The RFM69 is the successor of the popular RFM22 which in turn was the successor of the RFM12.
This transceiver module is based on the RF69 transceiver chip that can be programmed via SPI interface. This chip in turn is based on Semtech SX1231 (20mW standard version) and Semtech SX1231H (100mW H version).
On the RF69 transceiver chip, look at the 4-digit number below RF69 to find out the production date. The first two numbers are the year, the second two numbers represent the week of year.
The board is available in four frequency versions: 315MHz, 433MHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz.
Board Variations
This board is available in four variants:
| Model | TX Power | Pins | Size | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RFM69(W) | 13dBm/20mW | 16 | 19.7x16mm | end of life |
| RFM69C(W) | 13dBm/20mW | 14 | 16x16mm | active, pin-compatible to older model RFM12B |
| RFM69H(W) | 20dBm/100mW | 16 | 19.7x16mm | end of life |
| RFM69HC(W) | 20dBm/100mW | 14 | pin-compatible to older model RFM12B |
The actual version is printed on the back side:
Technical Data
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 1.8-3.6V |
| Frequency | 387-464MHz |
| Output Power | 10dBm / 10mW |
| Modulation | FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK and OOK |
| Standby Current | 0.1uA |
| TX Operating Current | 45mA at 13dBa/20mW |
| RX Operating Current | 16mA |
| Transmission Rate | up to 300kbps (FSK) |
| Receiver Sensitivity | -115dBm |
| Extras | RSSI signal detection, hardware CRC, carrier sense, 64-byte RX and TX buffer |
| Interface | SPI |
Special Features
The transceiver chip comes with a number of useful functionalities built into its hardware:
- Manchester Encoder/Decoder
- Packetengine for synchronous word, CRC, Scrambling, AES-128 encryption
- 66bit FIFO buffer
- built-in temperature sensor
Pins
All pins are labeled on the back side:
| Pin | Description |
|---|---|
| GND | negative voltage |
| ANA | Antenna |
| GND | negative voltage |
| SCK | SPI-Interface, Clock |
| MISO | SPI-Interface, Data Out |
| MOSI | SPI-Interface, Data In |
| NSS | SPI-Interface, Chip Select |
| NC | not connected |
| 3.3V | 1.8-3.6V |
| DIO5 | ModeReady ClkOut, Data |
| DIO4 | |
| DIO3 | Fifo Full, PLL Lock, RSSI, SyncAddress, TXReady |
| DIO2 | FifoNotEmpty, Automode, Data |
| DIO1 | FifoLevel, FifoFull, FifoNotEmpty, PLL Lock, Timeout |
| DIO0 | PLL Lock, CrcOk, Payload Ready, SyncAddress, RSSI, PacketSent, TxReady |
| RESET | Reset |
Interface
This board uses the SPI interface to communicate with a microcontroller.
Software Libraries
Data Sheet
RF69 Transceiver Chip
Semtech SX1231
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(content created Apr 18, 2024)