A hybrid gateway with G.hn backhaul has been unveiled by MaxLinear and Microchip Technology for versatile smart-grid use cases.

This means electric utilities can provide real-time data on energy power consumption with the hybrid gateways integrating G.hn powerline (PLC) technology as broadband backhaul for a complete range of proven technologies.

This proof of concept (PoC) has been jointly developed by HomeGrid Forum member MaxLinear, a provider of multi-gigabit connectivity, and Microchip Technology, a provider of smart, connected and secure embedded controllers. Both have compiled an integrated hybrid with several transceivers, able to support three major use cases of smart-grid deployments:

• Backhaul G.hn PLC broadband plus fronthaul Prime/G3 PLC-narrowband
• Backhaul G.hn PLC broadband plus fronthaul Prime/G3 hybrid PLC-narrowband and RF
• Backhaul G.hn PLC broadband plus fronthaul Zigbee

This initiative comes as part of the continuous drive by the HomeGrid Forum ecosystem to develop G.hn-based infrastructure for the future of smart grids and smart cities.

“Since G.hn has been recognised by the smart-grid industry as one of the most robust and future-proof technologies, our members have joined their research and development forces to launch innovations designed to accelerate smart grid infrastructure deployments,” said HomeGrid Forum president Livia Rosu. “The hybrid gateway PoC highlights the versatile networking capabilities of G.hn technology for supporting an extended coverage and capitalising on previously installed smart meters nodes.”

Len Dauphinee, CTO of broadband products at MaxLinear, added: “The hybrid capitalises on both wired and wireless technologies for offering leading-edge connectivity to electric utilities driving the energy transition coupled with the digitalisation. This level of innovation comes to ensure the robustness and reliability of the smart grid. We are thrilled to support electric utilities capitalising on their previous investment and technologies by providing the ultimate bridge to broadband backhaul.”

And Rod Drake, vice president at Microchip, added: “The PoC platform provides multiple transceivers including Prime narrowband, G3-PLC narrowband, RF interface, Zigbee and G.hn PLC broadband backhaul to ensure a fast, real-time communication between the smart meters and the central office of the electric utilities. The modular design of the hybrid gateway offers resourceful interfaces for all network segments as needed.”

The gateway is backwards compatible with G.hn-only, Prime-only, G3-PLC-only, Zigbee-only and RF-only devices of the electrical grid, offering extended network coverage for already deployed infrastructure that needs an accelerated network upgrade.

HomeGrid Forum is an industry alliance that brings together technology innovators, silicon vendors, system manufacturers and service providers to promote the G.hn gigabit home networking technology based on ITU-T standards. It provides G.hn silicon and system certification through a compliance and interoperability testing programme.

MaxLinear provides RF, analogue, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits for access and connectivity, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multimarket applications. It is headquartered in Carlsbad, California.

Microchip Technology provides smart, connected and secure embedded control. Its easy-to-use development tools and product portfolio let users create designs that reduce risk while lowering cost and time to market. The company serves more than 120,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace, defence, communications and computing markets. It is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.