The SKY65336 and SKY65337 ZigBee front-end modules (FEMs) can greatly enhance the performance of a ZigBee radio solution when integrated with any ZigBee low power reference design. Both devices can transmit up to 100 times more power than a typical 0 dBm low power ZigBee radio transmitter and can reduce the level of unwanted spurious emissions to be compliant with the main regulatory standards without the use of external components such as filters. Ember’s EM250 with Skyworks’ FEM reference design [1] shows a good example of the complete subsystem.
The SKY65336 also integrates a low noise amplifier (LNA) that enhances the sensitivity of a ZigBee receiver by several dB, a key factor that extends the receiver range. The SKY65336 can also be used to implement high data rate solutions that require high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). This note describes the benefits of using the SKY65336 and SKY65337 FEMs in ZigBee radio systems and details how the devices can contribute to tremendously extending the ZigBee wireless range and throughput.