Texas Instruments’ new PLC Development Kit (TMDSPLCKIT-V2) provides everything developers need to network systems and implement monitoring capabilities and other new services that reduce device maintenance cost while increasing system reliability to create greener, more efficient products for Smart Grid applications ranging from smart electrical meters to intelligently controlled industrial applications, including lighting, solar, home automation, building control, plug-in electrical vehicle and energy-managed appliances.  Based on the industry's only PLC modem solution capable of supporting multiple modulation and protocol standards on a single hardware platform, the new kit enables developers to to quickly evaluate the suitability of using PLC-based communications and then jumpstart development .

TI's PLC modem is a modular, fully programmable solution comprised of separate microcontroller (MCU) and analog front end (AFE) modules and a complete software framework designed for flexibility and adaptation to various application and regional requirements.  The MCU module is based on TI's real-time control C2000™ architecture and interfaces seamlessly with the AFE and application processors to which the PLC modem communicates.  The AFE module is self-contained and fully isolated, reducing design cycle time, lowering power consumption and reducing system cost.  TI also offers its comprehensive plcSUITE, a modular software framework separating modulation, protocol and application development to extend the maximum flexibility to developers in testing and designing with PLC modems.  With its flexible PLC modem solution capable of supporting multiple standards and modulation schemes, TI is the only company able to deliver all of the key components required for today's advanced Smart Grid applications.  

TI says that their PLC Development Kit (TMDSPLCKIT-V2) offers many important features including:

• Two robust narrowband PLC modems for communications over low-voltage/medium-voltage power lines with scalable data rate up to 128 kbps (single phase)
• A flexible architecture and software framework that supports all major PLC standards – including S-FSK (IEC61334), PRIME, and G3
• TI’s customizable Low Frequency Narrowband OFDM library FlexOFDM™ gives the platform the ability to track standards as they continue to evolve as well as develop custom PLC formats.
• An integrated AFE that supports all low frequency narrowband modulation standards while offering multiple operating modes for power optimization, excellent thermal performance, and lower system component count and cost
• Turnkey evaluation and production software through the royalty-free plcSUITE modular software framework that simplifies development and enables developers to easily adapt products to specific protocol, application, and regional requirements
• A fully programmable OFDM-based system allowing environmental tuning for robustness and reliability of communication performance
• A GUI-based control for quick visualization of key PLC modem parameters

For more information, please visit www.ti.com/plc-pr.

Pricing and availability

The TI PLC Development Kit (TMDSPLCKIT-V2) is priced at $599 US and can be ordered at www.ti.com/plc-pr-es.