May 19, 2008 -
Integrating 8-channel ADC converter and MAXQ® microprocessor for computing poly-phase multifunction energy metering parameters, MAXQ3180 Energy-Measurement IC monitors power grid and load status. It also monitors neutral line current flow, detects voltage sequence error, and measures current in absence of phase voltages. Featuring operating temperature range of -40 to +85°C, unit provides 2 configurable pulse outputs that can be set to output large array of operational parameters.
Precision Polyphase, Multifunction Energy-Measurement IC Provides the Most Features at the Lowest Power
Most Complete Polyphase Multifunction Metering AFE at the Lowest Power
o The MAXQ3180 is an energy-measurement IC for multifunction polyphase meters.
o The device integrates precision analog and innovative signal-processing techniques to provide more advanced metering features than any single product in the market today.
o The many features of the MAXQ3180 anticipate emerging industry demands, so the device provides the utmost design flexibility, saves design time, and shortens time to market.
SUNNYVALE, CA-April 14, 2008-Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAXQ3180, a highly accurate and low-power polyphase IC for measuring electricity activity. The MAXQ3180 integrates an 8-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a dedicated, high-performance MAXQ® microprocessor for computing a broad set of poly-phase multifunction energy metering parameters. Six of the input channels are dedicated to the three phase voltages and three currents. One channel is dedicated for the neutral line current monitoring, and the 8th channel is for on-chip temperature monitoring. With this high integration, the MAXQ3180 makes it easy to monitor the power grid and load status.
The MAXQ3180 monitors neutral line current flow, detects a voltage sequence error, and measures current in the absence of the phase voltages. The device exceeds all relevant international standards for electricity metering (IEC 62053-21, IEC 62053-22, IEC 62053-23). To provide flexible operation, the device provides two configurable pulse outputs (typically for active and reactive energy) that can be set to output any of a large array of operational parameters. The MAXQ3180 interfaces with a host microcontroller through the standard SPI(TM) protocol.
Electricity Metering Challenge: High Accuracy and Cost Sensitivity
The industry requirements for electricity metering are evolving rapidly and becoming more challenging for both the meter design companies and the providers of electricity metering equipment. The electric utility and the energy consumer want accurate metering, and often across a very wide dynamic range. With huge amounts of power measured constantly, each KWH that is monitored inaccurately represents significant money to the power companies or to the consumers.
Some numbers illustrate the challenges that electricity metering poses for the utilities and device designers. Four specifications are worth noting.
1. A typical class 1 meter may specify a measurement range of 1000:1. (That is, the power flow must be measured accurately with the current input changing over a 1000 to 1 range.)
2. The maximum error specification for the metrological device is typically 0.1% of the parameter being measured over the specified dynamic range.
3. Assuming that the ADC full scale is 1V, the smallest signal that must be measured would be 1mV. Therefore, with a target error of 0.1% of 1mV, the smallest signal to measure is 1µV. To resolve 1µV out of 1V, one would need a 20-bit ADC.
One should now ask, why have the above measurement specifications been so difficult to achieve with traditional electricity metering devices? What do these specifications and performance expectations mean for the designer of electricity metering devices? The answer starts with the ADC.
ADCs with 20-bit or better accuracies do exist, but they are not cost-competitive for the mass market of energy meters. Consequently, the provider of electricity metering devices must deliver a more economical, cost-competitive solution that contains not only adequate ADCs but also the best signal-processing chain so that the target energy error is achieved. The MAXQ3180 integrates an 8-channel ADC and dynamic gain control that resolves the 1µV from 1V demanded by the industry.
4. The metering environment is often noisy and subject to high-voltage spikes. The minimum EFT (electric fast transient) specification for the meter is 4kV.
This latter performance specification is equally challenging for electricity meter designers. Circuit boards must withstand the abuse of the deployment environment and yet maintain adequate fidelity to the very small analog input signals.
Electricity Metering Challenge: Evolving Features and Time to Market
Compounding the need for high accuracy at the lowest possible cost is the dynamic nature of the electricity market itself. New monitoring metrics frequently emerge, and are then requested by the utility companies. Recent examples include power theft detection, real-time power quality monitoring, and consumption pattern reporting (i.e., load profiling). These new metrics often translate into new metering device functions, enhanced capabilities, and complex communication protocols.
Inevitably implementing new device performance capabilities with rigorous performance expectations takes time to design and implement in a new metrological device. Time to market is, of course, critical for both the meter utility companies and the solution providers. It is thus imperative that new metering designs integrate enough capabilities to accommodate emerging industry demands. The metering devices must also provide the utmost flexibility to save design time.
The MAXQ3180's integrates the capabilities demanded for today's most advanced energy-measurement IC. It provides reactive and power-factor measurements for which some utilities may bill. It delivers the critical ampere-hour measurements, plus peak current and voltage measurements. The device gives instantaneous power for peak demand calculations. The complex communication protocols are managed by a host microcontroller through a standard SPI interface.
New Electricity Meter Provides the Most Metering Features at the Lowest Power
The MAXQ3180 integrates more metering features than any single competitive device. It meets the demanding performance specifications of today's electricity metering industry while operating at the lowest power. See a comparison table of these metering features at http://www.maxim-ic.com/MAXQ3180-Table1
The MAXQ3180 is packaged in a 28-pin TSSOP package and operates over the -40°C to +85°C temperature range. Three-phase power-meter reference designs are available to speed designs and reduce time-to-market. Prices start at $5.25 (1000-up, FOB USA).
Maxim Integrated Products, a two billion dollar company, designs and manufactures ICs for analog and mixed-signal applications. The company has designed over 5400 products, more than any other analog semiconductor company, in the 25 years since its founding.
Customer Service:1-800-998-8800 Company Information: Name: Maxim Integrated Products Address: 120 San Gabriel Dr. City: Sunnyvale State: CA ZIP: 94086 Country: USA Phone: 408-737-7600 FAX: 408-737-7194 http://www.maxim-ic.com
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