STMicroelectronics Simplifies Emerging Energy Metering Applications with Smart Power Technology

Programmable chip takes electricity metering into the 21st century

Geneva / 20 Jun 2005

Geneva, June 20, 2005 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) has announced the availability of a new device that incorporates all of the core circuitry required to implement fully electronic electricity meters. The STPM01addresses a wide range of electricity metering requirements, operating as a stand-alone power meter in the simplest low-end equipment or as a peripheral in sophisticated microprocessor-based meters that support functions such as remote metering, reactive power measurement, multiple tariffs and tamper detection.

Electric utility companies around the world are increasingly looking to replace the traditional electromechanical meter, which has remained essentially unchanged for over a century, by electronic meters. Among the many advantages of electronic meters are increased accuracy, reliability and robustness, easy calibration and reconfiguration, and the ability to incorporate advanced functions such as multi-tariff billing, tamper proofing, pre-payment, power outage detection, power factor measurement and automated meter reading services.

Jointly developed by ST and ISKRAEMECO, one of the world’s largest meter manufacturers, the STPM01 is a standard device modified from an ASIC solution built for ISKRAEMECO using ST’s advanced BCD6 smart power technology, allowing all of the necessary analog, digital and power circuits to be integrated on a single chip. The major blocks include analog signal conditioning, two Analog-to-Digital Converters, a hardwired dedicated Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an SPI interface to an external MCU, a block of 56 OTP (One Time Programmable) bits for calibration and configuration, a Voltage-to-Frequency converter to drive a stepper motor display in low-end applications, and two current-limited, low-drop voltage regulators to supply the analog (3V) and digital (1.5) circuitry.

The flexible and configurable analog front-end allows the device to work with a variety of current sensors, including current transformers, microOhm shunts and Rogowski coils. The dedicated DSP performs real-time calculations of active, reactive and apparent power, RMS voltage and current, and line frequency, using innovative algorithms for which ISKRAEMECO has filed patent applications.

The SPI interface is used to control, configure and calibrate the device using the OTP block and to transmit the digital output data to an external MCU, which handles data collection and management in high-end applications. In addition, the computed power values are also converted internally into pulses to directly drive stepper motor displays in the most cost-sensitive low-end applications.

The OTP block, which is accessible via a simple PC interface and software, allows fast and accurate calibration of the voltage and current sensors, phase correction and temperature drift. Additional features of the STPM01 include Live and Neutral wire current monitoring for tamper detection in secure energy meters; LED drivers to indicate power, tamper detection and no-load conditions; and a zero-crossing signal that can be used to avoid arcing when switching heavy inductive loads in industrial control applications.

The STPM01 offers high performance in terms of accuracy, allowing full compliance with the IEC62052-11 and IEC62053-2X specifications for single-phase class 0.5 wattmeters, while a Synchronisation pin also supports three-phase metering applications. The device operates over a wide range of mains voltage (40-300VRMS) and line frequency (45-65Hz), and can measure up to 200ARMS. In addition to the lower component cost due to the high level of integration, the STPM01 also reduces hidden manufacturing costs associated with calibration, thanks to the fast, tamper-proof OTP block.

The STPM01 is supported by two demo boards/reference designs: a Measurement Board that allows the STPM01to operate as a stand-alone solution for stepper driving, and a Control Board equipped with an ST7 MCU, LCD display and RTC that connects to the Measurement Board via the SPI to provide a complete solution for medium/high-end applications.

The STPM01 is priced at approximately US$2.00 in quantities of 1000 pieces.

Further information on ST’s range of interface and metering IC is available at www.st.com/interface and http://www.st.com/metering

About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2004, the Company’s net revenues were $8.76 billion and net earnings were $601 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

Notes for Editors
• A Rogowski coil is a toroidal coil placed around a current-carrying conducting cable. The output of the coil is a voltage proportional to the rate of change of current carried by the cable. An electronic integration circuit converts this to a voltage that is directly proportional to the current. The measurement is accurate over a wide range of mains frequencies, current levels, conductor sizes and transients.

• Complemented by a rich portfolio of microcontrollers (from the 8-bit ST7 to the 32-bit STR7 families) and Programmable System Devices, EEPROM and Flash memories, Real-Time Clocks, supervisor/reset circuits, smart card/RFID products, Power Line modems and smart PSU chips and a dedicated Competence Centre, the STPM01 extends ST’s unique ability to offer complete system solutions for the full spectrum of emerging metering applications.