May 4, 2014. Atmel Corp. has announced the release of the Atmel ATPL230A, a Power Line Communications (PLC) modem, implementing the physical layer of the PRIME (power line intelligent metrology evolution) standard. ATPL230A offers OEMs a seamless and cost-efficient solution for smart metering platforms, providing best-in-class modem features.
Expanding on Atmel’s flexible SAM4Cx platform, ATPL230A addresses the fifth pillar of the Atmel’s existing platform, the physical communication layer. Atmel’s ATPL230A can be paired with dual 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 RISC processors to deploy integration and accuracy for single and multichip architecture options for system integrators and OEMs.
“Combined with our newly integrated PLC solutions, Atmel’s Smart Energy platform meets OEM demands for next generation industry standard compliant smart metering solutions,” said Kourosh Boutorabi, senior director of Smart Energy Products, Atmel. “We are excited to leverage Atmel’s broad portfolio to address a wide variety of industry standards allowing for flexibility and scalability, powering the future applications for smart grid and metrology products.”
In addition to meeting the different components of PRIME specification, key features of ATPL230A include class D line driver for PLC signal amplification, which provides signal injection efficiency by up to 62%. Low power consumption features allow also for improved thermal behavior, extended long-term reliability and reduced overall power consumption. New transmission modes and frequency band extension also allow for enhanced and more robust power line communications.
Additionally, to accelerate the design process, Atmel is also offering the ATPL230A evaluation kit. The kit shows the capabilities of ATPL230A for Smart Metering platforms with embedded Power Line Communications.