Australian semiconductor provider Semitech Semiconductor’s SM2400 PLC+RF reference design module has been certified by the G3-Alliance.
With this, the performance of the platform and its conformance to G3-Alliance hybrid specifications is validated and interoperability assured when using the solution in G3-hybrid networks.
The SM2400 PLC+RF reference design module is a complete board that implements a full powerline communication interface and as well as an integrated radio for short range, modest bandwidth communication.
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The module can be used as a bridge between RF and PLC or simultaneously connect to both networks.
Such hybrid offerings are aimed to offer an efficient and cost-effective solution for smart grid, smart city, industry and other IoT applications in which meters, data concentrators and other devices need to communicate reliably to meet performance levels and are interoperable with each other.
“Hybrid PLC/RF networks deliver high reliability and scalability, while adding flexibility and increasing data capacity and speed,” said Semitech CEO Zeev Collin.
“Customers want to use certified platforms as a stamp of quality approval and to ensure interoperability with other products sharing the same networks.”
The G3-Alliance is a consortium with responsibility for 2011 to standardize and promote G3-technologies globally.
The G3-PLC Hybrid is the first industry hybrid standard offering extended capabilities through one seamlessly managed network over both wired and wireless media. As such it opens up new cases such as communication with water and gas smart meters, in-home displays and lighting controllers among other technologies.
Subsequently, the solution has been extended to include the ARIB bandplan for Japan to enable implementation in that market.
