EFR32MR21A020F512IM32-C

Overview

The EFR32MR21A020F512IM32-C is a wireless Radio Co-Processor (RCP) based on the MG21 family, designed for gateways, hubs, and access points. It features an ARM Cortex-M33 core operating at 80 MHz with 512 kB Flash and 64 kB RAM in a QFN-32 package. The device supports 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4, Bluetooth, and Zigbee protocols. Key electrical specifications include a maximum output power of +20 dBm, receive sensitivity of -94.4 dBm at 2 Mbps GFSK, and active mode currents of 8.8 mA for RX and 33.8 mA for TX.

Feature Summary

• Optimized as a dedicated radio co-processor for gateway and hub architectures
• Integrates Secure Vault technology with physical unclonable function hardware
• Supports multiprotocol mesh networking including Thread and Zigbee

Applications

• Smart home gateways and hubs
• Wireless access points
• IoT network coordinators

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix '-C' against official Silicon Labs documentation to confirm temperature range and availability status. Ensure compatibility with Simplicity Studio development tools and check for moisture sensitivity handling requirements during assembly. Confirm that the RCP role aligns with your system architecture before procurement.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a dedicated radio processor is required to offload RF tasks from a main application CPU. It is suitable for designs needing high output power and multiprotocol support in a compact QFN32 footprint. Consider the MR21 series for applications prioritizing gateway functionality over end-node integration.

Part Context

This part belongs to the EFR32MR21 series, a subset of the Mighty Gecko family optimized specifically for radio co-processor roles. Unlike standard SoCs, it is tailored for host systems managing multiple connections. It shares the underlying MG21 silicon but is positioned for infrastructure devices rather than battery-powered sensors.

Replacement Considerations

Direct substitutes within the same package and pinout include other variants of the EFR32MR21 series such as the EFR32MR21A020F512IM32. Verify memory size and package type when selecting alternatives.