CC1020RSST - FSK/OOK UHF Transceiver 402-940MHz | TI
MPN: CC1020RSST ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.9 | $6.90 |
| 10 | $6.25 | $62.50 |
| 100 | $5.55 | $555.00 |
| 500 | $5.1 | $2,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.65 | $4,650.00 |
CC1020RSST Overview
A narrowband RF transceiver is a radio IC that transmits and receives data on channels only a few tens of kilohertz wide, sitting within the broader hierarchy of wireless connectivity ICs: RF transceiver -> RF integrated circuit -> semiconductor. Narrowband operation gives superior range and channel density versus wideband systems, making it the technology of choice for licensed and ISM/SRD telemetry links.
Key features include fully integrated frequency synthesizer and transceiver chain for the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) and SRD (Short Range Device) bands at 402, 424, 426, 429, 433, 447, 449, 469, 868, and 915 MHz, programmable multichannel operation at other frequencies within the supported bands, FSK and OOK modulation, and a CMOS process that keeps power consumption low for battery-operated nodes.
Technically, the CC1020 integrates a low-IF receiver architecture and a direct VCO-based transmitter with an on-chip PLL synthesizer. Configuration of frequency, modulation, data rate, and power output is performed through a serial configuration interface from an external microcontroller, giving designers fine-grained control over the RF link.
Typical applications include narrowband telemetry and metering links in the 433 MHz and 868/915 MHz ISM bands, 402-470 MHz utility and alarm systems, and short-range device communication in industrial and building-automation equipment.
When designing with the CC1020RSST, follow the reference layout of the CC1020EM evaluation module, place matching-network components close to the antenna pins, and budget crystal tolerance carefully because narrowband channels leave little margin for frequency error.
This page synthesizes distributor availability data, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for CC1020RSST — 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 CC1020RSST (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Modulation, Package, Product Type, Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
CC1020RUZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
CC1021RSST
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →CC1021RUZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
CC1020RSS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
CC1020RSST Specifications
| Product Type | Single-chip FSK/OOK CMOS UHF transceiver |
| Frequency Band 1 | 402 MHz to 470 MHz |
| Frequency Band 2 | 804 MHz to 960 MHz |
| Modulation | FSK, OOK |
| ISM/SRD Channels | 402, 424, 426, 429, 433, 447, 449, 469, 868, 915 MHz |
| Channel Operation | Programmable multichannel within supported bands |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Configuration Interface | Serial configuration interface (SPI-type bus) |
| Package | 32-VQFN with exposed pad (RSS) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
CC1020RSST 32-vqfn with exposed pad (rss) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for CC1020RSST (32-vqfn with exposed pad (rss) package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for CC1020RSST.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
CC1020RSST is suitable for 6 applications: Narrowband ISM/SRD Telemetry, Utility Metering (402-470 MHz), Alarm and Security Systems, 915 MHz Industrial Control Links, Building Automation Sensors, 469 MHz Regional Telemetry and Paging.
Narrowband ISM/SRD Telemetry
The CC1020RSST fits telemetry links in the 433, 868, and 915 MHz ISM/SRD bands where regulations restrict occupied bandwidth, making narrowband FSK the practical choice. According to the TI product description, the device natively covers 402, 424, 426, 429, 433, 447, 449, 469, 868, and 915 MHz channels. In a typical node, an external MCU loads frequency, deviation, and data-rate registers over the serial configuration interface, and the CC1020 handles the complete RF chain from bit stream to antenna. Narrowband channels deliver tens of dB of processing advantage over wideband links at equal power, extending battery life in metering and sensor-reporting duty cycles. The trade-off is tight crystal tolerance and slower data rates versus wideband parts, so designs must budget TCXO or calibration margins.
Recommended
Utility Metering (402-470 MHz)
Water, gas, and electric metering networks frequently operate in the 402-470 MHz slice, and the CC1020RSST's first band spans exactly this range with programmable multichannel operation. The single-chip CMOS transceiver is designed for very low power and very low voltage operation, which directly translates into multi-year battery life for meter endpoints that transmit brief, infrequent readings. In a metering application the CC1020 is placed between the MCU and a simple discrete matching network to the antenna; FSK modulation provides robust reception in obstructed urban environments where 2.4 GHz links struggle. Because channel assignments vary by region and utility, the programmable synthesizer lets one hardware BOM serve multiple deployments by changing register settings in firmware rather than the RF design.
Recommended
Alarm and Security Systems
Professional alarm panels and wireless detectors in the 433/868 MHz SRD bands benefit from the CC1020RSST's narrowband FSK link, which resists interference better than ASK-based commodity remotes. Per TI, the device is mainly intended for ISM and SRD bands including 433 and 868 MHz, with OOK modulation also supported for compatibility with legacy OOK sensor fleets on the same receiver infrastructure. A security detector can duty-cycle the transceiver's low-power states, waking only to transmit a brief event frame; the low-voltage CMOS design tolerates battery sag near end of life. Designers should implement repeated-frame transmission and acknowledgment protocols in MCU firmware, since the CC1020 provides the physical layer but no packet engine.
