Nine Product Versions for Wide Range of Smart Meter Models Worldwide
Renesas Electronics announced the RX21A Group of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) for smart meters with advanced functionality. The new MCUs are the first in the industry to combine large flash memory capacity of 512 KB and a 24-bit delta-sigma (Delta-sigma) A/D converter for high-resolution measurement.
The RX21A Group of MCUs implements in a single chip functions that previously required separate devices, such as power measurement, meter control, calculation of electricity charges, and data encryption. This reduces the number of external components required and helps to lower the overall cost. In addition, the RX21A Group includes product versions for a variety of meter models, allowing common and effective system design.
Recently, the smart meter market has expanded rapidly with the spread of smart grids as a way to increase energy efficiency. It is estimated that more than 100 million smart meters will be in operation by 2014. The proliferation of smart meters has created demand for MCUs that provide, in addition to reduced power consumption, higher performance to support advanced functions such as complex power calculation, and strong security, including communication data protection and unauthorized access prevention. There is also a greater need for shorter development cycles and improved development efficiency for new meter models, which spurs the need for an extensive lineup of MCUs supporting a wide range of smart meter models. At the same time, the home energy management system (HEMS) market is growing rapidly, driving the trend toward MCUs with enhanced functionality and larger memory capacity.
Renesas already mass produces 8-bit and 16-bit MCUs with on-chip Delta-sigma A/D converter for use in power meters with power calculation and ordinary billing capabilities. The RX21A Group of MCUs expands the product lineups to further meet the market demands. Renesas now offers a full range of Delta-sigma A/D converter-equipped MCU product lineups, allowing designers to scale from the low-end to high-end smart meters more easily.
Key features of the new RX21A Group of MCUs:
- On-chip peripheral functions for meters, such as 24-bit Delta-sigma A/D converter and encryption engine
- High-performance CPU (up to 50 MHz and additional DSP functions) and large memory capacity to support advanced-functionality smart meters
- RX200 CPU and low-power peripheral functions for the system's overall reduced power consumption
- Nine product versions to support wide range of power meters, such as single-phase and poly-phase models
Renesas plans to supply a development support environment, including middleware for power measurement and calibration tools, for the new RX21A Group of MCUs. The company will also provide one-stop kit solutions combining the new MCUs with devices such as the PS2513/14 photocouplers to insulate the MCU from the communication interface in smart meter applications.
Availability
Samples of Renesas' RX21A Group of MCUs are available now. Mass production is scheduled to begin in December 2012 and is expected to reach a combined volume of 500,000 units per month.
