF layout, which is the most common cause of degraded wireless performance in first-pass designs.
Key features of the ATREB212BSMA-EK include the AT86RF212B transceiver covering 690 to 960 MHz frequency bands, an on-board LNA (low-noise amplifier) and PLL loop filter network, and an SMA connector for connecting standard gain antennas. The board interfaces to host microcontrollers - typically Atmel AVR XMEGA devices - through a standard SPI link, exposing the transceiver's registers, frame buffers, and AES hardware engine for firmware experimentation.
Technically, the AT86RF212B is a high-sensitivity, low-current transceiver supporting data rates suited to IEEE 802.15.4 sub-GHz PHY operation, with integrated received signal strength indication (RSSI), link quality indication (LQI), and an IEEE 802.15.4-compliant AES-128 security module. The SMA-fed antenna path on this kit delivers repeatable RF measurements for conducted and radiated testing, simplifying sensitivity and output-power verification.
Typical applications include sub-GHz wireless sensor network prototyping, smart metering and utility telemetry development, industrial automation and control links, and long-range low-data-rate IoT node development. Because sub-GHz propagation outperforms 2.4 GHz in obstacle penetration and range, this kit is favored for evaluation of systems destined for basements, outdoor meters, and rural sensor deployments.
A key design consideration: always use a matched antenna rated for the exact operating band (700/800/900 MHz), since an out-of-band or poorly matched antenna can desensitize the LNA front-end and invalidate test results. Also connect the kit to a host MCU board with a clean 3.3 V supply to preserve radio sensitivity.
This page synthesizes distributor availability data, datasheet references, related evaluation platform alternatives, and practical design guidance not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATREB212BSMA-EK β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATREB212B-XPRO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATZB-X0-212B-XPRO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATREB256RFR-XPRO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATZB-A7-U7-0-UFL
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DNT90DK
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATREB212BSMA-EK Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Evaluation Target | AT86RF212B RF Transceiver |
| Frequency Bands | 700 MHz / 800 MHz / 900 MHz |
| RF Frequency Range | 690 MHz to 960 MHz |
| RF Connector | SMA antenna connector |
| On-board RF Components | LNA / PLL loop filter |
| Host Interface | SPI (to XMEGA MCU) |
| Product Type | RF Evaluation and Development Kit |
| Supported Standards | IEEE 802.15.4 (sub-GHz PHY) |
| Transceiver Security | AES-128 hardware engine |
| Board Mounting | Standalone evaluation board |
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Datasheet | 3-page user/datasheet PDF (2014-06-05) |
ATREB212BSMA-EK Interfaces & Connectors
No manufacturer-published interface list is available for ATREB212BSMA-EK. Refer to the manufacturer documentation for connector and header details.
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
ATREB212BSMA-EK is suitable for 6 applications: Sub-GHz Wireless Sensor Network Prototyping, Smart Metering and Utility Telemetry Development, Industrial Automation and Control Links, RF Sensitivity and Conducted Test Bench, Long-Range IoT Node Development, Academic and Research RF Laboratories.
Sub-GHz Wireless Sensor Network Prototyping
The ATREB212BSMA-EK fits wireless sensor network (WSN) prototyping because the AT86RF212B transceiver operates across the 690-960 MHz range, matching regional 780/868/915 MHz ISM allocations used by large-scale WSN deployments. Sub-GHz propagation provides roughly 6-10 dB better wall penetration than 2.4 GHz, extending node spacing and reducing mesh density. Engineers connect two or more kits to XMEGA host boards via SPI, run Microchip's IEEE 802.15.4 MAC stack, and measure packet error rate versus distance using the SMA connector to attach calibrated gain antennas. The on-board LNA and PLL loop filter deliver repeatable receiver sensitivity figures, so range experiments performed on this kit transfer predictably to custom PCB designs using the same AT86RF212B transceiver.
Recommended
Smart Metering and Utility Telemetry Development
Smart metering platforms favor sub-GHz radios because basement and vault locations demand deep indoor penetration that only 700-900 MHz signals provide. The ATREB212BSMA-EK lets metering engineers validate the AT86RF212B's link budget, AES-128 encrypted frame handling, and duty-cycle behavior under real propagation conditions before a certified radio module is selected. Using the SMA connector, teams test with representative outdoor antennas and log RSSI/LQI statistics through the SPI interface to model mesh routing overhead. Because the board exposes the bare transceiver, power-consumption profiling of sleep, receive, and transmit modes can be measured directly with a source meter, which is essential when meter batteries must last 10-15 years in the field.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and Control Links
Industrial plants increasingly replace cabled sensors with sub-GHz wireless links to avoid the cost of conduit runs. The ATREB212BSMA-EK enables validation of the AT86RF212B in factory-floor conditions, where metal racking and machinery create multipath fading. The radio's IEEE 802.15.4-compliant PHY with channel blacklisting in the 700/800/900 MHz bands, exercised via the kit, allows engineers to identify the most reliable channel for a specific facility. The AES-128 hardware engine supports secure actuator commands without software crypto overhead on the XMEGA host. Conducted testing through the SMA connector also verifies coexistence with existing plant RF equipment before deployment, and measured sensitivity figures from this board transfer directly to production hardware built on the same transceiver.
