Low-Cost MCU Improves E-Metering Applications

Jan. 13, 2009
Utility companies now rely on electronic meter technology to improve grid performance and reliability, as well as reduce costs and offer energy-saving consumer options. The Texas Instruments MSP430FE42x2 microcontroller (MCU) series reduces the electronic

Utility companies now rely on electronic meter technology to improve grid performance and reliability, as well as reduce costs and offer energy-saving consumer options. The Texas Instruments MSP430FE42x2 microcontroller (MCU) series reduces the electronic bill of materials (BOM) to the $1 range in high volumes for single-phase electricity metering (e-metering) applications.

These MCUs integrate all metering functionality onto a single chip while offering ultra-low-power operation so only simple voltage regulation such as that provided by TI’s TPS78230 regulator is required for a complete solution. The devices in the series come in a 64-pin low-profile quad flat package (LQFP). They also offer up to 32 kbytes of in-system programmable flash memory.

A unique embedded signal processor (ESP) peripheral fully automates energy conversion by integrating two independent, high-resolution sigma-delta analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), programmable gain amplifiers, a temperature sensor, precision voltage reference, H/W multiplier, and a dedicated fixed-function MSP430 CPU. The ESP also provides 0.1% accurate energy measurement over a dynamic current range of 1000 to 1, surpassing the 1% accuracy common in typical meters today, TI says.

A second fully programmable on-chip MSP430 CPU is available for application processing and communication functions. An enhanced watchdog timer, brownout protection, and a supply voltage supervisor increase system reliability. A 128-segment LCD driver, a three-channel 16-bit pulse-width modulation timer, serial communication port, and a basic timer for a real-time clock function provide all functionality for a complete meter implementation while saving board space.

The MCUs also offer direct device operation from a 3-V supply with the CPU and ESP active at only 2.5 mA. During a power outage, the MSP430FE42x2 can operate in standby mode at 1.1 µA with real-time clock function active. Ultra-low power can enable 10- and 20-year battery life in metering applications.

Available today, the MSP430FE42x2 MCUs are fully compatible with the $149 MSP-FET430U64 JTAG emulation toolkit, speeding development and time-to-market, according to TI.

Texas Instruments

www.ti.com

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