Smart meters set off revolution, Meixin integrates SoC

Electronic enthusiasts news: In recent years, people have paid more and more attention to energy, energy saving has become the focus of everyone. With the advancement of technology and the support of national policies, smart grids have rapidly become a hot topic in the past few years. As a key terminal of the smart grid, smart meters play an important role. More and more semiconductor manufacturers have entered this industry to provide smart meter products, solutions and various components with their own advantages, in order to take a slice of this huge market.

The reason why smart meters can be called "smart" is not only because it can save electricity, but also that it can not only accurately record the power usage, but also feed back relevant information records to the grid company's server center. Modes such as pre-charge fees and automatic deductions provide convenience for management. So, how to effectively guarantee the high accuracy, power saving and safety of smart meters? Why do highly integrated SOC chip solutions win the favor of smart meter manufacturers? With various problems to be solved urgently in the industry, the editor of the electronic enthusiast network interviewed David Andeen, the strategic market application manager of Meixin.

David Andeen, Strategic Marketing Application Manager, Maxim
David Andeen, Strategic Marketing Application Manager, Maxim

Simulation integration is a big trend

Founded in 1983, Meixin is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of analog, mixed-signal, high-frequency, and digital circuits, providing convenient and practical solutions for manufacturers around the world. In September 2012, Meixin carried out a major change, which not only changed the layout of the LOGO and official website, but even changed the brand of Meixin from the previous "Maxim" to "Maxim Integrated". This shows a strong signal to everyone that this leader has once again been at the forefront and started to be at the forefront of "integration". Smart meters, as the focus of development in recent years, are no exception. When it comes to the SOC program of the electric meter, David specifically pointed out that at present Meixin not only focuses on analog integration, but also launched the corresponding electric meter SOC, which integrates several related functions and simplifies the development process.

According to David, Meixin recently not only released the MAX71020 analog front end for electric meters, but also continued to develop SOCs for smart electric meters to increase user design flexibility. At present, Maxim has launched a highly integrated smart meter SOC covering security and communication functions.

When referring to Meixin Zeus, David said: "This is a real smart meter SoC." David said that Zeus not only integrates metering, security protection and communication functions, for user development, not only can adopt Zeus design For platform systems, if customers want to convert and develop a different meter for different markets, they can still use Zeus devices, but only need to replace some of the currently used communication devices, which makes Zeus the design basis for other smart meter platforms.

The importance of safety and precision

The importance of high accuracy and safety in the design of smart meters is beyond doubt. When talking about the safety and precision advantages of Smart Meter, David said: "This is a good concern. The safety and accuracy of smart meters are really the key elements of smart meter systems." "The safety of smart meters is thought to be It can protect information and the power grid itself from attacks, and Meixin's smart meter system not only integrates security devices and related security protection functions, and protects it throughout the entire cycle of manufacturing, installation and operation. At the same time, the product also has certification, Features such as encryption (symmetric and asymmetric), secure boot procedures and tamper protection. "David emphasized.

For the performance in terms of accuracy, David revealed that Maxim's smart meters have the highest accuracy in the industry. In the next generation of products, Maxim will further improve the accuracy in the range of 5000: 1. With so many years of technology accumulation in the semiconductor industry, I believe that Meixin will certainly set a benchmark for the industry in this regard.

Why choose G3-PLC communication standard?

The "smart" of smart meters is mainly reflected in the ability to feed back relevant information to the power company's data center, which not only allows users to "smart electricity", but also helps power companies "smart meter reading". When talking about the choice of smart meter communication standard of Meixin, David said that there are many kinds of smart meter communication methods, and one of the most integrated products in Meixin has a built-in high-reliability communication processor that allows users to Multiple communication protocols. Meixin chose G3-PLC, the best standard for power lines worldwide.

