Microsemi and Ariane Controls to Provide FPGA Technology for Smart Grid and Electric Vehicle Advancement

Microsemi (News - Alert) Corporation, provider of semiconductor technology, will be pairing with Ariane Controls, a powerline communications developer, to provide FPGA technology for a premier development platform capable of supporting emerging electric-vehicle charging and related Smart Grid standards.

Ariane Control’s AC-CPM1 AutoGrade J2931 utilizes the flexibility and functioning capability of Microsemi's ProASIC3 flash FPGAs to speed design cycles for systems which employ automotive standard J2931 for communication between Electric Vehicles (EV) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). Currently Microsemi's ProASIC3 FPGAs is the only solution in the industry which meets all Grade 1 AEC-Q100 automotive qualifications at junction temperatures up to 135°C.

In a release, Esam Elashmawi, vice president and general manager of the SoC Products Group at Microsemi said that, “We are pleased to be playing an important role in the development of these key standards for electric vehicles and related Smart Grid applications. This platform combines the industry-low power consumption and flexibility of our automotive-grade FPGAs with Ariane Controls' powerline communications technology to create a highly effective and adaptable development environment for automotive manufacturers as J2931 standards continue to evolve. Our FPGAs also provide ideal solutions for production smart car charging systems as these standards are finalized and ratified.”

The Ariane Controls AC-CPM1 AutoGrade J2931 platform employs Microsemi's ProASIC3 flash FPGAs to drive its proven PLM-1 intellectual property (IP) block. Ariane’s PLM-1 intellectual property (IP) block has been designed to provide a powerful and economical method for the transportation of data over existing wires.

Microsemi's ProASIC3 flash FPGAs can effectively cut down self-heating issues and provide higher temperature operation and increased design margin while simultaneously offering a longer product life expectancy. The FPGAs are resistant to neutron-induced firm errors and, have been designed to eliminate the risk of configuration memory upset. These capabilities make Microsemi's ProASIC3 flash FPGAs perfect for deployment in automotive powertrain and safety systems.

Mario Lepage, head of Automotive Development at Ariane Controls stated that, “The AC-CPM1 AutoGrade J2931 platform leverage's Microsemi's robust ProASIC3 FPGAs to provide the only solution available today for system evaluation and development in harsh automotive environment. This new design implements Ariane's technology optimized for communication on the control pilot line of the standardized J1772TM connectors used with EVs and EVSEs. We can now offer automakers and charging station manufacturers a development platform enabling continued testing and evaluation of potential communication means for next-generation electric transportation.”

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