Embedded energy and communication modules for Smart Grid sensing, control, and metering

Grid MicroCircuits' EC-2xxx family of modules for communication, networking, and energy management can be used to develop OEM products into application-specific edge devices in an energy network.

August 6, 2009

By providing specialized embedded Grid MicroCircuits, PCN says it is the leading worldwide OEM & Utility supplier of embedded data & energy communication, management, automation, and networking systems for application specific power line enabled solutions and for overall end-to-end smart grid connectivity .

The EC-2XXX Grid MicroCircuits family products converge energy and communications within the utility, industrial, commercial, and defense products markets. Grid MicroCircuits open-standard products are designed with off-the-shelf microcontrollers and digital signal processors for applications in OEM products and systems including:

  • Alternative energy applications (e.g., solar inverters and wind farms);
  • Meters, sensors, smart appliances & products;
  • Transportation systems and infrastructure; and
  • Industrial products, building automation and control systems.

Powered from a single 3.3 V or 5 V dc power supply and consuming less than 1 Watt of power on average, Grid MicroCircuits can be deployed in a power distribution system or other conductive media to communicate point to point, point to multi-point, or as a self-configuring mesh network. Programmed to be interoperable across multiple protocol standards, handling short and long packets, Grid MicroCircuits provide 128-256 bit AES encryption algorithm implemented internally, and are capable of supporting secure connections as well as application-specific transactions.

Each EC-2XXX is IP enabled and with its embedded interoperability software, is capable of bridging private networks to open standard public networks. In addition, products can be equipped with a bridge to Zigbee, RFID, Bluetooth or other 802.xx solutions. Communication is asynchronous, bi-directional and full duplex.

A configured system can support 60 redundant data paths with each data packet having a throughput of 250 Kb per 16 channels. In "Robust Mode," Grid MicroCircuits obtain over 99.999% coverage at 19.2K, when set to 8 data bits; 1 stop bit and no parity. Grid MicroCircuits Modules can be Flash programmed and all support SPI, 12C, USB, Ethernet, Parallel, RS-232. RS-485, CAN, Modbus, Serial UART and other interface standards. Data rate focus is for hundreds of Kbps over long distances, and up to 20Mbps streaming over short distances.

For more information, visit: pcntechnology.com

Read these other Control Engineering articles related to the Smart Grid:

  • Siemens and Viridity Energy form alliance aimed at Smart Grid implementations
  • Smart Grid : Digi announces ZigBee Smart Energy development products
  • Executives agree to accelerate smart grid standards implementation in U.S.
  • Orders for smart grid -enabled power systems increase

– Edited by David Greenfield , editorial director
Control Engineering Sustainable Engineering News Desk