Design Article
Speeding the adoption of smart meters and smart appliances
Ed Pazmino, Accent S.p.A. (Vimercate, Italy)
5/31/2011 10:34 AM EDT
ASMgrid microcontroller options
ASMgrid supports a number of different microcontroller configurations, from altering size of on-chip memories to choice of a microcontroller. Accent’s world-class solution expertise includes numerous completed ARM based SoC projects spanning architecture definition to tested parts in volumes. While ASMgrid includes options for the Cortex-M3 and ARM7TDMI processors, the platform also supports lower performance microcontroller solutions such as the 8051.
Many factors should be studied to determine the proper solution for an end product. Important considerations include total performance processing requirements, software requirements, as well as cost targets. Accent works hand-in-hand with customers to quickly determine the optimum configuration that provides the required functionality (and scalability) that maximizes customer ROI.
ASMgrid ZigBee pro offering
The ZigBee standard is a higher-level communication protocol that currently uses the 802.15.4 standard for wireless networks. ZigBee is a global standard defined to meet a common set of performance needs in markets spanning consumer to home to industrial networking. Supported by 300+ companies worldwide, ZigBee provides a scalable, resilient wireless network technology with a maximum data rate of 250 kbps when operated in the 2.4 GHz range. ZigBee Pro improves the ZigBee standard by incorporating a number of important features for forming large networks.
Accent has implemented the 2007 ZigBee specification, known as ZigBee Pro, and when combined with the ASMgrid development board, provides a ZigBee Compliant Platform. In addition to the ZigBee Pro stack, Accent provides an easy-to-use API and HAL to simplify ZigBee-based development.
ASMgrid's ZigBee Pro Network Layer (NWK) manages a number of functions including message routing, security, network discovery and formation. The ZigBee standard supports three device types: ZigBee Coordinator, ZigBee Router, and ZigBee End Device. Each device type implements varying levels of functionality with associated cost impacts. Thus, equipment manufacturers and system developers may implement a network topology and tradeoff functionality with overall cost. The Application Support Sublayer (APS) provides a control interface to communicate with the application as well as maintaining up-to-date binding tables.
The ASMgrid software offering also includes reference application examples, including a framework for the ZigBee Smart Energy Profile, for out-of-box operation.
ASMgrid broadband powerline offering
As with its ZigBee Pro offering, Accent provides an easy-to-use API and HAL for its ASMgrid powerline communication solution enabling rapid application development.
ASMgrid includes a field-proven powerline solution that has been used in industrial solutions for its robustness and bandwidth. With integration in ASMgrid, the technology is available at a price point needed for the broad utility and residential metering market. ASMgrid’s powerline solution is IEC TS 61334-5-3 compliant, integrating wideband spread spectrum modulation for maximum protection against channel impairments. Unlike narrowband approaches that have been pervasively used, ASMgrid supports high data rates (100 kbps effective data rate), satisfying the bandwidth requirements for advanced Smart Grid deployments in both the NAN and WAN sections of a network.
ASMgrid supports a number of different microcontroller configurations, from altering size of on-chip memories to choice of a microcontroller. Accent’s world-class solution expertise includes numerous completed ARM based SoC projects spanning architecture definition to tested parts in volumes. While ASMgrid includes options for the Cortex-M3 and ARM7TDMI processors, the platform also supports lower performance microcontroller solutions such as the 8051.
Many factors should be studied to determine the proper solution for an end product. Important considerations include total performance processing requirements, software requirements, as well as cost targets. Accent works hand-in-hand with customers to quickly determine the optimum configuration that provides the required functionality (and scalability) that maximizes customer ROI.
ASMgrid ZigBee pro offering
The ZigBee standard is a higher-level communication protocol that currently uses the 802.15.4 standard for wireless networks. ZigBee is a global standard defined to meet a common set of performance needs in markets spanning consumer to home to industrial networking. Supported by 300+ companies worldwide, ZigBee provides a scalable, resilient wireless network technology with a maximum data rate of 250 kbps when operated in the 2.4 GHz range. ZigBee Pro improves the ZigBee standard by incorporating a number of important features for forming large networks.
Accent has implemented the 2007 ZigBee specification, known as ZigBee Pro, and when combined with the ASMgrid development board, provides a ZigBee Compliant Platform. In addition to the ZigBee Pro stack, Accent provides an easy-to-use API and HAL to simplify ZigBee-based development.
ASMgrid's ZigBee Pro Network Layer (NWK) manages a number of functions including message routing, security, network discovery and formation. The ZigBee standard supports three device types: ZigBee Coordinator, ZigBee Router, and ZigBee End Device. Each device type implements varying levels of functionality with associated cost impacts. Thus, equipment manufacturers and system developers may implement a network topology and tradeoff functionality with overall cost. The Application Support Sublayer (APS) provides a control interface to communicate with the application as well as maintaining up-to-date binding tables.
The ASMgrid software offering also includes reference application examples, including a framework for the ZigBee Smart Energy Profile, for out-of-box operation.
ASMgrid broadband powerline offering
As with its ZigBee Pro offering, Accent provides an easy-to-use API and HAL for its ASMgrid powerline communication solution enabling rapid application development.
ASMgrid includes a field-proven powerline solution that has been used in industrial solutions for its robustness and bandwidth. With integration in ASMgrid, the technology is available at a price point needed for the broad utility and residential metering market. ASMgrid’s powerline solution is IEC TS 61334-5-3 compliant, integrating wideband spread spectrum modulation for maximum protection against channel impairments. Unlike narrowband approaches that have been pervasively used, ASMgrid supports high data rates (100 kbps effective data rate), satisfying the bandwidth requirements for advanced Smart Grid deployments in both the NAN and WAN sections of a network.
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cdhmanning
5/31/2011 5:53 PM EDT
It seems to me that SmartGrids have been massively over sold and over hyped.
What can you **really** do with SmartGrid/SmartMeters that you can't do with current technology?
Current technology already provides load shaping for water heaters and space heaters via ripple controllers. That makes sense because: water heating is inherently a background activity which can happen any time so long as hot water is stored for when it is needed. Water heating is also a large load and controlling it has dramatic effect.
Applying the same model to most other domestic load just does not work. When I want to sit down with my bowl of popcorn to watch a TV program, I expect my corn popper and TV to work **now**, not at 3am when the power company has some surplus generation.
Ripple control of water heaters also works because there is absolutely zero effort from the consumer and very close to zero impact. Providing people with information is pointless unless they are prepared to work their lives around it.
Are you really going to gate your decision to wash some clothes or make a cup of coffee on a change in power costs that the power company offers to you?
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docman1
6/1/2011 12:14 PM EDT
@cdhmannig,
You make a point that is often overlooked. How will this actually save the consumer money or reduce power usage? Do I shut down my A/C during the heat of the day and turn it on at night when it is cool? Turn off the refrigerator during the day, so my food spoils and the freezer thaws out? How about my clothes? Do I stay up to run my loads at 2am in order to save $1? SmartGrid has great promise in allowing the power company to monitor outages and automate meter reading. Other uses are not well defined. I suppose that they can seriously jack up the rates during the day, but that is NOT going to save the consumer any money.
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