Recommended
RF Sensitivity and Conducted Test Bench
Unlike boards with fixed PCB antennas, the ATREB212BSMA-EK's SMA connector allows direct connection to spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and chamber antennas, making it a practical conducted-RF test bench for the AT86RF212B. Engineers can inject calibrated signals to measure receiver sensitivity across the 690-960 MHz range, verify output power settings, and characterize the on-board LNA and PLL loop filter response. The SPI interface exposes RSSI and LQI registers, enabling automated test scripts from the XMEGA host or an external controller. This repeatability is critical for regulatory pre-scans in the 868 MHz and 915 MHz bands, where emission masks and power limits must be confirmed before formal certification testing of the final product.
Recommended
Long-Range IoT Node Development
Developers of low-data-rate IoT infrastructure - agricultural monitors, parking sensors, environmental telemetry - use the ATREB212BSMA-EK to prove link feasibility at kilometer scale with sub-GHz radios. The AT86RF212B's sub-GHz operation at 700/800/900 MHz, combined with external high-gain antennas attached to the SMA port, routinely demonstrates multi-kilometer line-of-sight links at moderate output power. Firmware teams iterate protocol behavior (retry limits, channel hopping, duty cycling) on the kit with the same silicon destined for production, minimizing late-stage radio surprises. Pairing the evaluation board with an XMEGA host and Microchip's 802.15.4 stack provides a complete reference path from bench to field pilot, including encrypted payloads via the hardware AES-128 engine.
Recommended
Academic and Research RF Laboratories
Universities and research labs use the ATREB212BSMA-EK as a low-cost, standards-compliant platform for teaching and studying IEEE 802.15.4 sub-GHz networking. Because the board exposes the raw AT86RF212B transceiver over SPI, students implement MAC layers themselves rather than working behind a sealed module, gaining hands-on understanding of CSMA/CA, frame formats, and AES-128 security in hardware. The 3-page Microchip datasheet plus the full AT86RF212B documentation provide a complete, well-supported learning path. The SMA connector supports antenna theory experiments with different gain and pattern antennas, letting students quantify range versus antenna choice at 868 MHz and 915 MHz. Multiple kits form low-cost testbeds for mesh networking and channel-measurement research.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATREB212BSMA-EK β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATREB212B-XPRO | ATZB-X0-212B-XPRO | ATZB-A7-U7-0-UFL | DNT90DK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | Evaluation board, SMA antenna connector | Evaluation board, Xplained Pro form factor | Evaluation board, Xplained Pro form factor | Module platform, U.FL connector | Evaluation kit (2 boards + antennas) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Digi International |
| Radio/Target | AT86RF212B transceiver | AT86RF212B transceiver | ATZB-X0-212B certified module | ATZB-A7-U7 certified module | DNT90 proprietary-protocol radio |
| Frequency Bands | 700 / 800 / 900 MHz (690-960 MHz) | 700 / 800 / 900 MHz | 700 / 800 / 900 MHz | 868 MHz (certified) | 900 MHz |
| Protocol Support | IEEE 802.15.4 sub-GHz PHY | IEEE 802.15.4 sub-GHz PHY | IEEE 802.15.4 (pre-certified) | IEEE 802.15.4 (pre-certified) | Digi proprietary FHSS |
| On-board RF Components | LNA / PLL loop filter | LNA / PLL loop filter | Integrated in certified module | Integrated in certified module | Integrated radio front-end |
| Host Interface | SPI (XMEGA CPU) | SPI (Xplained Pro) | SPI / Xplained Pro | SPI / UART to module | UART / SPI to DNT90 |
Key Differentiators
- Conducted RF access via SMA connector (vs ATREB212B-XPRO)
- Bare transceiver visibility (vs ATZB-X0-212B-XPRO)
- Wider frequency coverage than certified alternatives (vs ATZB-A7-U7-0-UFL)
- Open 802.15.4 stack development (vs DNT90DK)
Design Notes
Always attach a band-matched antenna (780/868/915 MHz depending on region) to the SMA connector before powering the board. The on-board LNA and PLL loop filter assume a 50-ohm antenna path; a mismatched or out-of-band antenna desensitizes the receiver and can push the AT86RF212B output stage outside its rated load conditions, distorting both sensitivity and harmonic measurements.
Feed the kit from a clean, low-noise 3.3 V supply. Switching-buck ripple in the tens of millivolts range appears as phase noise on the AT86RF212B PLL loop and degrades spurious-free performance. For sensitivity measurements, use a linear regulator supply and keep measurement cabling away from the loop-filter area of the board.
Do not treat the ATREB212BSMA-EK as a certified radio product: it is an evaluation board and carries no regulatory certification (FCC/CE) for operation as an end device. Any final product using the AT86RF212B requires its own RF layout, matching verification, and regional certification. Consider certified ATZB-X0-212B modules for products needing faster compliance paths.
When mating the board to an XMEGA host, route the SPI bus (SCLK, MOSI, MISO, /CS) as short as possible and add /IRQ and SLP_TR control lines; the transceiver's timing-critical sleep/wake sequencing depends on low-latency SLP_TR edges. Floating SLP_TR causes unexpected power-mode transitions and corrupted frames during testing.
Compliance Information
Compliance data for this evaluation kit was not present in the provided verified web data. Evaluation boards are development tools and typically are not AEC-Q100 qualified (not applicable to a kit). As an evaluation board, the kit itself is not a certified end-product radio (no FCC/CE grant as a device).