Powerline-communication chipset  

The STMicroelectronics ST8500 is a powerline-communication (PLC) solution which features a G3-PLC CENELEC B certified protocol stack for industrial applications beyond utility metering. In addition to covering all G3-PLC standards and frequency bands, ST8500 also offers certified libraries for all PRIME standards, from PRIME 1.3.6 to PRIME 1.4 in CENELEC and FCC bands. Each of the stacks features high-performing routing algorithms to ensure network coverage in all application domains. Fully programmable, containing a dedicated real-time engine to handle the modulation and coding schemes of different PLC standards and a power-efficient Arm Cortex-M4F core for upper-layer processing and system management, the ST8500 allows product manufacturers to address multiple markets and regions with a single hardware platform, and future-proof assets in the field by remote update. Dedicated peripherals for smart-energy applications, including an AES cryptographic engine, are also integrated. Consuming less than 100mW in receive mode, the ST8500 meets stringent industrial specifications to minimize the grid load imposed by new smart meters. With a complete Analog Front End (AFE) on-chip, the ST8500 connects directly to ST's STLD1 line driver to create a complete single-vendor powerline-transceiver solution. The STLD1 ensures reliable communication even across noisy cables, with high drive capability and high linearity over a wide output range of 18V in single-ended or 36V in differential mode. The two-chip set delivers high performance, low power consumption, flexibility, and cost-effective connectivity for smart-grid and IoT applications.

STMicroelectronics | www.st,com 

 


Volume: 2019 January/February