ATREB233SMAD-EK - AT86RF233 2.4GHz RF Eval Kit | Microchip
MPN: ATREB233SMAD-EK β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $49 | $49.00 |
| 10 | $46.55 | $465.50 |
| 100 | $44.1 | $4,410.00 |
| 500 | $41.65 | $20,825.00 |
| 1,000 | $39.2 | $39,200.00 |
ATREB233SMAD-EK Overview
An RF evaluation kit is a hardware platform within the embedded development tools hierarchy (development board -> RF development kit -> wireless development ecosystem) that lets engineers evaluate, prototype and debug a radio transceiver before committing to custom PCB design. The ATREB233SMAD-EK pairs a 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 LR-WPAN radio extension board with an AVR controller base, so all AT86RF233 radio features can be exercised over a standard microcontroller interface.
Key features include the AT86RF233 transceiver supporting IEEE 802.15.4 at 2.4 GHz with high data-rate extensions, an ATxmega256A3 8/16-bit AVR MCU with 256 KB flash as the host controller, a 1.8 V to 3.6 V operating supply range, and SMA antenna connectivity for repeatable RF measurements. The kit demonstrates the unique performance and rich feature set of the 2.4 GHz AT86RF233 radio, including its low current consumption suitable for battery-powered ZigBee-style nodes.
Architecturally, the ATxmega256A3 communicates with the AT86RF233 over an SPI interface, using the transceiver's interrupt and GPIO lines for frame timing. This mirrors the final product topology, so firmware written against the kit ports directly to production hardware using the same AT86RF233 device.
Typical applications include IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee mesh network prototyping, RF4CE remote control development, 6LoWPAN and Thread-style network research, and industrial sensor node evaluation where 2.4 GHz low-power wireless is required.
A key design consideration: the 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range covers two AA cells and Li-ion cells directly, but RF range measurements require the supplied SMA antenna and adequate ground-plane conditions on the evaluation boards.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, cross-reference data, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer product page.
Drop-in alternatives for ATREB233SMAD-EK 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 ATREB233SMAD-EK (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Product Type, Target Transceiver, Wireless Standard.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATREB233SMAD-E
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATREB233-XPRO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet βATREB212SMAD-EK
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA256RFR2-XPRO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$29.8 / Unit
View Datasheet βATREB233SMAD-EK Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | RF Evaluation and Development Kit |
| Target Transceiver | AT86RF233 |
| Host Controller | ATxmega256A3 AVR |
| Frequency Band | 2.4 GHz ISM |
| Radio Standard | IEEE 802.15.4 LR-WPAN |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 3.6 V (max, 1.8 V to 3.6 V range) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) | 1 (Unlimited) |
| Kit Contents | AT86RF233 radio extension board + ATxmega256A3 controller board |
| RF Connector | SMA |
| Interface to MCU | SPI |
| Typical Applications | ZigBee, RF4CE, 6LoWPAN evaluation |
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Tool Category | Engineering Development Tools |
ATREB233SMAD-EK Interfaces & Connectors
ATREB233SMAD-EK exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Power Input. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Power Input | 3.6 V (max, 1.8 V to 3.6 V range) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Power Input | 3.6 V (max, 1.8 V to 3.6 V range) |
Power input and thermal parameters for ATREB233SMAD-EK as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
ATREB233SMAD-EK is suitable for 6 applications: IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee Network Prototyping, RF4CE Remote Control Development, 6LoWPAN / Thread-Style Network Research, Industrial Wireless Sensor Nodes, RF Performance and Range Testing, Smart Home and IoT Gateway Development.
IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee Network Prototyping
The ATREB233SMAD-EK is purpose-built for IEEE 802.15.4 LR-WPAN prototyping at 2.4 GHz because it exposes the complete AT86RF233 feature set over SPI from the ATxmega256A3 host. Engineers can exercise TX/RX framing, RSSI/ED measurement, and channel selection across the 2.4 GHz band, then port the validated firmware to production AT86RF233 hardware unchanged. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range allows powering from two AA cells, matching final ZigBee node power conditions so current consumption and range results measured on the kit are representative. Its SMA antenna interface gives repeatable radiated measurements during mesh formation testing.
Recommended
RF4CE Remote Control Development
For RF4CE-style bidirectional remote control designs, the ATREB233SMAD-EK provides a 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 platform with the low-power attributes remotes require. The AT86RF233's sleep and deep-sleep modes combined with the ATxmega256A3's low-power sleep states allow realistic battery-life measurement using two AAA or AA cells within the 1.8 V to 3.6 V operating range. Developers validate pairing procedures, frame timing, and TX power settings on the kit before migrating firmware to a cost-optimized two-chip production design using the identical AT86RF233 transceiver, eliminating redesign risk in the radio front-end.
