Phoenix Systems collaborates with Freescale

2015-01-12


Phoenix Systems, a leading provider of embedded software, in collaboration with Freescale® Semiconductor has developed a pure software implementation of the PRIME PLC communication protocol for Freescale’s Kinetis® family of microcontrollers.
Phoenix Systems announces that this successful collaboration has reached a major milestone, by completing certification in the PRIME Alliance approved Smart Grid laboratory. The unique pure software approach of this solution, with no dedicated DSPs, opens new opportunities in a price sensitive Smart Grid market.

PRIME is the most commonly deployed OFDM based Power Line Communication protocol today with millions of meters deployed. Operators from multiple countries have already chosen the PRIME standard (Spain, Poland, Portugal, Lebanon, UK) and many more are preparing PRIME rollouts (Australia, India, Argentina, Brazil).
Phoenix-PRIME is an implementation of 1.3.6 PRIME standard version optimized for Freescale Kinetis K21 MCU (ARM® Cortex™-M4 120MHz, 512KB FLASH, 128kB RAM) connected to AC power line by a coupling system. Reference design in the form of Phoenix-PRIME Board with a set of software tools for easy integration into the target PRIME PLC solution is currently available. Phoenix-PRIME will be offered to the manufacturers of the Smart Grid devices interested in software-based solution.

“The strategic collaboration between Freescale and Phoenix Systems resulted in successful implementation of the Phoenix-PRIME software stack on the Freescale Kinetis microcontroller, opening the way for building new software-based Smart Meter products offering end users all the benefits of the energy usage optimization for a very competitive price” - said Pawel Pisarczyk, the CEO of Phoenix Systems.
“Phoenix Systems’ expertise in SW development targeting PLC communication is world class,” said Jean Marc Darchy, EMEA Smart Energy Marketing for Freescale Semiconductor. “Phoenix Systems’ successful certification underscores its sharp embedded software acumen, while serving as the first optimized implantation on completely standard Kinetis MCUs.”

Press contact