Microsemi enters smart-energy market with single-chip power solution

IRVINE, USA: Microsemi, a leading manufacturer of high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, announced that its ASIC design services group has developed a device for smart metering applications that integrates all power-management functions into one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The device is the first of a planned family of both custom and standard products for advanced metering and other Smart Grid applications.

Itron, a leading provider of smart metering and smart grid applications, utilizes the new Microsemi ASICs in its second-generation CENTRON meter product line, which includes the OpenWay CENTRON smart meter.

"We are pleased to offer this technology to complement the industry's latest state-of-the-art electricity metering products," said Paul Pickle, VP and GM of Microsemi's Analog Mixed Signal Group.

"Microsemi's power management IC design expertise allows us to create an optimized, reliable solution and extend our power-management expertise into the rapidly growing market for advanced metering and smart grid system equipment. We plan to expand our offering for this segment with additional custom devices and standard, off-the-shelf products, as well."

Working to support the market's emerging product and system requirements, Microsemi has integrated all battery management, power failure, over-current and thermal detection, as well as various other functions, into a single, compact IC. The IC also features temperature compensation, power reset, and energy conservation during power loss, and is offered in a small-footprint 5x4mm QFN package.

According to Pike Research, electricity metering is undergoing its greatest transformation since the first meter was installed more than 120 years ago. Major utilities worldwide, enticed by savings and prodded by governments, are embarking on wholesale replacement of over 45 percent of the North American and European installed base by 2015, breaking the traditional 15-20 year meter replacement cycle.

Pike Research forecasts that $19.5 billion of smart meters will be deployed worldwide between 2010 and 2015, with shipments growing at a 19 percent CAGR during this period.