ST reveals novel System-on-Chip with turn-key hardware
The device will support METERS AND MORE open communication standard to enable broad smart-meter deployment
STMicroelectronics has developed what it claims is the world's first smart-meter integrated circuit (IC) with built-in support for the METERS AND MORE open communication standard, which enables widespread interoperability among smart metering equipment using Power Line Communication (PLC).
This will help to maximise smart-grid benefits for the environment, consumers and utility companies.
ST says its ST75MM IC is the first to embed hardware and communication protocol support for METERS AND MORE, simplifying meter design to ultimately enable faster, lower-cost and reliable deployments.
The METERS AND MORE is an open specification managed by the METERS AND MORE not-for-profit Association comprising leading technology companies and utilities spanning the Americas, Europe and Asia. METERS AND MORE is protected under EU registration number 8904311.
"The ST75MM represents a concrete answer to the challenges associated with encouraging standardisation and interoperability, while assuring the adoption of a mature technology proven over millions of smart meters already in the field," says Giuseppe Michele Salaris, the Chairman of the Board of Directors at METERS AND MORE Association.
He continues, "The world's energy businesses, from technology companies to utilities, should take advantage of this breakthrough using METERS AND MORE, an open and field proven standard, to meet important climate-saving objectives such as the EU's 20/20/20 goals."
20/20/20 describes the EU's objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent, satisfy 20 percent of energy requirements using renewable sources, and reduce primary energy use by 20 percent, before the year 2020.
Customers using the ST75MM can join the METERS AND MORE Association and achieve Certification for their products to enable widespread use by utility companies.
ST implemented METERS AND MORE in its ST75MM IC to benefit from the protocol's strong features for smart meter and Advanced Metering Infrastructure applications. These include short messages, robust encryption and authentication features, support for network configuration and management, and retransmission management.
The ST75MM joins ST's STarGRID SoC portfolio of smart-meter system-on-chip devices, which also includes the ST7570 supporting IEC 61334-5-1 communication, and the ST7590, which implements the PRIME standard.
First samples of the ST75MM, in the 7x7mm QFN 48 package, will be available to selected customers by October 2013.
