EM3587-IRTR Equivalent & Substitute Parts Reference

Part Overview

The EM3587-IRTR 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, providing RF transmission and reception capabilities without integrated microcontroller functionality. The EM3587-IRTR is classified as Obsolete, making identification of functionally equivalent substitute components essential for ongoing design support, production continuity, and new project implementations where legacy protocol support is required.

Substiute Parts

EM3587-IRTR

Silicon LabsIn Stock: 965EM3587-IRTR Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR

Silicon LabsIn Stock: 929EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

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

Frequency Band Compatibility: The substitute must operate within the 2.4GHz ISM band to maintain RF performance in the same spectrum.

Package and Pinout: The 48-VFQFN Exposed Pad package is a primary mechanical constraint. Substitute parts must use identical or pin-compatible packages to ensure PCB layout compatibility.

Serial Interface Support: The EM3587-IRTR provides I2C, SPI, UART, and USB interfaces. Substitute devices must maintain these communication protocols for host microcontroller integration.

Supply Voltage Range: The dual voltage supply specification (1.18V ~ 1.32V and 1.7V ~ 1.9V) defines power delivery requirements. Substitutes must accommodate these voltage rails.

RF Protocol Support: While the EM3587-IRTR supports multiple protocols (802.15.4, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11g, Zigbee®), substitute devices may support different protocol subsets. Protocol compatibility must be verified against application requirements.

Device Architecture: The EM3587-IRTR is classified as TxRx Only, meaning it contains no integrated microcontroller. Substitutes may include integrated MCU functionality, which represents an architectural change but does not preclude substitution if other parameters align.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Active Production Status: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR is classified as Active, ensuring long-term availability and ongoing manufacturer support. The EM3587-IRTR Obsolete status creates supply chain risk for new designs and ongoing production.

Compliance and Certifications: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR carries ROHS3 Compliant certification and defined Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL 2, 1 Year), meeting modern environmental and handling standards. These certifications support regulatory compliance for products destined for regulated markets.

Package Compatibility: Both devices use 48-VFQFN Exposed Pad packages. The substitute uses a 6x6mm die size versus the main part's 7x7mm die size. PCB layout modifications may be required to accommodate the different footprint dimensions. Pin-to-pin compatibility must be verified against the specific application schematic.

Architectural Differences: The substitute includes integrated MCU functionality (Mighty Gecko architecture), whereas the EM3587-IRTR is TxRx Only. Applications currently using external microcontrollers may benefit from the integrated MCU, reducing component count and board space. Existing designs with dedicated external MCUs can still use the substitute by disabling or not utilizing the integrated MCU resources.

Power Consumption: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR demonstrates significantly lower receive current (4.4mA ~ 5.1mA versus 28mA) and transmit current (5mA ~ 19.1mA versus 33.5mA). This represents a substantial improvement in power efficiency, particularly beneficial for battery-powered applications.

Protocol Support: The substitute supports Bluetooth v5.3 as its primary protocol, with modulation support for O-QPSK (matching the main part). Applications requiring simultaneous 802.15.4, WiFi 802.11g, and Zigbee® support must verify that the substitute's Bluetooth v5.3 focus meets protocol requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR directly replace the EM3587-IRTR without PCB modifications?

A: Direct replacement requires verification of pin assignments and package footprint compatibility. While both use 48-VFQFN Exposed Pad packages, the substitute's 6x6mm die size differs from the main part's 7x7mm size. PCB layout review is necessary to confirm pad alignment and thermal management compatibility.

Q: What protocols does the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR support compared to the EM3587-IRTR?

A: The substitute is optimized for Bluetooth v5.3 and supports O-QPSK modulation. The main part supports 802.15.4, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11g, and Zigbee® with O-QPSK modulation. Applications requiring simultaneous multi-protocol operation must evaluate whether Bluetooth v5.3 alone meets functional requirements.

Q: How do the power consumption characteristics compare?

A: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR demonstrates substantially lower power consumption: receive current of 4.4mA ~ 5.1mA (versus 28mA) and transmit current of 5mA ~ 19.1mA (versus 33.5mA). This improvement is significant for battery-powered and energy-constrained applications.

Q: What is the impact of the integrated MCU in the substitute?

A: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR includes integrated microcontroller functionality, whereas the EM3587-IRTR is TxRx Only. Existing designs using external MCUs can still employ the substitute; the integrated MCU resources remain available but unused. New designs may leverage the integrated MCU to reduce component count.

Q: Are there supply voltage compatibility issues?

A: The EM3587-IRTR requires dual voltage supplies (1.18V ~ 1.32V and 1.7V ~ 1.9V). The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR operates on a single supply range of 1.71V ~ 3.8V. Power delivery architecture must be reviewed to ensure the substitute's voltage requirements can be met by existing power distribution circuits.

Q: What certifications does the substitute carry?

A: The EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR is ROHS3 Compliant with Moisture Sensitivity Level 2 (1 Year). These certifications support regulatory compliance for products destined for regulated markets and define handling requirements during manufacturing and storage.

Q: How do receiver sensitivity specifications compare?

A: The EM3587-IRTR achieves -100dBm receiver sensitivity, while the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR achieves -94.8dBm. The main part has superior sensitivity by 5.2dB. Applications with marginal link budgets must account for this difference in range calculations.

Q: What is the maximum data rate difference?

A: The EM3587-IRTR supports 5Mbps maximum data rate, while the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR supports 2Mbps. Applications requiring data rates above 2Mbps must verify that the substitute meets throughput requirements.

Q: Are there GPIO availability differences?

A: The EM3587-IRTR provides 24 GPIO pins, while the EFR32MG24A010F1024IM48-BR provides 32 GPIO pins. The substitute offers additional GPIO resources, which may simplify peripheral integration in new designs but requires no changes for existing designs using fewer GPIO pins.