FM12BSP Wireless Transceiver - 434MHz

In s t o c k W R L - 1 2 7 7 0 R O H S

$6.95
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DESCRIPTION
FEATURES
DOCUMENTS
The RFM12BSP is a great inexpensive option for wireless communication; its an ISM band FSK
transceiver module implemented with a unique PLL. These modules operate in the 434MHZ
band and fully comply with FCC and ETSI regulations.
This module has a wide voltage supply range of 2.2-3.8VDC. An SPI interface is used to send
data and configure the RFM12 module. The configuration commands, described in the RF12 IC
Datasheet linked below, can be used to set the data rate, frequency band, wake-up timer,
transfer data, receive data from the 16-bit FIFO, and much more.
The module comes in a 14-pin SMD package, with pins spaced by 2mm. Check below for a
breakout board.
Features

Low-cost, high-performance
SPI compatible interface
High data rate (up to 115.2 kbps in digital mode, 256 kbps in analog mode)
Wakeup timer
2.2V-3.8V power supply
Analog and digital RSSI outputs
Differential antenna input/output
Automatic antenna tuning
16-bit RX data FIFO
PLL and zero IF technology
Fast PLL lock time
High resolution PLL with 2.5KHz step
Programmable TX frequency deviation (from 15 to 240 kHz)
Programmable receiver bandwidth (from 67 to 400 kHz)
Analog and digital signal strength indicator
Internal data filtering and clock recovery
Clock and reset signal output for external MCU use
10MHz crystal for PLL timing
15.9 x 16.1 mm (0.626 x 0.634 in)

RFM12BSP Wireless Transceiver - 434MHz Product Help and

Resources
SKILLS NEEDED

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple
solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

3 Soldering Skill Level: Competent - You will encounter surface mount components and
basic SMD soldering techniques are required.
See all skill levels

Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program
or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

3 Programming Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex
and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to
have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your
own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your
specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
See all skill levels

Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You
may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

Electrical
3

Prototyping Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or

schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will
only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications
type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A
worth of current.
See all skill levels

Member #948689 / about a month ago / 2

This is a great tutorial with antenna references:

http://blog.strobotics.com.au/2008/06/17/rfm12-tutorial-part2/

Member #363340 / about 2 years ago / 1

Great product and I have used both the 434mhz and 915mhz with no issues. One thing
that I would like to point out is that you can get the exact same module in whatever
quantity you want, directly from the manufacturer for about $4 with no manufacture lead
time and 4 day shipping.

o Sercan / about 2 months ago / 1

Do you mean rf-solutions or hoperf? I couldnt get a reply from hoperf for my e-mail.

Shred / about 4 years ago / 4

 Gaaah it uses 2mm pin spacing! Why? For the love of God, why!!?? To use this, Id
need to buy a breakout board which costs nearly as much as the module itself.

o RJR / about 4 years ago / 1

I made mine work in a breadboard by bending the tops of a breakout header to fit the
spacing. Pins 1 and 14 (or was it 7 and 8) arent required for use with an ATMega -
one is a 2nd GND that can be wired to the other ground without connecting the header,
I dont remember what the other pin is Anyway, that works somewhat. Agree about
the breakout though - see my question below.

Sam6 / about 4 years ago / 3

Just a heads up, but these models do not appear to be FCC, etc pre-certified. A
statement within the product description (fully comply with FCC and ETSI regulations")
can be misinterpreted to mean a pre-certified This means that although this module
compiles with the FCC regulations using it within a commercial product will require formal
FCC approvals which are quite costly.

o keyserkid131 / about 4 years ago / 1

If I am correct, and correct me if Im wrong, I believe in the United States one must first
acquire an amateur radio license of any class to transmit in the 70cm band (420-
450MHz).

MikeGrusin / about 4 years ago / 1

Its complicated but you are essentially correct that the 433MHz parts are intended
for ISM region 1 (Europe, Africa, Mideast, Russia) while the 915MHz parts are
intended for region 2 (Americas). There is considerable overlap and local differences
that arent covered in the above maps. These devices are designed to be low-power
and noninterfering with other devices, so unless youre deploying a commercial
product or a very large number of them this isnt likely to affect you directly.

gwiley / about 4 years ago / 1

While the statement is mostly true the FCC requires certification to Part 15 for just
about anything you build - even if it is made up of compliant parts. Even if this radio
bore a Part 15 certification you could not build a device using it and inherit an FCC
certification.

RJR / about 4 years ago / 3

Will there be a real breakout this time? The one below is for the RFM22 which has more
pins. Also, I assume the arduino thield for the 22 cant be used for the 12, or is the SPI
and power pinout he same?

o Member #541429 / about 4 years ago / 2

 A couple of breakout board options were posted to the old product comments. Given
this new product is just a mechnical change (or something) pressumably the old
breakout boards should work just fine. The details were:
RFM12B Breakout Board PCB - solder
yourself: http://modtronicsaustralia.com/shop/rfm12b-breakout-board-bare-pcb-rf-
wireless-module/
RFM12B Breakout Board with soldered
module: http://modtronicsaustralia.com/shop/rfm12b-breakout-board-wireless-module/

Member #235042 / about 4 years ago / 1

My wife purchased me a few of the older module RFM12Bs SFE was selling and
they are great! Im going to need some more soon and was a bit worried they had
gone EOL - Im hoping with this new model it means that isnt a problem.
Id googled breakout boards for these modules and had come up with ones listed
above as well. Ive got a couple and they seem to work really well for me.

Member #521601 / about 3 years ago / 1

They dont have plan to discontinue this module. Pls dont worry.

opensourcerer / about 4 years ago / 2

Wait a second why does it say radio? i though it was supposed to be a food. Can
anyone explain?

Member #66993 / about 4 years ago / 2

Whats the operating range of these things?

o keyserkid131 / about 4 years ago / 1

Its all in the antenna. Google DIY ground plane antenna. Ive built a few of them and
although they have no gain, the go miles farther than a whip.

o RJR / about 4 years ago / 1

Quite a bit actually. There are quite a few products using the Hope RF modules.
Jeelabs, strobotics, openenergymonitor, lowpowerlab. etc.
Some details on range here: http://talk.jeelabs.net/topic/180
Google RFM12B range (I think the unit above is similar, cant be sure as the
datasheet links to the old module) for more info.

o Scott17 / about 4 years ago / 1

Dont expect much with a wire-whip antenna. The datasheet references application
note IA ISM-AN1 which seems to be relabeled by different manufacturers. There is
comparison of different antenna types in table form for each of the bands. Google it.
Unless someone else has already done some experimenting, theres no short answer,
Im afraid. (as far as I know)

Member #579836 / about 3 years ago / 1

 Hi!, Anyone know whats the address of the control registers ?

o Member #579836 / about 3 years ago / 1

Nevermind.

shodan45 / about 4 years ago / 1

So this is the new version of the RFM12B, https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9582 ? It

looks like the chip-on-board blob was changed to an SMD IC, but are there any other
changes? Is it 100% compatible with the old RFM12B?

o Member #521601 / about 3 years ago / 1

Yes, all the functions are the same as the old module. The only difference is IC
package. The old one is with RF12B die and the new one is with packaged IC.