Maxim's smart-meter reference platform integrates metrology, security, and communications for a safer smart grid

Designers of smart meters can now reduce time to market, raise the bar for higher accuracy, and secure their designs with Capistrano, a smart grid reference platform from Maxim Integrated Products. Powered by the company's Zeus metering SoC, Capistrano protects designs with advanced cryptography, physical attack detection, and life-cycle security schemes. Protecting more than just the smart meter, the security technology is capable of securing any distributed node in the smart grid. Additionally, the high integration in Capistrano makes it versatile—it simplifies smart grid designs by integrating four complex processors: an applications processor, metering microcontroller, metering front-end/DSP, and security coprocessor. The device also offers the best accuracy in the industry — 0.1% over a wide current range of 8000:1. The combination of advanced measurement, powerful security tools, and efficient processing allows Capistrano to support evolving application design requirements. Thus it is ideal for a wide variety of applications, including smart meters, smart lighting, solar inverters, building automation, submetering, and other smart applications. Key Advantages -High integration: integrates an applications processor, metering microcontroller, metering front-end/DSP, and a secure coprocessor. -Advanced security: integrates physical-attack detection, a secure bootloader, and advanced cryptography schemes including elliptic curve; supports secure in-field software upgrades. -Excellent performance: offers independent ADC channels for metrology; 0.1% accuracy over an 8000:1 range. -Flexibility: easily connect Capistrano to PRIME, G3-PLC™, GPRS, and other modems; enough processing power to handle future application requirements. Simplifies and speeds designs: start designs for next-generation smart grid products with the most integrated reference platform and optimized BOM cost. Industry Commentary "Capistrano offers the best performance and highest security for smart energy applications," said Kris Ardis, Executive Director of Energy Solutions at Maxim Integrated. "It provides an excellent toolbox for building tomorrow's smart grid." "More than 100 million smart electricity meters are expected to be shipped in 2014," said Jacob Rodrigues Pereira, IHS analyst for smart utilities infrastructure. "For designers, security, improving smart meter time to market, and adapting to changing policy requirements will all be critical." European Utility Week Maxim Integrated will present the MAX78700/MAX78615 chipset at European Utility Week in Amsterdam on October 15-17, 2013. Maxim will also demonstrate its other highly integrated energy-measurement solutions, including a complete smart meter reference platform, residential energy-measurement and lighting demos, and a distribution automation system. European Utility Week Maxim Integrated