Si Technology Whitepaper
- 1. LEVEL 10 369 ROYALPARADE PARKVILLE VICTORIA 3052 AUSTRALIA http://www.semitech.com.au
- 2. CONTENTS CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 2 EXECUTIVESUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 3 TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 4 Semitech PLC ASIC Chip Specifications ............................................................................... 5 THE APPLICATIONS ................................................................................................................ 7 Market overview ..................................................................................................................... 7 AMR/AMI................................................................................................................................ 7 AMR/AMI Reference sites .................................................................................................. 8 Network Management System Software .......................................................................... 10 Home Automation ................................................................................................................ 11 Streetlight Control ................................................................................................................ 12 Traffic Light Control .............................................................................................................. 13 TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP .................................................................................................... 14 Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 2
- 3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Founded in 1997 Semitech Innovations Pty Ltd (Formerly Semiconductor Technologies Australia Pty Ltd) is a Melbourne-based fabless semiconductor design company. Its current flagship product is a System On A Chip power line communication device named “SIMAC”. SIMAC’s technology uses existing power line grid infrastructure to send and receive data and other control signals. This technology eliminates the need for additional communications infrastructure by transporting electronic information along power line networks. The technology has been proven to work reliably on networks that span a wide area. It enables utility companies to streamline their network management by reducing costs, enhancing efficiency, reducing emissions and cutting energy consumption. This technology can also be used for home automation and control, giving consumers real time consumption and usage data. Semitech Innovations staff and management possess extensive industry, technical and commercial experience. The company founder, Mr Stephen M. Kim, has over 30 years of experience in power generation and utility consulting. He also has extensive semiconductor industry expertise, including design, manufacture and international sales. The company specializes in networking, monitoring and control devices. Examples of such devices include: electricity meters home automation security systems factory machine controls Semitech also has experience creating user friendly databases and management control software for such devices. Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 3
- 4. TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW Power line communications (PLC) is a rapidly evolving area that utilizes the existing electricity wires to transfer information. PLC is categorised into narrowband and broadband technologies. Broadband PLC provides faster transmission at higher cost. It suits specialist applications that require higher transmission speed and have fewer requirements on the accuracy of data. Narrowband PLC utilises lower frequencies and transmits at slower speed. It is best suited for remote meter reading, electricity system monitoring/control, and home appliance control due to its higher reliability and lower cost compared with broadband PLC. All power line communications systems operate by superimposing a modulated carrier signal onto the existing power line wiring system. Different types of power line communications use different frequency bands depending on the signal transmission characteristics of the power wiring used. Since the power wiring system was originally intended for the distribution of AC power, the power wire circuits have only a limited ability to carry higher frequencies. This propagation problem is a limiting factor for each type of power line communications. Most commercial narrowband PLC technologies on the market typically involve one type of modulation scheme with fixed carrier frequencies and proprietary protocols. Therefore, their performance and flexibility to integrate with devices from different vendors are limited. The SIMAC technology addresses this limitation by SiMAC allows data employing open protocol and adding more functions to the chip. It is based on a highly integrated SoC communication over (System on a Chip) ASIC (Application Specific the existing power Integrated Circuit) chip developed by Semitech Innovations. It has a number of key competitive lines. “No new wires” advantages over other commercial PLC products: dual modulation schemes and 8 dynamically are needed. selectable multi-carrier frequencies to provide best reliability for communication and most flexibility. unique dual channel operation for simultaneously packet transmission and reception to double the data throughput. The chip is embedded with two 32-bit MCUs and two 32Kbyte Flash. The first MCU is used for network protocol processing. It provides an open protocol platform for seamless integration with many popular existing narrowband PLC protocols. The second MCU and 32Kbyte Flash is used for user application processing, reducing the overall cost of a system solution. The chip also contains an integrated Triple DES encryption/decryption core which provides much stronger data security than other commercial products. It utilises a unique power line transceiver with 2 patents (one international, one pending). Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 4
