Power-line comm SoC handles many standards

The ZENO MAX79356 narrowband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based power-line communications modem SoC will accommodate the G3-PLC, Prime, and P1901.2 standards in the CENELEC A, ARIB, and FCC frequency bands (10 to 490 KHz). The device integrates includes two pipelined 32-bit RISC processors for PHY signal processing and MAC layer functionality, and a complete analog front end.

The chip takes only 55 mW in listen mode, and 70 mW in active transmission, and has a 128/256-bit AES and AES-CCM engine for encryption/decryption and authentication. It also features a high-sensitivity receiver with adaptive gain control. The IC operates over -40° to 105°C, comes in a LQFP48 package, and costs about $4.95 ea/1,000.