Recommended
6LoWPAN / Thread-Style Network Research
Academic and industrial research groups use the ATREB233SMAD-EK to build 6LoWPAN and Thread-style mesh testbeds, since IEEE 802.15.4 at 2.4 GHz is the physical-layer foundation of these stacks. The kit's SPI interface to the AT86RF233 is directly compatible with open-source MAC drivers (for example Contiki-style 802.15.4 drivers), allowing rapid integration. The 2.4 GHz ISM operation supports the full 16-channel allocation for interference and coexistence experiments, and the SMA antenna port enables chamber measurements of per-node range and link margin across multi-hop topologies.
Recommended
Industrial Wireless Sensor Nodes
Industrial sensor node developers choose the ATREB233SMAD-EK to de-risk 2.4 GHz wireless sensor links before production commit. The AT86RF233 offers programmable TX power and sensitivity headroom for factory-floor deployments with metal obstructions, and the kit's 1.8 V to 3.6 V operation matches common industrial battery chemistries. Using the ATxmega256A3 host, engineers characterize link reliability, retry behavior, and current consumption under realistic duty cycles, then transfer the validated radio driver and settings directly to a production AT86RF233 design, cutting the typical wireless hardware spin cycle significantly.
Recommended
RF Performance and Range Testing
The ATREB233SMAD-EK serves as a controlled RF measurement platform because its AT86RF233 radio board provides an SMA antenna connector, enabling conducted measurements with a spectrum analyzer or repeatable over-the-air tests in an anechoic environment. Engineers sweep TX power settings, evaluate adjacent-channel behavior across the 16 channels of the 2.4 GHz band, and verify RSSI accuracy against reference equipment. Because the 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range allows bench supplies to mimic battery voltage sag, sensitivity measurements remain valid at the voltage corners that matter for final product qualification.
Recommended
Smart Home and IoT Gateway Development
For smart home IoT products, the ATREB233SMAD-EK lets gateway and end-device developers evaluate the AT86RF233's 2.4 GHz link quality in real home environments with Wi-Fi coexistence present. The kit supports rapid firmware iteration over its ATxmega256A3 host, so channel-agility and TDMA-style scheduling schemes can be tested against real 802.11 interference. Operating within 1.8 V to 3.6 V, the same board acts as both gateway radio node and end-device node in small pilot deployments, and the demonstrated AT86RF233 feature set transfers directly to the final two-chip production architecture.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATREB233SMAD-EK β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATREB233SMAD-E | ATREB233-XPRO | ATREB212SMAD-EK | ATMEGA256RFR2-XPRO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package / Form Factor | Kit: AT86RF233 radio board + ATxmega256A3 controller board | AT86RF233 radio board only | XPRO connector board | Kit: AT86RF212 radio board + controller board | XPRO connector board (single-chip) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Target Radio | AT86RF233 | AT86RF233 | AT86RF233 | AT86RF212 (sub-GHz) | ATmega256RFR2 (integrated radio) |
| Frequency Band | 2.4 GHz ISM | 2.4 GHz ISM | 2.4 GHz ISM | Sub-GHz (700/800/900 MHz) | 2.4 GHz ISM |
| Radio Standard | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 | IEEE 802.15.4 |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Host Controller | ATxmega256A3 (256 KB flash) | None included (host required) | Via XPRO host board | ATxmega256A3 (256 KB flash) | On-chip ATmega256RFR2 MCU |
Key Differentiators
- Two-chip topology mirrors production designs (vs ATMEGA256RFR2-XPRO)
- Complete kit out of the box (vs ATREB233SMAD-E)
- 2.4 GHz band coverage (vs ATREB212SMAD-EK)
Design Notes
Power the kit from a bench supply set within the 1.8 V to 3.6 V range, or from two AA cells for realistic battery testing. The AT86RF233 is sensitive to supply ripple during TX bursts, so use short, low-resistance leads and place a 10 uF plus 0.1 uF decoupling pair at the board supply input if leads are longer than 20 cm. Exceeding 3.6 V stresses the transceiver; never connect a full Li-ion charge (4.2 V) directly without regulation.
Do not measure range with the kit's radio board held in hand or on a metal bench; the SMA antenna assumes reasonable ground-plane conditions. For repeatable results, fix the boards on non-conductive stands at a consistent height, use identical antenna orientation at both ends, and take multiple RSSI samples per distance point. Firmware changes on the ATxmega256A3 should be re-measured after every radio register setting change, since TX power and channel settings dominate link margin.
When migrating from the kit to a production AT86RF233 design, follow Microchip's reference layout guidance for the AT86RF233: keep the RF trace from the transceiver to the antenna matched at 50 ohms, maintain a solid ground plane under the RF section, and copy the kit's crystal and decoupling placement. The SPI lines between MCU and transceiver should be kept short and away from the antenna feed to avoid digital coupling into the RF front-end.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not stated in provided web data for this development kit; verify on the official Microchip product page before procurement.