TDA5051AT/C1 - ASK Power Line Modem 1200 baud | NXP
MPN: TDA5051AT/C1 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.75 | $9.75 |
| 10 | $9.2 | $92.00 |
| 100 | $8.6 | $860.00 |
| 500 | $8.1 | $4,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.6 | $7,600.00 |
TDA5051AT/C1 Overview
A power line communication (PLC) modem is an interface IC that modulates digital data onto an existing AC or DC power distribution network, eliminating the need for dedicated communication wiring. Within the system hierarchy, the TDA5051AT/C1 sits at the physical layer of a home automation or telemetry chain: microcontroller -> modem IC -> coupling network -> power line -> remote modem IC -> microcontroller. Power line modems are a subset of telecom interface ICs and are widely used where retrofitting data cabling is impractical.
Key features of the TDA5051A family include full digital carrier generation and shaping, meaning the transmit signal is synthesized digitally for precise spectral control, and modulation/demodulation frequency settable by clock adjustment from either a microcontroller or the on-chip oscillator. The device also supports a high clock rate of 6 MHz. The receive path features a high-sensitivity RXIN input (82 dBmV per the NXP datasheet) with requirements for a 50 Hz rejection LC coupling network that doubles as an anti-aliasing filter for the internal digital demodulation processing.
Technically, the TDA5051A implements ASK modulation and demodulation entirely with digital signal processing clocked by a single clock source, which keeps carrier accuracy dependent on clock adjustment rather than external tuned components. This architecture simplifies BOM and improves carrier tolerance across units. The TXOUT output pin and the high-impedance RXIN input connect to the external coupling/filter network to the mains; the datasheet specifies DC decoupling and protection for both pins.
Typical applications include home automation (X-10-style lighting and appliance control), building telemetry, automatic meter reading, and industrial control over existing power lines. The single 5 V supply and SOIC-16 footprint suit both consumer and industrial control boards.
Design consideration: the carrier and baud rate are both derived from the clock, so a stable, accurate clock source (crystal or tightly-toleranced oscillator) is essential to interoperability between transmitters and receivers on the same power line, and the mandatory 50 Hz rejection coupling filter must be designed carefully for mains isolation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative MPNs, and application guidance not found on the standard NXP product page.
Drop-in alternatives for TDA5051AT/C1 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
TDA5051AT/C1,512
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TDA5051AT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TDA5051AT/C1 Specifications
| Function | Home automation modem IC (ASK over power line) |
| Modulation Type | ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) |
| Data Rate | 600 baud or 1200 baud |
| Transmission Medium | Home AC power supply network |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V (single supply) |
| Clock Rate | 6 MHz |
| Carrier Generation | Full digital carrier generation and shaping |
| RX Input Sensitivity | 82 dBmV (per NXP TDA5051A datasheet) |
| Clock Source | Microcontroller clock or on-chip oscillator |
| Package | 16-SOIC (0.295 inch, 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| Data Format | ASK over home power lines |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead Free Status | Lead Free |
TDA5051AT/C1 16-soic (0.295 inch, 7.50 mm width) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for TDA5051AT/C1 (16-soic (0.295 inch, 7.50 mm width) 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 TDA5051AT/C1.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
TDA5051AT/C1 is suitable for 6 applications: Home Automation Power Line Control, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Building Telemetry and Lighting Control, Industrial Control Over Existing Power Lines, Intercom and Door Entry Systems, Consumer Appliance Networking.
Home Automation Power Line Control
The TDA5051AT/C1 was purpose-built for home automation over the existing mains wiring: its 600/1200 baud ASK link carries lighting, heating, and appliance commands to nodes anywhere on the household power network without new cabling. The 5 V supply connects directly to standard 5 V microcontroller IO, and the fully digital carrier generation ensures consistent spectral output across production units. Placed behind the mandatory LC coupling network with 50 Hz rejection, the modem injects and extracts the carrier while the mains frequency is suppressed. The trade-off is modest bandwidth - sufficient for command traffic but not for media or high-rate telemetry.
Recommended
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)
Utility meters often sit on the same low-voltage distribution segment as the data concentrator, making the power line a natural communication bus. The TDA5051AT/C1's 1200 baud ASK mode provides enough throughput for periodic consumption reads, while its 82 dBmV RX sensitivity allows reception of weak signals from distant meters through the coupling network. Because the carrier is digitally generated and clock-derived, all meters on a segment can be tuned to a common carrier for interoperability. Designers must budget for line impedance variation and noise, relying on the anti-aliasing filter and protocol-level retransmission for robustness.
