CC1120RHBR - Sub-1GHz RF Transceiver 200kbps | TI
MPN: CC1120RHBR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.98 | $2.98 |
| 10 | $2.68 | $26.80 |
| 100 | $2.21 | $221.00 |
| 500 | $1.86 | $930.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.52 | $1,520.00 |
CC1120RHBR Overview
A sub-1 GHz RF transceiver is an integrated circuit that combines a low-IF or zero-IF receiver, a direct-modulation or upconversion transmitter, and a fractional-N frequency synthesizer on one die, forming the physical layer of a wireless system. Within the power-management-and-connectivity hierarchy of an embedded design, the transceiver sits between the host MCU and the antenna, typically communicating over SPI.
Key features include integrated RF and IF filters that eliminate external SAW and IF filters, excellent blocking performance for congested narrowband networks, support for FSK, GFSK, MSK and OOK modulation, and four frequency bands: 164-192 MHz, 274-320 MHz, 410-480 MHz and 820-960 MHz. High-accuracy frequency estimation and compensation registers correct for crystal tolerance, reducing system BOM cost.
The architecture uses an integrated oscillator generating the reference for the synthesizer, ADC and digital blocks. Programmable packet handlers, RSSI measurement and optional FEC reduce MCU load. The CC1120 is designed for very low-power, low-voltage, cost-effective wireless systems, per TI's product description.
Typical applications are Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band and Short Range Device (SRD) links: smart metering, industrial wireless sensor networks, and long-range telemetry where receiver sensitivity and blocking tolerance matter more than raw throughput.
Design consideration: the exposed pad is the primary RF ground path, so a solid via-in-padded ground connection and a 40+ MHz crystal with tight tolerance are essential for achieving the -123 dBm sensitivity figure.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for CC1120RHBR — 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 CC1120RHBR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Product Type, Supply Voltage, Frequency Bands, Modulation.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
CC1125RHBR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →CC1121RHBR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →CC1120RHBT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →CC1120RHBR Specifications
| Product Type | Sub-1 GHz RF Transceiver |
| Frequency Bands | 164-192 MHz, 274-320 MHz, 410-480 MHz, 820-960 MHz |
| Modulation | FSK, GFSK, MSK, OOK |
| Maximum Data Rate | 200 kbps |
| Receiver Sensitivity | -123 dBm at 1.2 kbps |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad (5x5 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RF Family / Standard | General ISM < 1 GHz |
| Integrated Filters | Yes (no external SAW/IF filters required) |
| Antenna Connector | Antenna port (external network) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Interface | SPI |
CC1120RHBR 32-vfqfn exposed pad (5x5 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for CC1120RHBR (32-vfqfn exposed pad (5x5 mm) 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 CC1120RHBR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
CC1120RHBR is suitable for 6 applications: Smart Metering / Wireless M-Bus, Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks, Long-Range Telemetry and SCADA, Security and Alarm Systems, Home Automation and IoT Hubs, Toy, Remote Control and SRD Links.
Smart Metering / Wireless M-Bus
The CC1120RHBR fits utility metering because its -123 dBm sensitivity at 1.2 kbps maximizes link budget for battery-powered meters buried in metal cabinets and basements, where every dB of path margin extends battery life by allowing lower TX power. Support for the 169 MHz band (164-192 MHz range) aligns with European wireless M-Bus (wM-Bus) S-mode and T-mode meter profiles, and the 868 MHz band is covered by the 820-960 MHz range. The integrated channel filtering provides the blocking tolerance needed in congested meter rooftops. In a typical node, the CC1120 connects to an MCU over SPI with a 4-wire interface and GPIOs for packet handling; the fully integrated filters eliminate SAW filter cost across a multi-million-unit meter BOM. TI's 169 MHz wM-Bus reference designs are built directly on the CC1120 family, providing certified stack compatibility and tested RF front-end layouts.
Recommended
Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks
In factory and process-plant sensor networks, spectrum is crowded with motors, drives and legacy radios; the CC1120RHBR's excellent blocking performance and narrowband operation at 433 MHz or 868 MHz (410-480 and 820-960 MHz ranges) let nodes coexist where wideband radios desensitize. The 200 kbps maximum rate is ample for telemetry of temperature, pressure and vibration data, while operating at low rates unlocks the full -123 dBm sensitivity for hard-to-reach nodes at the network edge. The 2.0-3.6 V supply range allows direct operation from a 3.0 V lithium coin cell or 3.3 V rail, and programmable packet handling with FIFOs offloads a low-power host MCU, letting it sleep between events. Reduced BOM cost from integrated SAW/IF filtering matters when deploying thousands of nodes per site.
