Date: 11/10/2011

Freescale uses Qualcomm Atheros' devices to demo smart energy app

Freescale Semiconductor in collaboration with Qualcomm Atheros has demonstrated home energy management using the Smart Energy Profile 2.0 over Wi-Fi, Ethernet and HomePlug Green PHY (HomePlug GP) standard at Metering, Billing/CRM Europe event. The demonstration includes Freescale's Home Energy Manager reference design for monitoring and controlling the electricity consumption of in-home appliances and communicating over Qualcomm Atheros' PL-14 HPGP board using the Ubilogix implementation of the Smart Energy 2.0 Profile. Freescale has also demonstrated Tower System development platform, which incorporates the Qualcomm Atheros AR4100, a highly integrated Wi-Fi system-in-package (SIP) for microcontroller (MCU) based design. The AR4100 enables long-range transmission while minimizing energy consumption. The TWR-WIFI-AR4100 is a peripheral module for the Tower System that allows the AR4100 to be quickly added to tower designs based on select Kinetis and Coldfire processors. The TWR-WIFI-AR4100 package comes with all of the required software to implement an AR4100 design, as well as example designs. The module is tightly integrated with Freescale's MQX operating system.

HomePlug GP is a specification that targets smart grid and smart energy applications based on customer requirements for cost, coverage and performance; it is driven by input from utility companies as well as companies that manufacture meters, automobiles and appliances.

"Freescale's Home Energy Manager reference design provides a head start for designers of smart grid solutions planned for deployment around the world," said Bruno Baylac, director of Freescale's Metering, Medical and Connectivity Solutions business. "Qualcomm Atheros' leading connectivity solutions, consisting of Ethernet, WiFi and HomePlug GP, provide several advantages for in-home powerline communication and also support the Smart Energy 2.0 Profile, allowing cross-compatible communication and helping remove the risk of obsolescence."

"By collaborating with Freescale, we are one step closer to bringing smart energy to the home," said Adam Lapede, senior director, networking business unit, Qualcomm Atheros. "With this solution, we are providing the potential for consumers to save energy and money by controlling their home energy settings from their mobile devices. This technology will become increasingly necessary and beneficial as the world population continues to grow and the energy supply continues to shrink, increasing the already significant demands on utilities providers."