Recommended
Building Telemetry and Lighting Control
Commercial buildings with legacy lighting circuits can adopt the TDA5051AT/C1 to carry dimming and on/off commands over existing wiring, avoiding electrician rework. The single 5 V rail and SOIC-16 footprint let the modem integrate into compact luminaire driver boards or DIN-rail control modules. The microcontroller-clock option lets one central controller distribute an accurate clock reference, keeping all node carriers aligned across long building wiring runs. Because ASK is amplitude-sensitive to line noise, node placement should avoid heavy motor loads on the same phase, and the LC coupling network should be rated for the local mains standard.
Recommended
Industrial Control Over Existing Power Lines
In factory and process environments where 24 V or mains distribution already reaches every actuator, the TDA5051AT/C1 provides a low-cost control channel at 600/1200 baud. Its full digital carrier shaping limits emitted spectrum, easing EMC considerations on industrial buses, while the on-chip oscillator option removes the need for a crystal in cost-sensitive remote nodes. Typical use includes valve and relay control where command latency is acceptable. The IC must be paired with a coupling network rated for the industrial line conditions, and the RX input's 50 Hz rejection filter design becomes more demanding where heavy mains distortion is present.
Recommended
Intercom and Door Entry Systems
Two-wire and power-line based door entry and intercom installations can use the TDA5051AT/C1 to signal call and unlock commands at 1200 baud over existing building wiring. The modem's high receiver sensitivity (82 dBmV) compensates for the attenuation of long, lightly-loaded building runs, and the ASK format keeps transmit power and EMI low. Integration is simple: the microcontroller drives the modem serially, and the TXOUT/RXIN pins connect through the DC-decoupled coupling network specified in the NXP datasheet. Designers should verify that a reliable carrier clock source is shared or matched between indoor and outdoor units.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Networking
White goods and HVAC equipment can report status or receive setpoint updates through the mains using the TDA5051AT/C1, enabling basic demand-response and scheduling features without Wi-Fi provisioning complexity. The 5 V single-supply operation suits appliance control boards built around 5 V MCUs, and the 16-pin SOIC is wave- or reflow-solderable on high-volume assembly lines. The 600 baud mode offers improved noise margin for electrically noisy kitchens and laundry rooms where compressor and motor interference is present. Protocol design should include acknowledgements and retries, as ASK over mains offers no built-in link-layer protection.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for TDA5051AT/C1 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | TDA5051AT/C1,512 | TDA5051AT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SOIC-16 (7.50 mm) | SOIC-16 (7.50 mm) - same | SOIC-16 (7.50 mm) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Modulation | ASK over power line | ASK over power line | ASK over power line |
| Data Rate | 600 / 1200 baud | 600 / 1200 baud | 600 / 1200 baud |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V single supply | 5 V single supply | 5 V single supply |
| RX Sensitivity | 82 dBmV | 82 dBmV | 82 dBmV |
| RoHS / Lead Free | Compliant / Yes | Compliant / Yes | Compliant / Yes |
| Packing | Tape & Reel (,518 code) | Tape & Reel (,512 code) | Per ordering code |
Key Differentiators
- Full digital carrier generation and shaping (vs TDA5100)
- Selectable 600/1200 baud on one IC (vs TDA5211)
- Packing-code flexibility within an identical die (vs TDA5051AT/C1,512)
Design Notes
Implement the mains coupling network exactly per the NXP TDA5051A datasheet reference design: series capacitors must be safety-rated (X2 class) for direct mains connection, and the LC network must provide both 50 Hz rejection and anti-aliasing filtering before RXIN. The RXIN pin is high-impedance with 82 dBmV sensitivity - keep its trace short, guard it from TXOUT and digital switching traces, and DC decouple it as the datasheet requires. Place the modem IC and its decoupling capacitor away from relay and triac drive circuits on the same board.
The carrier and baud rate are both derived from the clock source. If different nodes on the same power line use mismatched clock tolerances, transmitter and receiver carriers can drift apart and interoperate poorly. Use a crystal or tightly-toleranced oscillator (or distribute clock from a master microcontroller as the datasheet allows) so all nodes share a consistent carrier. Do not assume the on-chip oscillator is adequate for mixed-vendor networks without measuring carrier accuracy across temperature.
Supply the TDA5051AT/C1 from a clean 5 V rail with local decoupling (100 nF ceramic close to the supply pin plus bulk capacitance). Appliance and industrial environments show significant conducted noise on locally-derived 5 V rails; noise on VDD modulates the digitally generated carrier amplitude and degrades ASK margin. If the board also drives relays or triacs from the same 5 V rail, isolate the modem supply with an LC or ferrite filter.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead free per DigiKey and digchip specification listings for TDA5051AT/C1,518. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict minerals status not stated in provided data.
