RFM69 Wireless Transceiver Modules by HopeRF, SparkFun, and Adafruit

The HopeRF RFM69 RFRadio Frequency transceiver boards are based on the Semtech SX1231H ICIntegrated Circuit that are designed to work in the ISMIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical radio bands and SRDShort Range Device frequency bands of 315MHz, 433MHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz. They have a range up to 500 meters line-of-sight using simple wire antennas, where higher ranges can be achieved by using a better antenna or by lowering the data bit rate.

The RFM69 communication is half-duplex and supports transmission modulations FSKFrequency-Shift Keying modulation, GFSKGaussian Frequency-Shift Keying modulation, MSKMinimum-Shift Keying modulation, GMSKGaussian Minimum-Shift Keying modulation, and OOKOn-Off Keying modulation. The maximum air data rate is 300kbpskilobits per second using FSKFrequency-Shift Keying modulation. They can operate in either a continuous transmit mode or packet mode. The packet mode has the benefit of error correction and can also auto-retransmit. The data interface uses a 4-wire SPISerial Peripheral Interface as well as interrupt and reset trigger digital inputs.

The HopeRF RFM69 transceivers are available as stand-alone modules or embedded in a breakout board such as the SparkFun and Adafruit RFM69HCW modules. The breakout boards widen the 2.0mm pin spacing on the HopeRF RFM69 board to 2.54mm (0.1in) breadboard pin spacing, have bypass capacitors to reduce noise from the power supply, and the Adafruit's breakout boards come with 5V to 3.3V level shifting for both power and data to make them compatible with 5V microcontrollers.

HopeRF Modules

There are four different versions of the HopeRF RFM69.

RFM69W
RFM69CW
RFM69HW
RFM69HCW

These four versions are shown in the figures below.

The "H" in the names RFM69HW and RFM69HCW stands for "high power" version with a +20dBmDecibel-milliwatts (dBm) is a power level that expresses decibels in terms of milliwatts on a logarithmic scale. maximum output compared to the RFM69W and RFM69CW with +13dBmDecibel-milliwatts (dBm) is a power level that expresses decibels in terms of milliwatts on a logarithmic scale. maximum output.

The "C" in the names stands for "compatible" in size and pinout with an older radio that it was upgraded from. The RFM69CW was intended as an upgrade path for the RFM12B and the RFM69HCW was an upgrade path for the RFM22B, so these boards have the same size and pinout.

The size and pinout of the RFM69W (16mm x 19.7mm) and RFM69CW (16mm x 16mm) are different, but otherwise the boards are functionally equivalent. Likewise with the high power boards, where the size and pinout of the RFM69HW (16mm x 19.7mm) and RFM69HCW (16mm x 16mm) are different, but otherwise the boards are functionally equivalent.

HopeRF Modules Specs
Parameter	Description
Modules	RFM69W RFM69W Product Page RFM69W Datasheet RFM69CW RFM69CW Product Page RFM69CW Datasheet RFM69HW RFM69HW Product Page RFM69HW Datasheet RFM69HCW RFM69HCW Product Page RFM69HCW Datasheet
Main IC	SX1231H by Semtech SX1231H Product Page SX1231H Datasheet
Frequencies	ISMIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical radio bands bands 315MHz (290MHz - 340MHz) 433MHz (424MHz - 510MHz) 868MHz (862MHz - 890MHz) 915MHz (890MHz - 1020MHz)
Modulation	FSKFrequency-Shift Keying modulation, GFSKGaussian Frequency-Shift Keying modulation, MSKMinimum-Shift Keying modulation, GMSKGaussian Minimum-Shift Keying modulation, and OOKOn-Off Keying modulation
Air Data Rate (bpsbits per second)	Configurable with FSKFrequency-Shift Keying modulation Bit rates up to 300kbps
Receiving Sensitivity (dBmDecibel-milliwatts (dBm) is a power level that expresses decibels in terms of milliwatts on a logarithmic scale.)	Down to -120dBm at 1.2kbps
Transmitting Power (dBmDecibel-milliwatts (dBm) is a power level that expresses decibels in terms of milliwatts on a logarithmic scale.)	Programmable with 1dB steps RFM69W & RFM69CW between -18dBm min and +13dBm max RFM69HCW & RFM69HW between -18dBm min and +20dBm max
I/O Data Interface	I/O Data Pins are 3.3V SPISerial Peripheral Interface: SCKSerial Clock line, MISOMaster In Slave Out (MISO) is the SPI data output line from the slave device, MOSIMaster Out Slave In (MOSI) is the SPI data output line from the master device, CSChip Select (CS) is the SPI output line from the master device to indicate that data is being sent. Also referred to as CSN or Slave Select (SS). RST Reset (IRQInterrupt Request (IRQ) pins are capable of receiving an external signal to interrupt a running program and alter its behavior.) interrupt 6 Digital I/O Pins
Data Packets	Preamble, Sync word, Address and Message (payload) and optional (CRCCyclic Redundancy Check) Payload with (AESAdvanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a specification for the encryption of electronic data established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2001. It was developed an alternative to the Data Encryption Standard (DES), which was starting to become vulnerable to brute-force attacks.)-128 encryption and length up to 255 bytes Optional 2-bytes (CRCCyclic Redundancy Check) checksum
Operating Supply Voltage	RFM69HCW & RFM69HW: 1.8V to 2.4V DC for +17dBm 2.4V to 3.6V DC for +20dBm RFM69W & RFM69CW: 2.4V to 3.6V DC
Transmission Current	130mA @ +20dBm (RFM69HCW & RFM69HW only) 95mA @ +17dB (RFM69HCW & RFM69HW only) 45mA @ +13dBm 33mA @ +10dBm 20mA @ 0dBm
Receiving Current	16mA
Sleep Current	0.1μA (typical), 1μA (max)
Idle Current	1.2μA (typical)
Synthesizer Current	9mA (typical)
Networking	Supports multipoint networks with individual node addresses Up to 256 networks (0 - 255) Up to 255 nodes per network (0 - 254)
Board Size	RFM69HW & RFM69W: 16mm x 19.7mm (0.63in x 0.78in) RFM69HCW & RFM69CW: 16mm x 16mm (0.63in x 0.63in)