- 5. Semitech PLC ASICChip Specifications SIMAC PLC chip part no. SIMAC-6401 Standard EIA709.1, EIA709.2, CENELEC Power line network LV, MV, DC and twisted pair Bandwidth 11kHz Modulations BPSK, FSK Receiver sensitivity -80dBV Baud rate 5.4kbps ~ 2.8kbps Packet size < 255Bytes Carrier frequencies 131kHz, 113kHz, 104kHz, 94kHz, 86kHz, 79kHz, 73kHz, 67kHz (dynamically changeable) MCU Dual 32-bit MCUs for network and application Flash 2 x 32Kbytes RAM 12Kbytes IOs 23 IOs Security Trip DES encryption/decryption, EIA709.1 authentication Special features Error correction, phase detection, dual Tx/Rx channels, LonWorks® and FSK PLT chip interoperable UNID 48-bit unique ID per chip Package 64-pin TQFP Temperature –40ºC to +85ºC SIMAC PLC chip part no. SIMAC-1001 Standard EIA709.1, EIA709.2, CENELEC Power line network LV, MV, DC and twisted pair Bandwidth 11kHz Modulations BPSK, FSK Receiver sensitivity -80dBV Baud rate 5.4kbps ~ 2.8kbps Packet size < 255Bytes Carrier frequencies 131kHz, 113kHz, 104kHz, 94kHz, 86kHz, 79kHz, 73kHz, 67kHz (dynamically changeable) MCU Dual 32-bit MCUs for network and application Flash 2 x 32Kbytes and support up to 128Kbytes external memory RAM 12Kbytes IOs 56 IOs including1 SPI, 2 UARTs and external memory bus Security Trip DES encryption/decryption, EIA709.1 authentication Special features Error correction, phase detection, dual Tx/Rx channels, LonWorks® and FSK PLT chip interoperable UNID 48-bit unique ID per chip Package 100-pin LQFP Temperature –40ºC to +85ºC Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 5
- 6. STALON1 PLC chip part no. STALON-3000A Standard EIA709.1, EIA709.2, CENELEC Power line network LV, MV, DC and twisted pair Bandwidth 11kHz Modulations BPSK Receiver sensitivity -80dBV Baud rate 5.4kbps ~ 2.8kbps Packet size < 255Bytes Carrier frequencies 131kHz, 113kHz, 104kHz, 94kHz, 86kHz, 79kHz, 73kHz, 67kHz (dynamically changeable) MCU 32-bit MCU shared by network and application Flash 64Kbytes RAM 8Kbytes IOs 40 GPIOs, 1 SPI, 2 UARTs Security DES encryption/decryption, EIA709.1 authentication Special features Error correction, LonWorks ® interoperable UNID 48-bit unique ID per chip Package 100-pin PQFP Temperature –40ºC to +85ºC These advanced features of the SIMAC chip provide the reliability and flexibility to make it an ideal candidate for many current and future PLC projects around the world. 1 STALON is a previous version of SIMAC chip. Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 6
- 7. THE APPLICATIONS Electricity meters Market overview embedded with The SIMAC technology is ideal for a variety of markets that require monitoring and control of large SiMAC provides number of devices. The most important markets include functionality which Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Home Automation (HA) and Lighting saves money and control. energy. AMR/AMI When power prices are volatile or supplies are short, reducing peak loads becomes a top priority for utility companies. Billing customers for energy based on the time of day has proven to be a viable means for reducing peak loads. In 2007, there were approximately 1.6 billion electricity meters installed in the world. The annual demand for new meters is 122 million. About 79% of the total installed meters are electromechanical and 21% are solid state. Six major countries account for 54% of the electricity meters in the world: China, USA & Canada, India, Japan, Brazil, and Russia2. In the past few years, most developed countries and many developing countries (e.g. China and India) have proposed to replace existing meter infrastructure by full AMI capabilities with two-way communication. This is currently the main driver for the solid state meter market in Europe and Asia. The switch to solid state meters takes three forms. First, government mandates for change as enacted by the governments of India, Iran, Sweden, Netherlands, California in USA, Victoria in Australia, with more in the pipeline. Secondly, large-scale utility company deployments such as the Telegastore in Italy and many in the US. And thirdly, smaller ad hoc deployments often starting with the C&I segment of the meter market and filtering down to residential meters. With the reliability and flexibility provided by our SIMAC technology, large scale AMR/AMI implementation can become a reality. Systems based on SIMAC offer significant efficiency benefits including: lowering energy consumption management to reduce peak load reduced supplier costs less GHG emissions more accurate service to the consumers. 2 Source: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reportinfo.asp?report_id=302436&t=t&cat_id= Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 7
- 8. A typical SIMACsystem can collect and manage data from smart meters in real time via a two way power line communications link, as illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 1 AMR/AMI System The meters can be either smart meters embedded with SIMAC chips or meters connected to SIMAC PLC modems through RS232 or pulse output. Gas meters and water meters with pulse output can also be read in this system. The power line network can be either Low Voltage or Medium Voltage power line network. AMR/AMI Reference sites 1) Lang Fang Gao Shan MV PLC AMR system: 700 MV PLC nodes were installed in 11 distributions lines network of one 110KV/10KV transformer and two 35KV/10KV transformers in San He City, Lang Fang, He Bei Province, China. The system was developed by Lang Fang Gao Shan Electronic Science and Technology Pty. Ltd using STALON chip. This site has been running reliably for 2 years and has passed user acceptance testing. The maximum communication distance is 40km with repeaters. 2) SWIP AMR system: 22 single phase meters of Synchrosoft Building in Xi’an, China have been read using STALON nodes and STALON concentrator since 2005. This AMR system was developed by SWIP Co., Ltd. 3) BPSK/FSK concentrator: Semitech developed a BPSK/FSK concentrator for a major European customer. The SIMAC technology used in this concentrator enables it to read Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 8
