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.
| 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
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