ATRF4CE-EK - RF4CE Remote Control Eval Kit 2.4GHz | Microchip
MPN: ATRF4CE-EK โ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $273.66 | $273.66 |
| 10 | $273.66 | $2,736.60 |
| 100 | $273.66 | $27,366.00 |
| 500 | $273.66 | $136,830.00 |
| 1,000 | $273.66 | $273,660.00 |
ATRF4CE-EK Overview
An RF4CE evaluation kit is a complete hardware and software development platform that lets engineers prototype two-way RF remote controls before committing to production PCB designs. In the development-tools hierarchy, it sits above bare evaluation boards by combining hardware, reference firmware, and the AVR2104 user guide into one package, making it a power-management-free entry point for wireless protocol evaluation.
Key features include the ATmega128RFA1 single-chip solution integrating an AVR 8-bit MCU with a 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4-compliant radio, support for the ZigBee RF4CE Remote Control profile, and a programmed performance-test measurement application for simple range measurement and packet-error-rate testing. The kit demonstrates real-world link budget and latency behavior that datasheet tables alone cannot convey.
The platform uses the AVR RF protocol stack, enabling evaluation of network formation, pairing, and key exchange as defined by the ZigBee RF4CE specification. Because the transceiver and MCU share one die, current consumption and RF timing measurements reflect final-product behavior rather than a two-chip discrete approximation.
Typical applications include TV and set-top-box remote controls, home-automation controllers, game controllers, and other battery-powered consumer electronics requiring sub-GHz-band-free 2.4 GHz bidirectional links with low duty cycles.
When designing with this kit, verify antenna placement and battery chemistry early; coin-cell vs AAA sourcing measurably affects RF range and link margin in RF4CE remote designs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, evaluation-platform comparisons, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer documentation alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATRF4CE-EK โ same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool โ Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATBTLC1000-XPRO
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATWINC1500-XSTK
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SMARTRF06EBK
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATRF4CE-EK Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | RF4CE Remote Control Evaluation Kit |
| Target Device | ATmega128RFA1 (AVR MCU + 2.4 GHz transceiver) |
| Frequency Band | 2.4 GHz |
| Radio Standard | IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee RF4CE |
| Supported Profile | ZigBee RF4CE Remote Control |
| Reference Firmware | Performance test measurement application (range and packet testing) |
| Associated User Guide | AVR2104 RF4CE-EK Remote Control Evaluation Kit User Guide |
| Lead Free Status | Lead Free |
| RoHS Status | RoHS Compliant |
| Brand Origin | Atmel (now Microchip Technology) |
| Packaging Type | Bulk (development kit) |
ATRF4CE-EK Interfaces & Connectors
No manufacturer-published interface list is available for ATRF4CE-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
ATRF4CE-EK is suitable for 6 applications: TV and Set-Top-Box Remote Controls, Home Automation Controllers, Wireless Game Controllers, RF Link and Range Testing in Labs, Industrial Control Pendants, Smart Home Security Keypads.
TV and Set-Top-Box Remote Controls
The ATRF4CE-EK exists primarily to develop ZigBee RF4CE remote controls for televisions and set-top boxes. Its ATmega128RFA1 target integrates an IEEE 802.15.4 2.4 GHz radio with an AVR MCU on one die, so engineers can measure the actual current profile of a coin-cell or AAA-powered remote without two-chip approximation error. The included performance-test firmware supports range measurement and packet-error-rate testing across a living-room and multi-wall environment, quantifying link margin before antenna placement is frozen. RF4CE's low duty cycle and bidirectional acknowledgment capability enable features such as over-the-air pairing and battery-status reporting that IR remotes cannot offer, making this kit the standard starting point for consumer remote-control programs targeting Microchip silicon.
Recommended
Home Automation Controllers
RF4CE's IEEE 802.15.4 foundation makes the ATRF4CE-EK a practical evaluation platform for simple home-automation nodes such as wall-mounted scene controllers and sensor endpoints. Engineers can use the kit's RF4CE pairing and key-exchange firmware to validate secure commissioning flows before porting them to production ATmega128RFA1 hardware. The 2.4 GHz band offers global license-free operation, and the performance-test application measures packet success rates through residential wall construction, which is the dominant range variable in home deployments. Compared with Wi-Fi alternatives like the WINC1500 platform, RF4CE endpoints achieve multi-year coin-cell battery life due to low duty cycles, making the kit the correct choice when control commands, not data throughput, define the product.
