Accent, a Milan-based leader in semiconductor integration of communications and metering technologies, has introduced an advanced metrology solution for smart meter devices.

At the hub of Smart Grid development are power meters, which are used by both utilities and their customers to track energy usage. Accurate energy measurement is required for home appliance management, for proper billing, and for the demand response mechanisms used to dynamically manage energy production.

Accent’s full-featured solution achieves 0.1 percent accuracy over a dynamic range of 2000 to 1 and when integrated with Accent’s ASMgrid SoC Platform, provides meter manufacturers with leading-edge system capabilities for smart energy applications, while significantly reducing their electronic BOM.

The energy measurement function in a meter is a critical system component to equipment vendors and utilities that is typically implemented as a stand-alone IC,” said Federico Arcelli, CEO of Accent. “Our metrology solution and reference silicon exemplifies our world-class design and integration capabilities. This product introduction represents yet another significant milestone for our ASMgrid Platform, as the company continues to expand its silicon integration options for Smart Grid equipment manufacturers.”

Available as an ASMgrid Platform technology option, the Accent metrology solution implements a high- precision multi-channel analog front-end for current and voltage sensing, providing scalability to address single-phase or poly-phase products. Energy measurement calculations are performed by Accent’s software-programmable, proprietary 32-bit DSP.

The Accent metrology solution also integrates additional hardware and software capabilities required by manufacturers to detect tampering and prevent energy theft. The solution has been designed to meet relevant ANSI  and IEC  standards, and the reference silicon has undergone rigorous testing.

Founded in 1993, Accent is an ISO 9001:2008-certified leader in semiconductor integration of communications and metering technologies for the Smart Grid industry. The company is backed by renowned investors such as Sofinnova Partners and Tallwood Venture Capital.  

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