Kit enables development of smart grid systems

Texas Instruments' PLC Development Kit enables developers to network systems and implement monitoring capabilities that reduce device maintenance and create greener, more efficient products.

The TMDSPLCKIT-V2 is based on the industry's only PLC modem solution capable of supporting multiple modulation and protocol standards on a single hardware platform.

Developers will now be able to quickly evaluate the suitability of using PLC-based communications and then jumpstart development for smart grid applications ranging from smart electrical meters to intelligently controlled industrial applications, including lighting, solar, home automation, building control, plug-in electrical vehicle and energy-managed appliances.

TI's PLC modem is a modular, fully programmable solution comprised of separate microcontroller (MCU) and analogue front end (AFE) modules, and a complete software framework designed for flexibility and adaptation to various application and regional requirements.

The MCU module is based on TI's real-time control C2000 architecture and interfaces seamlessly with the AFE and application processors to which the PLC modem communicates.

The AFE module is self-contained and fully isolated, reducing design cycle time, lowering power consumption and reducing system cost.

TI also offers its comprehensive PLC Suite, a modular software framework separating modulation, protocol and application development to extend the maximum flexibility to developers in testing and designing with PLC modems.

With its flexible PLC modem solution capable of supporting multiple standards and modulation schemes, TI is able to deliver components for smart grid applications.

Features: two robust narrowband PLC modems for communications over low-voltage/medium-voltage power lines with scalable data rate up to 128kbps; flexible architecture and software framework supports all major PLC standards - including S-FSK (IEC61334), Prime, and G3 - as well as TI customisable Low Frequency Narrowband OFDM library FlexOFDM; integrated AFE supports all low-frequency narrowband modulation standards while offering multiple operating modes for power optimisation, excellent thermal performance and lower system component count and cost; turnkey evaluation and production software through the royalty-free PLC Suite modular software framework that simplifies development and enables developers to easily adapt products to specific protocol, application and regional requirements; fully programmable OFDM-based system allowing environmental tuning for robustness and reliability of communication performance; and GUI-based control for quick visualisation of key PLC modem parameters.

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