Siemens' employ ADI's Blackfin DSP in its smart energy systems

Smart grid is the strategy already taken up by many smart semiconductor vendors. In this green focused energy conserving technology, the electrical energy from multiple sources is managed through smart devices and systems so that every watt is not wasted. E metering is key part of smart grid technologies.

When it comes to selecting processor/microcontroller for these metering systems, Digital Signal Processor (DSP) looks to be a better choice. DSP handles the continuously variable wideband frequency signal of power consuming pattern (Voltage, current and powerfactor) better than a simple microcontroller.

Siemens, in its intelligent metering and information system product, has used Analog Devices' Blackfin DSP to process power parameters and other metering related signals. Siemens' has already implemented its intelligent metering and information system product for a Swiss utility company called Arbon Energie AG.

"Our smart metering solution is the result of many years of research," says Alexander Schenk, business segment manager for AMIS systems at Siemens Energy, Power Distribution Division. "The Analog Devices Blackfin enables us to offer sophisticated measurement and communication at the meter level, enabling a true system-wide energy management tool."

Analog Device claims, Blackfin's exceptional performance, low cost and scalability gives power companies the edge in seamless smart meter implementation. Blackfin calculates the consumer energy usage at the smart meter and performs the powerline modem functions, creating an efficient bi-directional communication flow with the power line concentrator.

Colin Duggan, Industrial and Instrumentation Segment manager for ADI's General Purpose-Digital Signal Processing Division said, "We are especially happy to be a part of the larger solution of true demand and energy management which benefits consumers as well as significantly contributing to environmental conservation."

In some of the world's regions, it is mandatory for utility companies to install smart metering solutions. This provides significant market opportunity for semiconductor companies. Smart grid provides opportunity to more or less every type of semiconductor companies with higher share for analog and power semiconductor vendors.

Siemens is strongly present in this market; Indirectly Analog Devices also takes the benefit of this market by powering Siemens systems through its devices.