RFX2401C 
Production Data Sheet 
 
 
CMOS 2.4GHZ ZIGBEE/ISM TRANSMIT/RECEIVE RFeIC 
 
Description 
The RFX2401C is a fully integrated, single-chip, single-die RFeIC (RF Front-end 
Integrated  Circuit)  which  incorporates  all  the  RF  functionality  needed  for  IEEE 
802.15.4/ZigBee, wireless sensor network, and any other wireless systems in the 
2.4GHz ISM band. The RFX2401C architecture integrates the PA, LNA, Transmit 
and  Receive  switching  circuitry,  the  associated  matching  network,  and  the 
harmonic filter all in a CMOS single-chip device.  
Typical  high  power  applications  include  home  and  industrial  automation,  smart 
power,  and  RF4CE  among  others.  Combining  superior  performance,  high 
sensitivity and efficiency, low noise, small form factor, and low cost, RFX2401C 
is  the  perfect  solution  for  applications  requiring  extended  range  and  bandwidth. 
RFX2401C  has  simple  and  low-voltage  CMOS  control  logic,  and  requires 
minimal external components for system implementation.  
Applications 
  ZigBee Extended Range Devices 
  ZigBee Smart Power 
  Wireless Sound and Audio Systems 
  Home and Industrial Automation 
  Wireless Sensor Networks 
  Custom 2.4GHz Radio Systems 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FEATURES 
 
  2.4GHz  ZigBee High Power Single-Chip, Single-Die 
  ESD Protection Circuitry on All Ports 
RF Front-End IC 
  Combined TX / RX Transceiver Port and Single 
Antenna Port 
  2.4GHz Transmit High Power Amplifier with Low-
Pass Harmonic Filter 
  Low Noise Amplifier 
  DC Decoupled RF Ports 
 
Internal RF Decoupling on All VDD Bias Pins 
  Low Noise Figure for the Receive Channel 
  Very Low DC Power Consumption 
  Full On-chip Matching and Decoupling Circuitry 
  Transmit / Receive Switch Circuitry 
  Minimal External Components Required 
  High Transmit Signal Linearity Meeting Standards for 
  50-Ohm Input / Output Matching 
OQPSK Modulation 
 
Integrated Power Detector for Transmit Power 
Monitor and Control 
 
  Low Voltage (1.2V) CMOS Control Logic 
  Market Proven CMOS Technology 
  3 x 3 x 0.55mm Small Outline QFN-16 Package with 
Exposed Ground Pad 
This product document is a general list of parameters to provide information on the capabilities of this device and is subject to change without notice. 
RFeIC® is a registered trademark of RFaxis, Inc. All rights reserved. 
  
 
 
 
RFaxis, Inc. | 7595 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 | Irvine, California 92618 | phone: 949.825.6300 fax: 949.336.1361 website: www.rfaxis.com 
1 
Rev 2.6 
July'12 
  
 
hot 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GNDGND12341211109151614135678GND17GNDGNDGNDGNDDNCGNDVDDVDDGNDTXRXGNDANTRXENTXEN
RFX2401C 
Production Data Sheet 
 
 
PIN ASSIGNMENTS: 
Pin Number 
Pin Name 
Description 
4 
5 
6 
10 
TXRX 
TXEN 
RXEN 
RF signal to / from the Transceiver: DC shorted to GND 
CMOS Input to Control TX Enable 
CMOS Input to Control RX Enable 
ANT 
RF Signal from the PA or RF Signal Applied to the LNA; DC Shorted to GND 
1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9,  
11, 12, 15, 17 
13 
14 
16 
GND 
DNC 
VDD 
VDD 
 
 
PIN-OUT DIAGRAM: 
Ground – Must be connected to Ground in the Application Circuit 
Reserved – Do Not Connect in the Application Circuit 
Alternative Voltage Supply Pin, internally connected to Pin 16, no connection 
needed  
Voltage Supply Connection 
 
 
(Top View) 
 
 
This product document is a general list of parameters to provide information on the capabilities of this device and is subject to change without notice. 
RFeIC® is a registered trademark of RFaxis, Inc. All rights reserved. 
  
