Renesas has developed a smart metering version of its RUN_M powerline communications (PLC) network layer.
The firm's powerline design comprises a physical layer based on DCSK modulation, a data link layer and RUN-M (Renesas Ubiquitous Network layer for Metering).
RUN-M provides plug-and-play network set-up, self healing, repeating mechanisms to pass messages through the network, and a mechanism to minimise un-necessary network traffic.
The updated version, RUN-M2.1, offers features for smart metering customers. "Line quality information is provided to the application to allow network statistics to be intelligently used for communication path analysis and management," said Renesas.
"Cross network communication enables communication between different logical networks allowing comfortable access of handheld units to meters or nodes within range, for manual read out, control and simplified load balancing management through communication between concentrators."
There is also impostor detection that prevents the network from sharing information with intruders, and helps avoid the use of the same ID numbers within range.
Adjustable gain control allows a more energy efficient communication.