Recommended
Long-Range Telemetry and SCADA
Remote telemetry links - water-level monitoring, agricultural stations, pipeline cathodic-protection sensors - demand maximum range from minimal infrastructure. The CC1120RHBR's -123 dBm sensitivity at 1.2 kbps, combined with narrowband 433 MHz or 868 MHz operation, supports multi-kilometer line-of-sight links with simple wire antennas; at 9.6 kbps or lower, usable range extends dramatically relative to wideband radios. The high-accuracy frequency estimation and compensation registers tolerate low-cost crystals while holding narrowband channels on frequency - critical where channel spacing is 12.5 kHz or less per SRD regulation. In gateway nodes, pairing the CC1120 with the CC1190 front-end adds up to +27 dBm PA gain on TX and low-noise amplification on RX, roughly doubling range in both directions while keeping the same SPI software stack.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Systems
Wireless intrusion and fire-alarm peripherals (contacts, PIRs, sirens) benefit from the CC1120RHBR's combination of low RX current and -123 dBm sensitivity, allowing battery devices to reach a central panel through multiple wall attenuations in residential and commercial buildings. Operation in the 868 MHz SRD band (820-960 MHz range) keeps links out of the crowded 2.4 GHz space used by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, reducing false-alarm risk from interference; strong blocking performance maintains sensitivity near routers and microwave ovens. FSK/GFSK modulation with programmable packet handling and CRC lets the host implement authenticated messaging without heavy MCU load. The 200 kbps capability also supports fast arming/disarming synchronization bursts, while the long-life battery design point comes from low standby and periodic-wakeup register modes documented in the TI datasheet.
Recommended
Home Automation and IoT Hubs
Sub-GHz IoT hubs and battery sensors use the CC1120RHBR where penetration through walls matters more than bandwidth: 433 MHz and 868 MHz links (410-480, 820-960 MHz ranges) penetrate concrete far better than 2.4 GHz, and the -123 dBm sensitivity keeps garage-door, irrigation and mailbox sensors connected at the property boundary. Data rates up to 200 kbps handle firmware-over-the-air updates on 868 MHz where regulation permits duty-cycled higher throughput, while periodic sensor reports run at 1.2-38.4 kbps for maximum range. The integrated frequency-compensation registers allow a single low-cost crystal across production, and the SPI host interface works with any mainstream MCU, avoiding vendor lock-in at the application layer. For hub designs, a CC1120 plus CC1190 front-end delivers class-leading RX sensitivity and TX power on one 868 MHz port.
Recommended
Toy, Remote Control and SRD Links
Cost-effective short-range device (SRD) links - RC toys, garage openers, industrial remote controls - are the market TI explicitly targets with the CC1120's description as a 'cost-effective wireless system' part for ISM/SRD applications. The single-chip integration of all filters removes the SAW filter that dominates BOM cost in legacy SRD designs, and the 274-320 MHz and 410-480 MHz ranges cover common 315 MHz and 433 MHz remote-control bands worldwide. OOK modulation support keeps the physical layer simple and compatible with legacy encoders, while MSK/GFSK at up to 200 kbps supports newer encrypted rolling-code protocols with low latency. The 2.0 V supply floor allows operation directly from two alkaline cells in hand-held transmitters, and the 32-VQFN 5x5 mm footprint fits compact key-fob PCBs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for CC1120RHBR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | CC1125RHBR | CC1121RHBR | CC1120RHBT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Package | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) Exposed Pad | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) Exposed Pad - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) Exposed Pad - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) Exposed Pad - same |
| Frequency Bands | 164-192 / 274-320 / 410-480 / 820-960 MHz | Same bands | Same bands | Same bands |
| Max Data Rate | 200 kbps | 200 kbps | 200 kbps | 200 kbps |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Lifecycle Status | Active | Active | Active | Active (smaller reel qty) |
Key Differentiators
- Cost-optimized member of the high-performance CC112x narrowband family (vs CC1125RHBR)
- Fully integrated RF/IF filtering (vs legacy discrete narrowband receivers)
- Crystal-error compensation in hardware (vs CC1120RHBT (same die))
Design Notes
The exposed pad on the 32-VQFN is the main RF ground return for the CC1120RHBR. Connect it to a solid ground plane through an array of 9 or more vias directly under the pad; a single via or thermally-relieved connection degrades sensitivity and TX harmonics. Follow the TI CC1120EM reference design layer stack: keep the RF traces (RF_N/RF_P to balun/antenna) on the top layer with ground stitching vias along both sides, and never route digital signals under the RF path.
Supply the CC1120RHBR from a clean 2.0-3.6 V rail; use separate LC filtering or an LDO (e.g., TPS73633) for the RF supply domain if sharing a buck converter with digital circuitry, since switching ripple appears as spurs around the LO and degrades narrowband RX sensitivity. Decouple each VDD pin per the TI datasheet reference schematic - typically 100 nF close to each pin plus bulk capacitance near the chip. Verify TX current at your programmed output power against the datasheet tables when sizing the regulator.
Crystal choice directly determines achievable sensitivity and channel accuracy: the CC1120's high-accuracy frequency estimation compensates crystal error, but narrowband 12.5 kHz channels still require a tight-tolerance crystal (typically +/-10 ppm class) - confirm the exact requirement in the TI datasheet before selecting a cheaper part. Route SPI traces short with series termination if long, and keep the 32 MHz oscillator area free of switching signals. Use TI SmartRF Studio to generate validated register settings rather than hand-calculating configuration.
Do not copy the CC1120RHBT footprint checklists blindly to RHBR without verifying reel quantity and MSL handling per TI packing documentation. A frequent error is omitting the balun/matching network component values from the datasheet's band-specific reference designs - values differ between 169, 433 and 868 MHz, so reuse only the matching band schematic. Finally, remember SRD duty-cycle regulations: firmware must enforce duty limits, which the CC1120's packet and timer hardware can assist with, but it is not automatic.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per TI product page and distributor listings. REACH, halogen-free and conflict-minerals declarations should be obtained from TI's material composition certificate for the CC1120.