 
 
 
RFaxis, Inc. | 7595 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 | Irvine, California 92618 | phone: 949.825.6300 fax: 949.336.1361 website: www.rfaxis.com 
2 
Rev 2.6 
July'12 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16512341514136789101112GNDGNDGNDTXRXTXENGNDVDDGNDGNDANTGNDRXENGNDDNCVDD17GNDGND
RFX2401C 
Production Data Sheet 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Max 
4.0 
3.6 
350 
1 
+5 
+5 
Conditions 
 
Through 1Kohm resistor 
Through VDD Pins when TX is “ON” 
 
All Operating Modes 
When RX is “ON” 
-50 
+125 
No RF and DC Voltages Applied 
Appropriate care required according to 
JEDEC Standards 
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS: 
Parameters 
Units 
Min 
DC VDD Voltage Supply 
DC Control Pin Voltage 
V 
V 
DC VDD Current Consumption 
mA 
DC Control Pin Current 
Consumption 
TX RF Input Power 
ANT RF Input Power 
Storage Ambient Temperature 
μA 
dBm 
dBm 
oC 
0 
0 
 
 
 
 
Note: Sustained operation at or above the Absolute Maximum Ratings for any one or combinations of the above parameters may  result in permanent                                   
damage to the device and is not recommended. All Maximum RF Input Power Ratings assume 50-Ohm terminal impedance. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RECOMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS: 
Parameters 
Units 
Min 
Typ 
Max 
Conditions 
DC VDD Voltage Supply 
Control Voltage “High” 
Control Voltage “Low” 
Operating Ambient Temperature 
V 
V 
V 
oC 
2.0 
1.2 
0 
-40 
3.3 
 
 
 
3.6 
VDD 
0.3 
+85 
All VDD Pins 
Through 1Kohm resistor 
 
 
 
 
 
This product document is a general list of parameters to provide information on the capabilities of this device and is subject to change without notice. 
RFeIC® is a registered trademark of RFaxis, Inc. All rights reserved. 
  
 
 
 
RFaxis, Inc. | 7595 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 | Irvine, California 92618 | phone: 949.825.6300 fax: 949.336.1361 website: www.rfaxis.com 
3 
Rev 2.6 
July'12 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RFX2401C 
Production Data Sheet 
 
 
 
TRANSMIT TECHNICAL PARAMETERS (VDD=3.3V; T=+25 oC) 
 
Parameters 
Units 
Min 
Typ 
Max 
Conditions 
Operating Frequency Band 
Saturated Output Power 
Small-Signal Gain 
Second Harmonic 
Third Harmonic 
Input Return Loss 
Output Return Loss 
GHz 
dBm 
dB 
dBm/MHz 
dBm/MHz 
dB 
dB 
Input / Output Impedance Single-Ended 
Ohm 
TX Quiescent Current 
TX High Power Current  
Load VSWR for Stability (Pout=+20dBm) 
Load VSWR for Ruggedness 
(Pout=+20dBm)  
mA 
mA 
N/A 
N/A 
2.4 
 
2.525 
All RF Pins Terminated by 50 Ohm 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
+22 
25 
-15 
-20 
-10 
-8 
50 
17 
100 
6:1 
10:1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POUT = +20dBm, IEEE 802.15.4 
OQPSK modulation signal 
POUT = +20dBm, IEEE 802.15.4 
OQPSK modulation signal 
 
 
 
No RF Applied 
POUT = +20dBm 
All Non-Harmonically Related Spurs 
Less than -43dBm/MHz 
No Damage 
 
RECEIVE TECHNICAL PARAMETERS (VDD=3.3V; T=+25 oC) 
 
Parameters 
Units 
Min 
Typ 
Max 
Conditions 
Operating Frequency Band 
GHz 
2.4 
 
2.525 
All RF Pins Terminated by 50 Ohm 
Gain 
Noise Figure 
Input Return Loss 
Output Return Loss 
RF Port Impedance 
RX Quiescent Current  
Input P1dB 
 
 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
Ohm 
mA 
dBm 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12 
2.5 
-12 
-15 
50 
10 
-8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No RF Applied 
At ANT Pin 
This product document is a general list of parameters to provide information on the capabilities of this device and is subject to change without notice. 
RFeIC® is a registered trademark of RFaxis, Inc. All rights reserved. 
  
