32-bit MCUs for smart metering add PLC modem

To address the rapidly increasing complexity of smart meters and the need to effectively integrate a variety of communications solutions, Microchip Technology announced a smart metering platform, the PIC32CXMT family of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) with a new MPL460 power line communication (PLC) modem. The next-generation platform is specifically designed for industrial IoT and commercial and industrial metering. Key features include up to 200 MHz operation, broad scalability with up to 560 KB of memory (SRAM), and greater flexibility.

(Source: Microchip Technology)

The PIC32CXMT family, consisting of three variants, are based on a single Arm Cortex-M4F core, a dual Arm Cortex-M4 core, and a system-on-chip (SoC) device. The MPL460 PLC modem integrates a line driver for signal amplification and maintains signal injection efficiency above 40%. Microchip claims that the MPL460 PLC modem increases efficiency and reliability based on power delivered to the load and power taken from the supply, reducing power consumption from the source during transmission.

The platform includes several transceiver solutions including a radio/PHY, a PLC/PHY, and an option to select a PLC+RF hybrid solution. Options also include a metrology and ANSI and IEC-compliant communications software suite. Standards for wired and wireless communications, such as G3-PLC and PRIME are also supported. The PIC32CXMT MCUs offer standard and proprietary on-chip hardware security features. 

The PIC32CXMT family and MPL460 modem are supported by Microchip’s MPLAB Harmony v3 embedded software framework. Additional resources include IAR Systems, Arm, Keil Development Environment, G3-PLC, and PRIME software.

The PIC32CXMT family and MPL460 are currently sampling on a limited basis. The three variants include the single-core, SAM4C, PIC32CXMT-G series; dual-core, PIC32CXMT-C series; and system-on-chip, SAM4CM, PIC32CXMT-SH series.