EM3587-IRT Equivalent & Substitute Parts Reference

Part Overview

The EM3587-IRT is a Silicon Labs RF transceiver IC designed for 2.4GHz wireless applications including 802.15.4, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11g, and Zigbee® protocols. This device operates as a TxRx Only module without integrated microcontroller functionality. The EM3587-IRT is classified as an obsolete product, necessitating identification of active equivalent or substitute components for new designs and ongoing production support.

Substiute Parts

EM3587-IRT

Silicon LabsIn Stock: 894EM3587-IRT Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B

Silicon LabsIn Stock: 685EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the EM3587-IRT requires evaluation based on the following critical parameters:

Frequency Compatibility: The EM3587-IRT operates in the 2.4GHz ~ 2.5GHz band. Substitute parts must support this frequency range to maintain RF performance in existing circuit designs.

Package Compatibility: The 48-VFQFN Exposed Pad package is a critical mechanical constraint. Substitute parts must use identical or pin-compatible packaging to ensure PCB layout compatibility without redesign.

Serial Interface Support: The EM3587-IRT provides I2C, SPI, UART, and USB interfaces. Substitute parts must support at minimum SPI and UART for host microcontroller communication in typical applications.

Supply Voltage Range: The dual voltage supply specification (1.18V ~ 1.32V and 1.7V ~ 1.9V) defines power delivery requirements. Substitute parts must operate within compatible voltage ranges.

RF Performance Metrics: Sensitivity (-100dBm), power output (8dBm), and data rate (5Mbps) establish baseline RF performance. Substitute parts meeting or exceeding these specifications maintain functional equivalence.

Protocol Support: While the EM3587-IRT supports multiple protocols (802.15.4, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11g, Zigbee®), substitute parts require support for the specific protocol(s) used in the target application.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Product Status Consideration: The EM3587-IRT is classified as obsolete. The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B is an active product from the same manufacturer (Silicon Labs), ensuring continued availability, technical support, and supply chain stability for new designs and production continuity.

Compliance and Certification: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B carries ROHS3 compliance certification and MSL Level 2 rating, meeting modern environmental and reliability standards required for commercial and industrial applications.

Package Consideration: Both devices use 48-VFQFN Exposed Pad packaging. However, the EM3587-IRT uses a 7x7mm footprint while the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B uses a 6x6mm footprint. This dimensional difference requires PCB layout verification and potential redesign of the RF matching network and component placement.

Integrated Microcontroller: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B integrates a microcontroller (MCU) alongside the RF transceiver, eliminating the requirement for an external host processor in applications where the EM3587-IRT was paired with a separate microcontroller. This integration reduces component count and board space.

Power Consumption: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B demonstrates significantly lower current consumption in both receive (4.4mA ~ 5.1mA vs. 28mA) and transmit (5mA ~ 19.1mA vs. 33.5mA) modes, providing substantial power efficiency improvements for battery-powered applications.

Protocol Support: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B supports Bluetooth v5.3 with extended modulation options (2FSK, 2GFSK, DSSS, GMSK, MSK, O-QPSK). Applications requiring 802.15.4, WiFi 802.11g, or Zigbee® protocols must verify protocol support in the target device's firmware and software stack.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B directly replace the EM3587-IRT without PCB modifications?

A: Direct replacement without PCB modifications is not possible. The package footprint differs (7x7mm vs. 6x6mm), requiring PCB layout changes. Additionally, the integrated MCU architecture differs from the TxRx-only design of the EM3587-IRT, necessitating firmware and application software adaptation.

Q: What protocols does the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B support compared to the EM3587-IRT?

A: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B is specified for Bluetooth v5.3. Applications requiring 802.15.4, WiFi 802.11g, or Zigbee® protocols must verify protocol support through Silicon Labs documentation and firmware availability before design implementation.

Q: Is the supply voltage range of the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B compatible with existing EM3587-IRT power delivery circuits?

A: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B operates at 1.71V ~ 3.8V, which overlaps with the EM3587-IRT's 1.7V ~ 1.9V range but extends to higher voltages. Existing power delivery circuits designed for the EM3587-IRT's dual voltage specification may require verification and potential modification to ensure stable operation across the full voltage range of the substitute device.

Q: What are the implications of the integrated MCU in the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B for existing designs?

A: The integrated MCU eliminates the need for an external host processor, reducing component count and board complexity. However, this requires migration of host processor firmware to the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B's embedded processor, including porting of application code and validation of real-time performance requirements.

Q: How do the RF performance specifications compare between the two devices?

A: The EM3587-IRT provides higher sensitivity (-100dBm vs. -94.8dBm) and higher maximum data rate (5Mbps vs. 2Mbps). The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B provides higher power output (10dBm vs. 8dBm). Application-specific RF link budget analysis is required to determine if performance differences impact system functionality.

Q: Are there memory capacity differences that affect application porting?

A: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B provides double the flash memory (1024kB vs. 512kB) and double the RAM (128kB vs. 64kB). Applications with firmware exceeding 512kB flash or requiring more than 64kB RAM benefit from the increased memory. Conversely, applications with tight memory constraints may require optimization for the substitute device.

Q: What is the operating temperature range difference, and does it matter for my application?

A: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-B operates to 125°C (TA) compared to the EM3587-IRT's 85°C maximum. For applications in elevated ambient temperature environments or with thermal constraints, the extended temperature range of the substitute device provides additional design margin.