 
 
 
RFaxis, Inc. | 7595 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 | Irvine, California 92618 | phone: 949.825.6300 fax: 949.336.1361 website: www.rfaxis.com 
4 
Rev 2.6 
July'12 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RFX2401C 
Production Data Sheet 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDBY MODE TECHNICAL PARAMTERS: 
Parameters 
Units 
Min 
Typ 
Max 
Conditions 
DC Shutdown Current 
TXRX-ANT Insertion Loss (S21) 
ANT-TXRX Insertion Loss (S21) 
Return Loss (S11) 
μA 
dB 
dB 
dB 
Transmit-Receive Switching Time 
nsec 
Shut-Down and “ON” State Switching Time 
nsec 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-50 
-50 
-1.5 
800 
800 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pin < -20dBm 
 
From TXRX Port 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTROL LOGIC TRUTH TABLE 
 
 
 
TXEN 
RXEN 
1 
0 
0 
X 
1 
0 
Operating Conditions 
TX Active 
RX Active 
Chip is Shut-down 
 
 
Note: 
 
“1” denotes high voltage state (> 1.2V)  
“0” denotes low voltage stage (<0.3V) at Control Pins 
“X” denotes do not care: either “1” or “0” can be applied 
This product document is a general list of parameters to provide information on the capabilities of this device and is subject to change without notice. 
RFeIC® is a registered trademark of RFaxis, Inc. All rights reserved. 
  
 
 
 
RFaxis, Inc. | 7595 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 | Irvine, California 92618 | phone: 949.825.6300 fax: 949.336.1361 website: www.rfaxis.com 
5 
Rev 2.6 
July'12 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APPLICATION CIRCUIT GUIDELINES 
RFX2401C 
Production Data Sheet 
 
 
 
PCB LAND PATTERN 
 
 
This product document is a general list of parameters to provide information on the capabilities of this device and is subject to change without notice. 
RFeIC® is a registered trademark of RFaxis, Inc. All rights reserved. 
  
 
 
 
RFaxis, Inc. | 7595 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 | Irvine, California 92618 | phone: 949.825.6300 fax: 949.336.1361 website: www.rfaxis.com 
 
6 
Rev 2.6 
July'12 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GNDGND12341211109151614135678GND17GNDGNDGNDGNDDNCGNDVDDVDDGNDTXRXGNDANTRXENTXENTransceiverTXRXTXEN50 OHM. Central Ground PadUse thermal vias toAssure efficient heatdissipationRF Port is at DC GND potential!If the Transceiver TXRX port has DC present, use a capacitor to block this voltage from reaching the RFX2401C.Locate bypass capacitor asClose to the ground pad asPossible. Use 2-3 ground viasAntenna Port is at DC GND potential!If the Antenna circuits have  DC present, use a capacitor to block this voltage from reaching the RFX2401C.50 OHM3.3V1KΩ1KΩRXEN3.5mm3.0mm1.7mm x1.7mm0.65mm0.5mm0.25mm0.25mm
RFX2401C 
Production Data Sheet 
 
 
PACKAGE DIMENSIONS: 
 
 
 
 
PACKAGE MARKING: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This product document is a general list of parameters to provide information on the capabilities of this device and is subject to change without notice. 
RFeIC® is a registered trademark of RFaxis, Inc. All rights reserved. 
  
 
 
 
RFaxis, Inc. | 7595 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 | Irvine, California 92618 | phone: 949.825.6300 fax: 949.336.1361 website: www.rfaxis.com 
7 
Rev 2.6 
July'12 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AA1bDED2E2Pin 1 MarkPin 1eAA1bDD2EE2eLMin0.50.000.202.901.652.901.650.450.35Nom0.550.020.253.001.703.001.700.500.40Max0.60.050.303.101.753.101.750.550.45Dimensions (mm)LRFAXISPin 1 MarkSecond LinePart NumberThird LineRevisionDate CodeX2401CKAYYWWFirst LineCompany Name
TAPE AND REEL INFORMATION: 
 
 
RFX2401C 
Production Data Sheet 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This product document is a general list of parameters to provide information on the capabilities of this device and is subject to change without notice. 
RFeIC® is a registered trademark of RFaxis, Inc. All rights reserved. 
  
 
 
 
RFaxis, Inc. | 7595 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 | Irvine, California 92618 | phone: 949.825.6300 fax: 949.336.1361 website: www.rfaxis.com 
8 
Rev 2.6 
July'12