CIE Components in Electronics
Designed to enable robust automated meter reading (AMR), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), and sensor network automation applications, Texas Instruments (TI) has launched the Smart Data Concentrator evaluation module (EVM) with accompanying power line communication (PLC) system-on-module and supporting software for smart grid developers.
The highly integrated TMDSDC3359 EVM provides flexibility and scalability with numerous performance, cost and connectivity options so developers can create data concentrator designs that can adapt to many worldwide smart grid standards.
TI’s scalable Sitara AM3359 processor enables expanded wired and wireless connectivity options through flexible peripherals and developers can easily add multiple connectivity options including <1GHz (LPRF), general packet radio service (GPRS), ZigBee, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC) and multiple PLC standards.
The PLC system-on-module (SOMPLC-F28PLC83) contains TI’s C2000 Piccolo F28PLC83 microcontroller and AFE031 analogue front end (AFE) for robust G3, PRIME and S-FSK support. Adding the system-on-module and TI’s PLC software stacks (PRIME, G3, IEEE P1901.2 or PLC-Lite) to the Smart Data Concentrator EVM allows developers to set up a data concentrator demo with PLC connectivity in as little as 10 minutes.
As a full TI system solution, the TMDSDC3359 EVM includes more than 20 analogue components from TI’s power management (such as TPS65910), interface (such as SN65HVD3082 and TRS3221), isolation (such as ISO3082 and ISO7131) and logic portfolios (SN74LVC1G08), which makes it easier for smart grid developers to design with TI’s processors, microcontrollers and connectivity solutions with these analogue products.
An extensive open-source Linux software development kit that includes fully customisable, pre-written code allows developers to easily add functionality and features to data concentrator designs without the hassle of writing and tweaking code. It also includes resources such as PLC stacks (PLC-Lite, PRIME, G3, IEEE-P1901.2), network protocols and applications like DLMS/COSEM so developers can customize their products for multiple regional and global standards. Developers can also leverage the customisable hardware and software to easily fit the new Smart Data Concentrator EVM into a final product.