- 9. the customer’s existingmeters built by different vendors using different devices (PL31x0 and ST7538) and protocols. It helped the customer to overcome the difficulties with integrating their heterogeneous meter system. 4) Semitech AMI system in Latrobe University: Semitech has replaced 12 three-phase and 18 single-phase mechanical meters in the R&D Building 2, Latrobe University with Atlas Gemini 3-phase meters with STALON nodes and 18 single phase meters embedded with SIMAC-6401 chip. 5) Trial sites at sub-metering companies: Semitech is working on two trial sites with two sub-metering companies to provide AMR service to the customers. 6) Trial site in India: A trial site using more than 200 SIMAC devices has been started since Q4, 2008 with an Indian utility company. Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 9
- 10. Network Management SystemSoftware Semitech has developed Network Management System software with web access for the above demo sites. It can be used alone or integrated to the customer’s existing database. Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 10
- 11. Home Automation Home Automation (HA) includes automating various household electrical appliances such as fridges, washing machines, lights, electric curtains, heaters, air conditioning, etc. Appliances at commercial premises can also belong to this category. Effective HA systems can control virtually any electrical device to operate at specific or scheduled time. The HA market is still at an earlier stage. Many appliance manufactures are yet to introduce the next stage of automation to enable power management. The size of the market is about $9.8 billion in 2007, which include integration/installation. The market is projected to grow to more than $11 billion in 20083. Many current home automation solutions require new wiring to be laid within the house, which involves a significant amount of work and cost. SIMAC renders this cost and effort un- necessary, as it uses the existing electrical wiring. In the electric switch and power point market, a “SIMAC embedded” point allows smart communication without rewiring a home or office. SIMAC therefore reduces price/installation barriers demonstrating how SIMAC adds value/functionality to existing products. Furthermore since energy management is a big driver in this market, SIMAC AMI systems and SIMAC HA systems can be seamlessly integrated and mutually enhance. A typical SIMAC HA system is illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 2 SIMAC Home Automation System 3 Source: http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Automation/General/W3G7L2H2 Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 11
- 12. Streetlight Control SIMAC technology can be used in the remote control and monitoring of street lights. There are approximately 500 million street lights in the world. The issues of maintenance, monitoring, and efficiency of these lights are becoming more pronounced as energy becomes more expensive. Many planning authorities are requiring new developments to use smart light systems. The SIMAC chip is ideal for use in smart lights with potential benefits of: Increased electrical safety through ground fault monitoring Minimizing light pollution by adjusting the lighting power according to the traffic load Increased energy savings through sophisticated multi-parameter control Reduced maintenance costs by giving better information to contractors Increased security with better control. A SIMAC enabled streetlight system can respond to schedules set for any time of the night which is a clear advantage over photocell controlled streetlights. The SIMAC streetlight control system also cost less than other wireless based streetlight control systems, as it uses the exiting infrastructure to communicate between their control modules retrofitted in the poles of the streetlights and a concentrator, typically located in the local transformer station. One unique advantage of SIMAC technology over other control network technologies for street lighting applications is its routing capability that allows the communication between each module. Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 12
- 13. Traffic Light Control Traffic light control is another huge market for SIMAC technology. Traffic has become ever more important given the high energy prices, growing population, and the development of two most populous countries – China and India. Growing number of road users and limited resources provided by current infrastructures lead to ever increasing travel time. Traffic in a city is very much affected by traffic light controllers. When waiting for a traffic light, the driver looses time and the car uses fuel. Hence smart traffic lights management can save our society billions of dollars annually and decrease energy consumption. To make traffic light controllers more intelligent, novel technologies such as communication networks and sensor networks, as well as the use of more sophisticated algorithms for setting traffic lights are needed. The SIMAC technology provides a very cost effective communication channel to the traffic light control systems to send/receive data to/from remote locations and allows problems to be seen, analysed and addressed rapidly. In summary, the SIMAC technology has very promising applications in many markets. It has the potential to modernise many existing power related infrastructure systems to achieve a much higher level of efficiency and automation. It has been chosen for use in several projects in Europe and Asia. Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 13
- 14. TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP Semitech Innovations Technology White Paper 14