Industry First Smart Grid Flexible System-on-Chip Integrated Platform
ASMgrid is the industry first flexible, SoC platform tailored to the demanding needs of Smart Grid products, from Smart Meters to Smart Appliances. The platform integrates unprecedented technology breadth: ZigBee Pro, Powerline Communication, ARM® Cortex™-M3 on high-performance configurations, embedded flash, and LCD controller. ASMgrid’s modular approach enables rapid silicon modifications with mass production in as little as 3-6 months. Development cost is correspondingly reduced by as much as 75% compared to a traditional custom silicon approach. The ASMgrid architecture and methodology is tested, silicon verified, and certified. The turnkey solution includes a comprehensive set of software libraries, protocol stacks, and development tools.
ASMgrid1.0 Reference Silicon Details
For those requiring a full-featured ASMgrid configuration and quickest time to market at lowest development cost, Accent offers the ASMgrid1.0 reference silicon device. The highly integrated silicon device integrates the functionality found in as many as 5 ICs. Alternatively, customers may work with Accent to define derivatives with a path to mass production in as little as 3-6 months.
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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 Protocol Stack
Accent’s ZigBee Pro implements the 2007 ZigBee specification, known as ZigBee PRO, and when combined with ASMgrid1.0, provides a ZigBee Compliant Platform. In addition to protocol stack, Accent provides an easy-to-use API and HAL to simplify Accent ZigBee-based development.
ASMgrid Broadband Powerline Networking 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 Development Board
The ASMgrid development environment incorporates all the necessary hardware and software components to build ZigBee and PLC networks. The ASMgrid development board utilizes the highly integrated ASMgrid1.0 silicon device, providing ample performance headroom to address the development needs of a wide range of products, from smart meters to smart appliances.