Why choose this standard? David pointed out that G3-PLC can achieve the highest rate of OFDM communication, and has a variety of low-speed modes, so that you can take into account the reliability of communication. Because G3-PLC uses adaptive frequency mapping and two error correction modes, it can ensure that the information data transmitted with this standard reaches the destination safely. David emphasized that a major feature of the power grid is the requirement for high reliability. The choice of G3-PLC can meet the most basic reliability requirements and can be well integrated with high-speed communication. In this way, it means that the electricity meter that complies with the third-generation power line communication standard will be more reliable than any existing electricity meter on the market, and also have the fastest communication rate and can support the realization of various future functions of the power grid. In short, Meixin chose this communication standard because of its safety, speed, and compliance with development trends.

How to balance the design of the entire meter?

In the previous sections, we talked about the integration of devices, the guarantee of safety and accuracy, and the choice of communication methods. The purpose is only one. How to design an efficient, safe, and high-precision smart meter, which requires us to When designing smart meters, how to balance the design of the entire meter to avoid losing sight of each other.

Faced with the question of the editor of the electronic enthusiast website, David continued to tell us the design ideas of Meixin.

David emphasized that in the design of a smart meter, the design of the main components is certainly important, and the design of other peripheral components cannot be ignored. In order to balance the entire design, Maxim has achieved the highest standards in all components. For example, in order to guarantee the reliability of timing, Maxim provides RTC DS3231M with high precision based on MEMS. Because this series of RTC meets the relevant Chinese standards, it is very important for the electric meters that should be used in the Chinese market.

On the other hand, the power supply of smart meters. David said that Meixin has provided a highly integrated smart meter power management IC (PMIC) MAX17497. The chip not only has an efficient flyback converter and a 3.3V buck converter, it can provide all the power for the smart meter, and its use has nothing to do with the communication protocol. David said that MAX17497 is one of a series of products for flexible power supply applications of electric meters.

Relying on thorough consideration in all aspects and with the deep technical foundation before, Meixin has provided us with a smart meter solution with excellent performance, and further integrated in the entire plan, which greatly facilitates the user's design.

5G CPE

What is 5G CPE?

5G CPE is a kind of 5G terminal equipment. It takes 5G signals from a carrier's base station and converts them into WiFi or wired signals, allowing more local devices (phones, tablets, computers) to access the Internet. It can be seen that 5G CPE is similar to the function of the "optical network unit" for home fiber broadband access.

What is a WiFi router?

WiFi routers are also known as wireless routers or access points.

A WiFi router acts as a Wi-Fi transmitter. It connects directly to a modem, router or switch via cable. This allows it to receive information from the Internet and transmit information to the Internet. Phones, tablets, laptops and other devices can pick up its Wi-Fi signal and then connect to the Internet.

What is the difference between 5G CPE and WiFi router?

The 5G CPE is actually a combination of a 5G modem and a WiFi router. With an independent 5G CPE, the device can access the Internet directly through the WiFi signal or the LAN port of the CPE. Of course, the 5G SIM card needs to be inserted into the SIM card slot of the CPE. However, a WiFi router will not be able to provide Internet access without connecting to a modem or router via cable.

To provide users with greater flexibility and reliability, many 5G CPE routers not only support 5G networks and 4G LTE networks, but also come equipped with WAN Ethernet ports for surfing the Internet. For local networks, WiFi 6, WiFi 5, and LAN ports are usually supported. Some models, such as the Hocell 5G CPE M111, are also equipped with telephone ports for VoLTE/ VoNR voice services.

What are the advantages of 5G CPE over ONU?

ONU is a kind of CPE, and the difference between ONU and 5G CPE is that the former connects to optical fiber access network equipment, while 5G CPE connects to 5G base stations.

There is also a question, since there is an ONU, why do you still need 5G CPE, and will 5G CPE replace ONU?

Let's start with the conclusion, of course not.

The current 5G CPE products all use the same or similar 5G chips as 5G mobile phones, have strong 5G connectivity, support SA/NSA networking, and are compatible with 4G/5G signals. In terms of speed, 5G CPE is similar to ONU.

The advantages of 5G CPE

1. Mobility and

Unlike traditional ONUs, which can only be used in fixed locations, 5G CPE can be "mobile." Where there is a 5G signal, 5G CPE can be used.