SparkFun Modules

The SparkFun RFM69HCW modules breaks out all the pins for the RFM69HCW and widens the 2.0mm pin spacing RFM69HCW to 2.54mm (0.1in) breadboard spacing. SparkFun has two RFM69HCW versions with different radio frequencies shown in the figures below: the 434MHz version (WRL-12823) and 915MHz version (WRL-12775).

SparkFun RFM69HCW 433MHz Module (WRL-12823)

SparkFun RFM69HCW 868/915MHz Module (WRL-12775)

Although the SparkFun board includes the 915MHz RFM69HCW version, it can also be used at 868MHz when changing the software configuration to this frequency. There is only minor passive component differences between the two versions of the 868MHz and 915MHz RFM69HCW and open air testing reveals no significant signal strength difference using the 915MHz RFM69HCW with 868MHz settings.

This board also features pin through holes to solder a simple wire antenna or a PCBPrinted Circuit Board to SMASubMiniature version A (SMA) connector cable for an SMASubMiniature version A (SMA) connector antenna. The range of these modules can go up to 500 meters line-of-sight using simple wire antennas, where higher ranges can be achieved by using a better antenna or by lowering the data bit rate.

SparkFun RFM69HCW Modules Specs
Parameter	Description
Modules	SparkFun WRL-12823 RFM69HCW 433MHz Module Product Page SparkFun WRL-12775 RFM69HCW 915MHz Module Product Page
RFM69	RFM69HCW 433MHz & 915MHz based on the SX1231H IC RFM69HCW Product Page RFM69HCW Datasheet SX1231H Product Page SX1231H Datasheet
Frequency	ISMIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical radio bands bands 433MHz (424MHz - 510MHz) 868MHz/915MHz (868MHz - 1020MHz)
Modulation	FSKFrequency-Shift Keying modulation, GFSKGaussian Frequency-Shift Keying modulation, MSKMinimum-Shift Keying modulation, GMSKGaussian Minimum-Shift Keying modulation, and OOKOn-Off Keying modulation
Air Data Rate (bpsbits per second)	Configurable with FSKFrequency-Shift Keying modulation Bit rates up to 300kbps
Receiving Sensitivity (dBmDecibel-milliwatts (dBm) is a power level that expresses decibels in terms of milliwatts on a logarithmic scale.)	Down to -120dBm at 1.2kbps
Transmitting Power (dBmDecibel-milliwatts (dBm) is a power level that expresses decibels in terms of milliwatts on a logarithmic scale.)	Up to +20dBm (100mW) Programmable with 1dB steps between -18dBm min and +20dBm max
I/O Data Interface	I/O Data Pins are 3.3V SPI: SCK (C), MISO (I), MOSI (O), NSS (S) RESET (R): Resets the module DIO0 - DIO5 (0 - 5): 6 Digital I/O Pins with DIO0 received ready interrupt
Data Packets	Preamble, Sync word, Address and Message (payload) and optional CRC Payload with AES-128 encryption and length up to 255 bytes Optional 2-bytes CRC checksum
Operating Supply Voltage	1.8V to 2.4V DC for 17dBm 2.4V to 3.6V DC for 20dBm
Transmission Current	130mA @ +20dBm 95mA @ +17dB 45mA @ +13dBm 33mA @ +10dBm 20mA @ 0dBm
Receiving Current	16mA
Networking	Supports multipoint networks with individual node addresses. Up to 256 networks Up to 255 nodes per network
Board Size (LxW)	20.32mm x 27.94mm (0.8in x 1.1in)

Adafruit Modules

The Adafruit RFM69HCW modules breaks out all the pins for the RFM69HCW and widens the 2.0mm pin spacing to 2.54mm (0.1in) breadboard spacing. Adafruit has two RFM69HCW versions with different radio frequencies shown in the figures below: the 434MHz version (PID 3071) and 868MHz/915MHz version (PID 3070).