Recommended
915 MHz Industrial Control Links
In North America, the 902-928 MHz industrial band suits the CC1020RSST's second operating range of 804 MHz to 960 MHz, per the DigiKey frequency listing of 804-960 MHz coverage. Industrial control and SCADA-style telemetry over short distances use programmable multichannel operation to hop or select clear channels, mitigating the crowded spectrum in factories. The CC1020's integrated synthesizer supports fast frequency reprogramming through the serial configuration interface, enabling frequency-agile schemes without external VCO or synthesizer components. Sub-GHz propagation penetrates metal-clad and concrete structures better than 2.4 GHz, reducing repeater counts in plant environments. The exposed-pad VQFN package provides a solid RF ground, but layouts should follow the CC1020EMX reference to control matching-network parasitics.
Recommended
Building Automation Sensors
Battery-powered occupancy, temperature, and door-position sensors in building automation commonly use 868 MHz (EU) or 915 MHz (US) SRD links, both natively covered by the CC1020RSST. TI describes the part as a true single-chip UHF transceiver for very low-power, very low-voltage wireless applications - the two attributes that dominate sensor-node design, where a coin cell must last years. The MCU-driven architecture lets firmware power down the transceiver completely between reporting intervals, drawing only sensor and MCU sleep current. FSK sensitivity supports signal margins through walls and risers, and programmable channels let one design ship into both EU and US markets after regulatory firmware changes. Antenna matching follows the discrete network from the CC1020EM reference design.
Recommended
469 MHz Regional Telemetry and Paging
Several regions allocate 447, 449, and 469 MHz channels to private telemetry and on-site paging, and the CC1020RSST's 402-470 MHz band covers these exactly. Narrowband FSK at these frequencies achieves long range from modest transmit power, which matters for unlicensed on-site systems bound by ERP limits - every dB of receiver sensitivity bought by narrowband filtering extends coverage radius. The CC1020's receiver front end and digital demodulator are configured by register writes, allowing the same PCB to serve base-station receiver and remote transmitter roles in a paging network. Designers must pay attention to frequency accuracy: at narrow channel bandwidths, a low-cost crystal plus periodic calibration, or a TCXO, is needed to keep transmit carriers inside regulatory masks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for CC1020RSST — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | CC1020RUZ | CC1021RSST | CC1021RUZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-VQFN exposed pad (RSS) | 32-VQFN exposed pad (RUZ) - same footprint | 32-VQFN exposed pad (RSS) - same | 32-VQFN exposed pad (RUZ) - same |
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Frequency Range | 402-470 MHz, 804-960 MHz | 402-470 MHz, 804-960 MHz | 402-470 MHz, 804-940 MHz | 402-470 MHz, 804-940 MHz |
| Modulation | FSK, OOK | FSK, OOK | FSK, OOK | FSK, OOK |
| Architecture | Transceiver + external MCU | Transceiver + external MCU | Transceiver + external MCU | Transceiver + external MCU |
| Lifecycle Status | Active (legacy family) | Active (legacy family) | Active (legacy family) | Active (legacy family) |
Key Differentiators
- True single-chip narrowband solution (vs CC1021RSST)
- Programmable multichannel coverage of ten ISM/SRD allocations (vs CC1020RUZ)
- Trade-off: no integrated packet engine or MCU (vs CC1021RSST)
Design Notes
Follow the CC1020EMX reference design layout, which TI publishes with schematics and PCB files specifically for the CC1020. Place the discrete matching network and crystal as close to the CC1020RSST pins as possible, keep the VQFN exposed pad soldered to a solid ground plane with multiple thermal vias, and route the serial configuration interface away from the RF front end. At narrowband channel bandwidths even a few picofarads of layout parasitic can detune the matching network and cost several dB of sensitivity.
Frequency accuracy is the dominant engineering risk in narrowband links. Because channel bandwidths are only a few tens of kHz, crystal tolerance and drift directly shift both the transmit carrier and the receiver's center frequency, degrading margin. Budget a TCXO or implement periodic frequency calibration in MCU firmware, especially across the full -40C to +85C industrial temperature span. Estimated: a +/-20 ppm crystal error at 868 MHz equals roughly +/-17 kHz of carrier error - enough to close a 25 kHz channel entirely.
The CC1020 requires a very low-voltage, low-noise supply per its datasheet positioning for very low-power and very low-voltage applications. Power the RF section from a dedicated low-noise LDO or filtered rail, not directly from a switching converter output, and decouple each supply pin with 100 nF ceramics placed within 2 mm. If a buck converter feeds the system, add an LC filter (ferrite bead plus bulk capacitance) before the CC1020 supply pins to keep switching ripple out of the PLL, where it appears as spurs degrading adjacent-channel performance.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in the retrieved web data; verify the RoHS/REACH declaration for the exact orderable suffix on ti.com/product/CC1020 before design-in.
