What is Linear Output from an RF Receiver?

[airman00]

I have the Sparkfun RF module ( http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8947 ) and have been using the Data Output for getting the UART and its been working perfectly.
What is the other data pin, the one thats labeled Linear Output?
Does Linear Output mean that the farther you get from the transmitter ,the lower the voltage from the linear output pin is going to be?



Thanks

[CuriousInventor.com]

the manufacturer's datasheet labels it as data out, too...

[airman00]

the manufacturer's datasheet labels it as data out, too...

I took the diagram from Sparkfun's RF tutorial that is on this page http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8950
Link to tutorial : http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/RF/KLP_Walkthrough.pdf

In any case what would Linear Output mean?

[calasus]

Linear output is just an ANALOG OUTPUT. you can put an analog signal in TX and get the analog output on the RX side. Also you can put a radio signal in the TX and get the same radio signal on the RX side.

[airman00]

Linear output is just an ANALOG OUTPUT. you can put an analog signal in TX and get the analog output on the RX side. Also you can put a radio signal in the TX and get the same radio signal on the RX side.

On the transmitter side there is only one pin for data in - so you're saying the Rx can output Analog on one pin and UART on the other - it has the ability to auto separate the two data types?