A leader in semiconductor integration of communications and metering technologies for the Smart Grid industry, Accent has developed an advanced metrology solution. In a press release, the company said that the solution has been designed to address the demanding energy measurement needs of smart meter devices.

The Accent customers have the choice to buy the solution as a part of Accent’s ASMgrid Platform technology. When integrated with Accent’s ASMgrid SoC Platform, the solution provides meter manufacturers leading-class system capabilities for smart energy applications. The system integrates a high precision multi-channel analog front-end for current and voltage sensing, which allows it to provide scalability to address single-phase or poly-phase products.

Accent’s software-programmable, proprietary 32-bit DSP processor does not only allow it to perform energy measurement calculations, it also enables rapid customizations to meet a vendor’s unique product needs.

The Accent metrology solution is also capable of preventing energy theft by detecting tampering with its embedded additional hardware and software capabilities.

In the press release, Accent affirmed that the solution is ANSI and IEC (News - Alert) standards-compliant. Reference silicon has undergone rigorous testing, which included operating on-chip RF systems (2.4 GHz 802.15.4, 900 MHz 802.15.4g) in parallel. This ensures correct operation even in the presence of noise from the wireless modules, the company clarified.

“The energy measurement function in a meter is a critical system component to equipment vendors and utilities that is typically implemented as a stand-alone IC. Our metrology solution and reference silicon exemplifies our world-class design and integration capabilities. This product introduction represents yet another significant milestone for our ASMgrid Platform, as the company continues to expand its silicon integration options for Smart Grid equipment manufacturers,” CEO of Accent Federico Arcelli explained in a statement.

In April, Accent announced the availability of its Sub-GHz RF transceiver supporting the advanced performance needs defined by the standardization efforts of the IEEE (News - Alert) 802.15 TG4g task group. The group's charter is to create a global standard for a PHY amendment to 802.15.4 targeting applications such as smart-grid utility networks.