Recommended
Wireless Game Controllers
Bidirectional, low-latency RF links are essential for game controllers, and the ATRF4CE-EK lets developers characterize whether RF4CE's acknowledgment latency meets interactive-response requirements. The ATmega128RFA1's single-chip radio-plus-MCU architecture reduces controller bill-of-materials cost and board area versus discrete transceiver solutions, while the AVR core handles HID-style keypad scanning and protocol stack simultaneously. Using the kit's packet-test firmware, teams can measure command delivery rates during rapid keypress sequences and evaluate retry behavior under interference from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in the crowded 2.4 GHz band. The resulting latency and reliability data directly inform whether RF4CE suffices or a gaming-grade proprietary 2.4 GHz protocol is required for the production controller.
Recommended
RF Link and Range Testing in Labs
Universities and corporate RF labs use the ATRF4CE-EK as a ready-made 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 testbench. Because the kit ships with performance-test firmware for range measurement and packet-error-rate statistics, two kits form a complete transmitter-receiver pair without any firmware development, enabling same-day experiments on antenna gain, body-shadowing effects, and multipath behavior. The AVR2104 user guide documents the measurement methodology, so results are reproducible across lab sessions. Compared with bare radio modules, the kit's integrated AVR toolchain also allows students to modify packet timing and transmit power, turning it into a hands-on teaching platform for low-power wireless protocol concepts, from channel access to link-quality estimation, with commercially relevant silicon.
Recommended
Industrial Control Pendants
Machine-control pendants and handheld industrial terminals benefit from RF4CE's deterministic acknowledgment and secure pairing, and the ATRF4CE-EK provides the reference platform to validate these behaviors on the ATmega128RFA1 before ruggedized production design. Industrial environments add metal obstructions and motor interference, so the kit's packet-error-rate measurement firmware is used to survey coverage on the factory floor at 2.4 GHz, identifying dead zones that would affect operator safety. The AVR MCU's real-time keypad scan and radio servicing in a single chip simplifies the pendant's power budget for battery operation across a full shift. Teams can then migrate the validated RF4CE stack into IP65-rated production hardware with confidence in link reliability.
Recommended
Smart Home Security Keypads
Wireless security keypads require secure two-way communication and long battery life, both native RF4CE strengths evaluated with the ATRF4CE-EK. The protocol's AES-based key exchange, exercised through the kit's pairing firmware, addresses replay and eavesdropping concerns for arming and disarming commands. The ATmega128RFA1's integrated transceiver keeps the keypad electronics compact, while low sleep current supports months of operation on primary cells. Using the kit's range-measurement application, installers and designers validate coverage between keypad mounting points and the security panel across typical residential construction, including the metal-clad doors common in alarm enclosures. Successful evaluation de-risks the migration to production ATmega128RFA1-based keypad hardware with the same certified protocol stack.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATRF4CE-EK โ comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATBTLC1000-XPRO | ATWINC1500-XSTK | SMARTRF06EBK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | Evaluation board kit (bulk) | Xplained Pro evaluation board kit | Xplained starter kit | TI SmartRF evaluation board kit |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Texas Instruments |
| Target Silicon | ATmega128RFA1 | ATBTLC1000 | ATWINC1500 | TI CC253x / CC2540 |
| Frequency Band | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Wireless Protocol | ZigBee RF4CE / IEEE 802.15.4 | Bluetooth Low Energy | Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) | ZigBee / BLE (TI stack) |
Key Differentiators
- Purpose-built RF4CE Remote Control evaluation (vs ATBTLC1000-XPRO)
- Single-chip radio plus MCU reference design (vs SMARTRF06EBK)
- Out-of-box range and PER test firmware (vs ATWINC1500-XSTK)
Design Notes
The ATRF4CE-EK is an evaluation platform, not production hardware. Do not copy the kit layout directly into a consumer remote control without re-validating antenna matching for your specific enclosure; plastic housings with metallic paint or membrane keypads detune 2.4 GHz antennas measurably. Also, the RF4CE protocol stack firmware is vendor-licensed - confirm redistribution rights with Microchip before porting the kit's stack to production ATmega128RFA1 boards.
Measure current consumption on the kit itself before specifying batteries for the production remote. The ATmega128RFA1's single-die radio plus MCU architecture gives realistic sleep and transmit current, but the evaluation board's regulators and LEDs add overhead not present in final hardware. Estimated: an RF4CE remote transmitting 100 packets/day at ~15 mA TX bursts versus a ~1 uA sleep baseline yields coin-cell life in the 1-3 year range; validate with your own duty-cycle numbers from the kit's packet-test firmware.
The 2.4 GHz band is shared with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Use the kit's packet-error-rate measurement mode to survey interference at the actual installation site before finalizing the RF4CE channel plan. Severe PER degradation near access points may require antenna relocation or channel agility in firmware. Document measured PER alongside RSSI so production acceptance criteria are grounded in site data rather than datasheet-free-space assumptions.
Compliance Information
Lead Free Status: Lead Free; RoHS Status: RoHS Compliant per digchip datasheet summary. Other compliance attributes not stated in provided data.