For example, when we go on a family vacation to a suburban estate, we can use 5G CPE to set up a Wi-Fi 6 high-speed hotspot that allows all family members to go online and share videos on social networks.

Another example is when a company is away at a trade show, it can use 5G CPE to provide Internet access to visitors and employees.

Traditional "fibre broadband" is relatively easy to set up. You go to the sales office and request a package, and then you can open it. But cancelling is tricky. Today's broadband services have a contract period. Before the end of the agreement period, you can not arbitrarily stop it. If you need to move, you have to switch to fiber broadband, which is also very troublesome. As for 5G CPE, as long as you have a 5G mobile phone SIM card, you can get high-speed Internet access.

For young people who are renting, as well as small businesses that need Internet service, 5G CPE is an ideal choice because of its mobility, fast Internet service registration and termination. 5G CPE is also suitable for remote areas or places with difficult terrain where fiber is virtually unavailable. Due to its large area and small population, many parts of the world began to use CPE long ago. They use 5G Outdoor CPE to receive signals from base stations and convert them into raw signals to access the Internet.

5G CPE can be upgraded to small base stations

5G CPE modifies 4G or 5G as a WiFi hotspot. WIFI devices can be converted via 5G CPE to access 4G or 5G networks.

Further, the WIFI hotspot, including the information processing and transmission within the CPE, is divided into 2 completely separate channels. The internal network channel has its own wi-fi, which is supervised by a person, and also has an account password verification. The external network channel is regulated and managed by the carrier. Two-way verification, remote monitoring, encrypted transmission, vibrant passwords, strict isolation of software and some devices to meet carrier-grade security requirements, complete isolation of indoor and outdoor wi-fi, extrannetwork-channel authentication of customer SIM cards,

5G CPE can be upgraded to a small base station, with both WiFi LAN and micro-base station functions. Good signal at the window, negative signal inside the car. Install a 5G CPE micro-base station by the window of your home and connect it to a power supply (or bring your own power supply).

It can access 4G and 5G networks through the CPE's external network. The phone charges, SMS charges, and information charges generated by the CPE are included in the phone SIM card number, but are not included in the CPE device. Peripheral WIFI devices without SIM cards, computer tablets (generally with WIFI), without wi-fi can get the USB user interface wi-fi card, through the WIFI Intranet access to 4G/5G network, resulting in traffic charges Input number corresponding to the CPE SIM card.

5G CPE micro base station, no matter where you go, as long as there is a 4G/5G signal by the window, there are mobile phones indoors, there are other terminal tools with SIM cards, and WIFI, you can call the Internet standby to solve the problem of indoor invisible. WIFI tools without SIM cards can also pass through the Intranet.

5G CPE applications

1. 5G CPE will act as a smart home gateway

In addition to providing Internet access, 5G CPE will also act as a smart home gateway in the future.

The demand for home routers has been the focus of competition among many vendors, because the router itself brings profits, as it is the gateway to the entire home network service and the entry platform for digital home operations. The 5G CPE serves the same purpose as a router. It will be the intelligent gateway for the unborn 5G family and the fulcrum for the intelligent life of the whole family.

With 5G CPE, users can control a variety of smart devices in their homes and connect everything, significantly enhancing the life experience of family members.



5G CPE has great potential for enterprise demand

In addition to consumer demand, 5G CPE has a very broad operational prospect in terms of enterprise demand.

Take smart factories, for example. In the future, all the devices and gears in the factory will be networked. 5G CPE can act as a unified traffic inlet and outlet for all devices in an area (shop floor), providing low-cost, high-speed network connectivity for these devices.

With the increase of application scenarios, 5G CPE will support more communication protocols other than 5G (such as Bluetooth, UWB, etc.), and truly become the control center of all devices.

3. Pipe network monitoring

Urban heating monitoring, natural gas network wireless monitoring, urban water supply network monitoring.

conclusion
All in all, 5G CPE is very important for both households and businesses.

With the full rollout of 5G network construction, 5G signal coverage is getting farther and farther. The demand for 5G CPE will continue to increase, and there will be more and more application scenarios around 5G CPE.

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Shenzhen MovingComm Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.movingcommiot.com