Analog Devices Introduces New Energy Meter ICs

Energy Resource, Oct 10, 2006

ENERGY RESOURCE-10 October 2006-Analog Devices Introduces New Energy Meter ICs(C)2006 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

Analog Devices Inc. today introduced two families of single-chip energy meter ICs to address the metering needs of the world's electricity markets.

ADI's new ADE7100 and ADE7500 energy meter SoC (system-on-chip) families include devices with intelligent battery modes that allow the meters to maintain the time, sense temperature changes, run the LCD (liquid crystal display) read-out, and perform other critical system functions, while using at least 40 percent less power than competitive solutions.

Based on Analog Devices' ADE energy measurement core, which has been designed into more than 175 million energy meters worldwide, the highly integrated SoC devices perform functions previously requiring as many as six discrete ICs.

The devices combine Analog Devices' energy measurement core with a microprocessor, on-chip flash memory, LCD driver, real-time clock (RTC) and intelligent battery management circuitry. The result, said ADI, is "a high-quality, cost-effective solution" that is less susceptible to system failures and enables advanced services like remote meter-reading, time-of-use billing and load shedding.

Additionally, with a low battery-mode current consumption of 1.2 microamps, the devices reduce power use by at least 40 percent in battery mode compared to competitive solutions, while still allowing the meters to maintain critical functions--such as monitoring temperature and main supply voltage--during power outages.

The devices are available in 64-lead LQFPs (low-profile quad flat packages) and are priced under $3.00 per unit in 1,000-piece quantities. For more information, visit www.analog.com/pr/energymeter.> ((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@scitech21.com))

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