Renesas Adds New Power Line Communication Modem IC Enabling High-Speed, Long Distance Communication, Expanding Practical PLC Applications

Rhea-AI Summary

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) has launched the R9A06G061 power line communication (PLC) modem IC, enabling high-speed communication at 1 Mbps over distances greater than 1 kilometer without relays. This innovation optimizes system design by reducing external components, suitable for HVAC, lighting, and solar power applications. Evaluation kits for AC and DC power lines are also available for developers to streamline product development. The new IC supports peer-to-peer network configurations and doubles device connectivity, enhancing noise tolerance for diverse environments.

Positive

• Launch of R9A06G061 PLC modem IC enabling communication up to 1 Mbps over long distances.
• Reduction in external components required leads to cost-effective and compact system designs.
• Suitable for various applications, including HVAC, lighting, and solar power systems.
• Evaluation kits for AC and DC power lines available to assist developers in product development.
• Enhanced device connectivity capacity with improved noise tolerance.

Negative

• None.

Evaluation Kits and Tools for AC and DC Power Lines Let Developers to Immediately Evaluate Applications Supporting High-Speed Communication at Up to 1 Mbps

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced the R9A06G061 power line communication (PLC) modem IC. The R9A06G061 delivers high-speed communication at up to 1 Mbps over long distances of a kilometer or more, without the need for relays, expanding the range of practical applications for PLC. Optimized analog peripheral functions reduce the number of external components required, allowing for less expensive and more compact systems. With this combination, the new R9A06G061 is ideally suited for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control, lighting system control in office buildings, and string monitoring and power conditioner control in solar power systems. Since it does not require the installation of dedicated cables, the R9A06G061 can enable low-cost system monitoring in applications such as monitoring of cellular antennas or motors in submersible pumps.

(Graphic: Business Wire)

While Renesas’s current R9A06G037 PLC modem IC supports the G3-PLC, PRIME and Meters and More standards and can be used to implement large-scale multi-hop networks with a mesh topology, the new R9A06G061 is designed specifically for configuring simple peer-to-peer (P2P) networks with a bus or star topology. Improved transmission drive capability enables designers to increase the number of devices that can be connected twofold to more than 200 without the use of additional line drivers. In addition, the IC’s superior noise tolerance makes it suitable for a wide range of applications and environments.

“The cost and extended construction time associated with the installation of dedicated signal lines as well as the maintenance cost of additional devices are key issues for building and infrastructure device management,” said Toshihide Tsuboi, Vice President, Industrial Automation Business Division at Renesas. “PLC is an outstanding solution that overcomes these issues, and I am confident that our new product, designed specifically for P2P networks, will further broaden the scope of practical applications for PLC.”

Development Environment

Renesas also released evaluation kits for AC and DC power lines, respectively. These evaluation kits, along with tools for evaluating communication performance that run on a PC, support communication characteristics evaluation, error analysis, and troubleshooting. Renesas provides both the evaluation software and a variety of documentation to enable developers to immediately begin development and debugging. Design data for the hardware of the evaluation kits is available upon request in order to support more rapid product development.

Winning Combinations

Renesas has combined the R9A06G061 with complementary analog and power offerings that work together seamlessly to create Winning Combinations for a variety of applications. An example of one of these Winning Combinations includes Hi-Speed and Long-Distance Power Line Communication Unit for AC line / DC Line that also combines AC/DC and DC/DC converters. Renesas offers more than 250 Winning Combinations with compatible devices for a wide range of applications and end products. They can be found at renesas.com/win.

Availability

The R9A06G061 ICs and evaluation kits are available now. More details can be found at www.renesas.com/R9A06G061.

About Renesas Electronics Corporation

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) delivers trusted embedded design innovation with complete semiconductor solutions that enable billions of connected, intelligent devices to enhance the way people work and live. A global leader in microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC products, Renesas provides comprehensive solutions for a broad range of automotive, industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT applications that help shape a limitless future. Learn more at renesas.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and Instagram.

(Remarks). All names of products or services mentioned in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211130005373/en/

Media Contact:

Americas

Don Parkman

Renesas Electronics Corporation

+1-408-887-4308

don.parkman.xh@renesas.com

Source: Renesas Electronics Corporation

FAQ

What is the new product launched by Renesas Electronics Corporation?

Renesas has launched the R9A06G061 power line communication (PLC) modem IC.

What are the capabilities of the R9A06G061 PLC modem IC?

It enables high-speed communication at 1 Mbps over distances of up to 1 kilometer without relays.

What applications is the R9A06G061 PLC modem IC suitable for?

It is suitable for HVAC control, lighting systems, and solar power system monitoring.

Are evaluation kits available for the new PLC modem IC?

Yes, Renesas has released evaluation kits for both AC and DC power lines.

What advantage does the R9A06G061 have in terms of device connectivity?

It can connect over 200 devices without additional line drivers, enhancing its capabilities.