The Ebyte E30-170T20D is a 170MHz Sub-GHz DIP wireless transceiver module powered by the Silicon Labs SI4463 RF chip, delivering 20dBm (100mW) transmit power, UART interface, -121dBm sensitivity, and up to 2.0km line-of-sight communication range with superior diffraction and obstacle penetration capabilities for industrial telemetry networks.
| Parameter Name | E30-170T20D |
|---|---|
| Main Transceiver IC | Silicon Labs SI4463 |
| Operating Frequency Band | 148 MHz to 173.5 MHz (Default: 170 MHz, VHF band) |
| Transmit Power Range | 10 dBm to 20 dBm (Max 100 mW, 4 levels configurable) |
| Receiving Sensitivity | -121 dBm at 2.4 kbps air data rate |
| Communication Distance | 2.0 km (Line of sight in open space with optimal antenna) |
| Communication Interface | UART (3.3V / 5V TTL level compatible) |
| Package Form Factor / Pins | DIP In-line pin package (2.54mm pitch) |
| Air Data Rate | 1.2 kbps to 25 kbps (Configurable via register) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.1V to 5.5V DC (3.3V or 5V recommended) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 to +85 degrees Celsius (Industrial Grade) |
| Dimensions & Weight | 21 x 36 mm / 6.7g plus or minus 0.1g |
| RF Certifications | CE, RoHS, FCC compliant |
| RF Parameter | Value | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Working frequency | 148~173.5 MHz | Default: 170MHz |
| Transmitting power | 10~20 dBm | Default: 20dBm（About 100mW） |
| Receiving sensitivity | -121 dBm | Air data rate: 5k bps |
| Air data rate | 1k~25kbps | Default: 5kbps |
| Test distance | 2500m | In open and clear air, with maximum power, 5 dBi antenna gain, height of 2m, air data rate: 2.4k bps |
| Hardware Parameter | Value | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 21 * 36 mm | Without SMA |
| Antenna type | SMA-K | - |
| Communication interface | UART | Baud rate: 1200~115200, default: 9600 |
| Package | DIP | - |
| Buffer | 512 bytes buffer | Automatically sub-packaging with 58 bytes per package |
| Electronic parameter | Min. | Typ. | Max. | Unit | Condition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power supply | 2.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | V | - | |
| Communication level | 2.5 | 3.3 | 3.6 | V | - | |
| Transmitting current | 82 | 89 | 98 | mA | 20dBm（100mW） | |
| Receiving current | 15 | 16 | 17 | mA | - | |
| Sleep current | 3 | 4 | 5 | μA | - | |
| Operating temperature | -40 | 20 | +85 | ℃ | - | |
| Operating humidity | 10 | 60 | 90 | % | - | |
| Storage temperature | -40 | 20 | +125 | ℃ | - |
Practical Application Scenarios
1. Underground Mining and Tunneling Telemetry Infrastructure
In underground mining galleries and deep civil engineering tunnels, standard 433MHz or 2.4GHz RF signals suffer from high path loss and severe attenuation around concrete walls and metallic shoring. The Ebyte E30-170T20D operates on the lower 170MHz VHF frequency band, exhibiting significantly longer wavelengths that maximize electromagnetic diffraction around physical barriers. Embedded into remote sensor nodes along with Ebyte industrial gateways, it transmits toxic gas concentrations, structural strain, and ventilation status over 2km without signal blackout.
2. High-Density Urban Smart Water Metering and Pit-Vault AMR
Water meters installed in subterranean cast-iron pits or reinforced basement vaults present heavy signal reflection and absorption challenges. System integrators pair the E30-170T20D module with battery-powered microcontroller units (MCUs) to build Automated Meter Reading (AMR) endpoints. The superior signal penetration of 170MHz Sub-GHz RF allows data packets to breach thick concrete slabs and metallic pit covers, relaying meter register readings to neighborhood collection units with reliable packet reception ratios.
3. Obstacle-Dense Agricultural Forestry and Remote Dam Monitoring
Large-scale forestry reserves, mountain watersheds, and agricultural dams require long-range wireless telemetry across dense tree canopies and undulating terrains where line-of-sight is obstructed. Utilizing 20dBm transmit power and high-sensitivity SI4463 RF architecture, the E30-170T20D forms reliable wireless links connecting water level sensors and automated sluice gates to central PLC controllers. The 2.54mm DIP pin headers allow rapid hardware maintenance and field replacement in remote solar-powered weather stations.
FAQ Section
1. What physical performance advantages does the 170MHz VHF frequency band of E30-170T20D offer compared to 433MHz or 868MHz Sub-GHz modules?
According to RF propagation physics, lower frequencies correspond to longer wavelengths. The 170MHz band utilized by the E30-170T20D provides vastly superior radio wave diffraction around solid obstacles, hills, and heavy vegetation, as well as lower absorption loss when penetrating concrete structures or subterranean vaults. While 433MHz and 868MHz offer higher channel bandwidths, 170MHz delivers unmatched RF link reliability in complex non-line-of-sight (NLOS) industrial field conditions.
2. How is the transparent UART data transmission configured and driven via MCU GPIO pins on the E30-170T20D?
The E30-170T20D integrates an onboard high-performance microcontroller that handles FEC error correction and packet encapsulation automatically. System developers control the module using standard UART serial communication (TTL levels compatible with 3.3V and 5V MCUs) and two operational control pins, M0 and M1. By altering the logic states on M0/M1, engineers can seamlessly switch the module between Normal mode (transparent data TX/RX), Configuration mode (setting registers, baud rates, and 170MHz channels via AT commands), and Deep Sleep mode for low-power battery conservation.
3. What antenna design and impedance matching considerations are critical to achieving the full 2.0km transmission range?
To achieve the rated 2.0km communication distance, the module requires a tuned 50-ohm impedance antenna optimized specifically for the 148-173.5MHz VHF frequency range (such as a 170MHz rubber duck antenna or outdoor omnidirectional whip antenna). Because 170MHz radio waves have longer quarter-wavelength dimensions (approximately 42cm), developers must ensure an adequate PCB ground plane or metallic counterpoise during installation, keeping the antenna away from ground metal enclosures to prevent impedance detuning and return loss degradation.
