STMicroelectronics powerline communication development toolset

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A plug-and-play powerline communication (PLC) development toolset from STMicroelectronics is designed to accelerate the development of turnkey powerline networks by providing all the hardware and software components needed to build and run a PLC application. The development toolset lets developers connect smart devices using the ST8500/STLD1 chipset, suitable for use in utility-class smart-meter projects, on ST’s EVALKITST8500-1 evaluation kit for the ST8500 PLC modem system-on-chip and STLD1 dual line driver.

The set of hardware, software and documentation tools includes the certified protocol stacks for G3-PLC communication in all frequency bands up to 500 kHz (CENELEC-A, CENELEC-B and FCC bands certified), a 6LowPAN adaptation layer for IPv6 that enables scalable networking, and single-modem protocol engine and real-time engine firmware images for both PAN coordinator and device nodes. Support for self-adaptive and mesh networking is also provided, allowing use in electrically noisy environments, as well as a state-of-the-art AES cryptography engine with up to a 256-bit key to enhance cybersecurity.

In addition, the toolset provides an open-source firmware framework based on the STM32 general-purpose companion microcontroller for the chipset, ready for users to create and integrate their application firmware.

In particular, the STM32 application example includes remote control of indicator LEDs, RTC (real-time clock) configuration, and ping and string data transfers between nodes. The application firmware example implements a UDP/IPv6 protocol on top of the 6LowPAN adaptation layer of the G3-PLC communication layers running on the ST8500.

By also including ST’s STSW-SGKITGUI SmartGrid LabTool, a PC-based GUI, the toolset lets users easily configure and control the EVALKITST8500-1 hardware, run application commands and apply firmware upgrades. Supporting documentation is also provided, including the STM32 Firmware User Manual and G3-PLC Host Interface Driver application note.

Using the toolset, developers can realise innovative and futureproof products and services particularly suitable for smart home, smart building, smart city, smart infrastructure and smart energy applications. The ST8500/STLD1 chipset has been chosen by major smart grid and IoT corporations for its combination of hardware capabilities, high compute performance, low power consumption, integrated peripherals and futureproof product support.

For more information: www.st.com/evalkit8500-pr.