Atmel has introduced a three-member family of AVR microcontroller-based RF transmitters for remote keyless entry (RKE) applications. The devices are system-in-package (SiP) or multi-chip module (MCM) solutions incorporating Atmel's ATtiny44V microcontroller and T5750/53/54 RF transmitter. Customers can reuse existing T5754/53/50 or AVR designs, reducing time-to-market.

Combining current-generation RF and microcontroller technologies with legacy transponder protocol compatibility, Atmel’s devices can be used in high-volume, unidirectional RF RKE car keys with a separate immobilizer transponder. The firm said stacked SiP packaging results in material cost saving of about 10% and board area saving of about 20% compared with conventional two-chip solutions.

The devices cover all worldwide frequencies (ATA5773: 315 MHz, ATA5774: 433 MHz, and ATA5771: 868 to 928 MHz) and come in 5 mm x 5 mm QFN24 packages, so they can be used in very small key fob designs at competitive costs (pricing starts at $1.10 for 500k-piece quantities).
Atmel’s RF transmitter family will be updated in Q1/2009 with two additional car access devices, one targeting RKE combi keys and the other for Passive Entry Go (PEG) keys.