Adafruit RFM69HCW 433MHz Module (PID 3071)

Adafruit RFM69HCW 868/915MHz Module (PID 3070)

The Adafruit 868MHz/915MHz board includes the 915MHz HCW69HCW module, but it can also be used at 868MHz when changing the software configuration to this frequency. There is only minor passive component differences between the two versions of the 868MHz and 915MHz RFM69HCW and open air testing reveals no significant signal strength difference using the 915MHz RFM69HCW with 868MHz settings.

This board also features a PCBPrinted Circuit Board spot with the option to solder on a uFL or SMASubMiniature version A (SMA) connector antenna connector or a simple wire antenna. The range of these modules can go up to 500 meters line-of-sight using simple wire antennas, where higher ranges can be achieved by using a better antenna or by lowering the data bit rate.

Adafruit RFM69HCW Modules Specs
Parameter	Description
Modules	Adafruit (PID 3071) RFM69HCW 868/915MHz Module Product Page Adafruit (PID 3070) RFM69HCW 868/915MHz Module Product Page
RFM69	RFM69HCW 433MHz & 915MHz based on the SX1231H IC RFM69HCW Product Page RFM69HCW Datasheet SX1231H Product Page SX1231H Datasheet
Frequency	ISMIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical radio bands band 433MHz (424MHz - 510MHz) 868/915MHz (862MHz - 1020MHz)
Modulation	FSKFrequency-Shift Keying modulation, GFSKGaussian Frequency-Shift Keying modulation, MSKMinimum-Shift Keying modulation, GMSKGaussian Minimum-Shift Keying modulation, and OOKOn-Off Keying modulation
Air Data Rate (bpsbits per second)	Configurable with FSKFrequency-Shift Keying modulation Bit rates up to 300kbps
Receiving Sensitivity (dBmDecibel-milliwatts (dBm) is a power level that expresses decibels in terms of milliwatts on a logarithmic scale.)	Down to -120dBm at 1.2kbps
Transmitting Power (dBmDecibel-milliwatts (dBm) is a power level that expresses decibels in terms of milliwatts on a logarithmic scale.)	Up to +20dBm (100mW) Programmable with 1dB steps between -18dBm min and +20dBm max
I/O Data Interface	SPISerial Peripheral Interface: SCKSerial Clock line, MISOMaster In Slave Out (MISO) is the SPI data output line from the slave device, MOSIMaster Out Slave In (MOSI) is the SPI data output line from the master device, CSChip Select (CS) is the SPI output line from the master device to indicate that data is being sent. Also referred to as CSN or Slave Select (SS). (3.3V or 5V tolerant) RST Reset (3.3V or 5V tolerant) G0 IRQInterrupt Request (IRQ) pins are capable of receiving an external signal to interrupt a running program and alter its behavior. interrupt (3.3V or 5V tolerant) GPIOGeneral Purpose Input Output G0 - G5 (3.3V logic)
Data Level Shifter IC	TITexas Instruments 74HC4050D High-Speed CMOS Logic Hex Buffer (74HC4050D Datasheet PDF)
Data Packets	Preamble, Sync word, Address and Message (payload) and optional CRCCyclic Redundancy Check Payload with AESAdvanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a specification for the encryption of electronic data established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2001. It was developed an alternative to the Data Encryption Standard (DES), which was starting to become vulnerable to brute-force attacks.-128 encryption and length up to 255 bytes Optional 2-bytes CRCCyclic Redundancy Check checksum
Operating Supply Voltage	3.3V to 6V DC
Supply Voltage Regulator IC	AP2112k-3.3 LDOLow Dropout Regulator Linear Regulator (AP2112 Datasheet PDF) Output 3.3V 600mA (min) Input 2.5V to 6.0V max Package SOTSmall Outline Transistor-25
Transmission Current	50mA (+13dBm) to 150mA (+20dBm)
Receiving Current	30mA
Networking	Supports multipoint networks with individual node addresses Up to 256 networks Up to 255 nodes per network
Board Size (LxWxH)	25.3mm x 29.3mm x 3.5mm (1.0in x 1.15in x 0.14in)

RFM69 Libraries

Arduino

There are many RFM69 Arduino libraries available, such as as the LowPowerLab's RFM69 Library and AirSpayce's Radiohead Library which also supports many other radios.

CircuitPython

The Adafruit CircuitPython RFM69 Library is available on GitHub that can be used with either Adafruit's RFM69 boards or other RFM69 modules. There is also a usage guide for this library available on Adafruit's website and documentation. CircuitPython was designed to be beginner friendly but has some limitations, where interrupts and threading are not supported, so if these features are needed you can use the MicroPython library given below.

MicroPython

A MicroPython Library by MCHobby is available on GitHub that is based on the Arkorobotics RFM MicroPython Library for the Pyboard, Adafruit's CircuitPython, and the LowPowerLabs Arduino Library. MC Hobby also has a Wiki page that describes the hardware and communication with an example that uses the Adafruit RFM69 board with a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller.