SCIENCE

Freescale Semiconductor announced that it is collaborating with Qualcomm Atheros to demonstrate home energy management using the Smart Energy Profile 2.0 over Wi-Fi, Ethernet and HomePlug Green PHY (HomePlug GP) standard. The technology was demonstrated at the Metering, Billing/CRM Europeevent this week.

Home energy management systems appeal to utility companies because they provide the ability to implement demand-response systems within the smart grid to reduce energy consumption during peak periods. A home energy management system provides consumers relevant, actionable data, giving them the opportunity to monitor and control their energy use and, ultimately, save money. The Freescale/Qualcomm Atheros demonstration shows a new powerline communication option, along with the low power Wi-Fi option, for home energy management.

HomePlug GP is a specification that targets smart grid and smart energy applications based on customer requirements for cost, coverage and performance; it is driven by input from utility companies as well as companies that manufacture meters, automobiles and appliances. The demonstration includes Freescale's Home Energy Manager reference design for monitoring and controlling the electricity consumption of in-home appliances and communicating over Qualcomm Atheros' PL-14 HPGP board using the Ubilogix implementation of the Smart Energy 2.0 Profile.

Also demonstrated at the show was the Freescale Tower System development platform which incorporates the Qualcomm Atheros AR4100, a highly integrated Wi-Fi system-in-package (SIP) for microcontroller (MCU) based design. The AR4100 enables long range transmission while minimizing energy consumption. The TWR-WIFI-AR4100 is a peripheral module for the Tower System that allows the AR4100 to be quickly added to tower designs based on select Kinetis and Coldfire processors. The TWR-WIFI-AR4100 package comes with all of the required software to implement an AR4100 design, as well as example designs. The module is tightly integrated with Freescale's MQX operating system.

"Freescale's Home Energy Manager reference design provides a head start for designers of smart grid solutions planned for deployment around the world," said Bruno Baylac, director of Freescale's Metering, Medical and Connectivity Solutions business. "Qualcomm Atheros' leading connectivity solutions, consisting of Ethernet, WiFi and HomePlug GP, provide several advantages for in-home powerline communication and also support the Smart Energy 2.0 Profile, allowing cross-compatible communication and helping remove the risk of obsolescence."

"By collaborating with Freescale, we are one step closer to bringing smart energy to the home," said Adam Lapede, senior director, networking business unit, Qualcomm Atheros. "With this solution, we are providing the potential for consumers to save energy and money by controlling their home energy settings from their mobile devices. This technology will become increasingly necessary and beneficial as the world population continues to grow and the energy supply continues to shrink, increasing the already significant demands on utilities providers."

Freescale provides a wide range of smart energy solutions for smart grid and smart metering infrastructure and home and building area networks. Freescale solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including smart meters, home energy managers, networked smart gateways, communication solutions for inside and outside the home, data concentrators, renewable energy solutions and electrical vehicle supply equipment.

Home energy management systems available from Freescale include:

• Networked Smart Gateway, an integrated high-speed Wi-Fi router and home area network (HAN) offering energy management, automation and security
• Home Energy Manager Wi-Fi enabled HAN, offering cost-effective home automation and energy management
• In-Home Energy Display meter monitor with HAN to provide a cost-effective remote monitor for smart meters and home systems.