Microchip's Keeloq Secures Embedded iAppliances

By Bernard Cole
iApplianceWeb
(05/12/02, 03:38:32 PM EDT)

Chandler, Az. --- Microchip Technology Inc.'s new wireless rfHCS362 encoders from Microchip Technology, Inc. integrate a built-in radio frequency (RF) transmitter with the company's highly secure KeeLoq access control system.

Providing both standard, as well as new enhanced KeeLoq features, the rfHCS362G and rfHCS362F offer a programmable 32-bit serial number and two 64-bit user-programmable encryption keys for secure identification.

Use of KeeLoq code hopping technology makes each transmission unique, eliminating the threat of capture and re-send schemes while the length of the transmission eliminates the threat of code scanning. Targeted applications include electronic door locks, garage door openers, remote keyless entry (RKE), burglar alarm systems, property identification, remote control, auto immobilizers and theft protection.

The rfHCS362G features an integrated 310-440 MHz Amplitude Shift Key (ASK) transmitter and the rfHCS362F features a Frequency Shift Key (FSK) transmitter in the same frequency range. Both devices feature adjustable output power (-12dBm to +2dBM) and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) phase locked to a quartz crystal reference to allow implementation of a narrow receiver bandwidth to maximize range and interference immunity even at extremely low RF power levels.

It also includes button queuing (to increase the number of functions and enable a single button to perform multiple functions), Manchester and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) encoding, and timing output bits to determine how long a button was pressed. Programmable time-out options, programmable data rates and code word blanking options, a tunable oscillator and low voltage detector are additional features.

The 18-pin SOIC rfHCS362G costs $2.14 each and the 20-pin SSOP rfHCS362F costs $2.24 each in 1,000-unit quantities. Samples are available now. For more information go to http://www.microchip.com.