1. LEVEL 10
369 ROYAL PARADE
PARKVILLE VICTORIA 3052
AUSTRALIA
http://www.semitech.com.au

2. CONTENTS
CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 3
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 4
Semitech PLC ASIC Chip Specifications ............................................................................... 5
THE APPLICATIONS ................................................................................................................ 7
Market overview ..................................................................................................................... 7
AMR/AMI................................................................................................................................ 7
AMR/AMI Reference sites .................................................................................................. 8
Network Management System Software .......................................................................... 10
Home Automation ................................................................................................................ 11
Streetlight Control ................................................................................................................ 12
Traffic Light Control .............................................................................................................. 13
TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP .................................................................................................... 14
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3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Founded in 1997 Semitech Innovations Pty Ltd (Formerly Semiconductor Technologies
Australia Pty Ltd) is a Melbourne-based fabless semiconductor design company. Its current
flagship product is a System On A Chip power line communication device named “SIMAC”.
SIMAC’s technology uses existing power line grid infrastructure to send and receive
data and other control signals. This technology eliminates the need for additional
communications infrastructure by transporting electronic information along power line networks.
The technology has been proven to work reliably on networks that span a wide area. It enables
utility companies to streamline their network management by reducing costs, enhancing
efficiency, reducing emissions and cutting energy consumption. This technology can also be
used for home automation and control, giving consumers real time consumption and usage
data.
Semitech Innovations staff and management possess extensive industry, technical and
commercial experience. The company founder, Mr Stephen M. Kim, has over 30 years of
experience in power generation and utility consulting. He also has extensive semiconductor
industry expertise, including design, manufacture and international sales.
The company specializes in networking, monitoring and control devices. Examples of
such devices include:
 electricity meters
 home automation
 security systems
 factory machine controls
Semitech also has experience creating user friendly databases and management control
software for such devices.
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4. TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
Power line communications (PLC) is a rapidly evolving area that utilizes the existing
electricity wires to transfer information. PLC is categorised into narrowband and broadband
technologies. Broadband PLC provides faster transmission at higher cost. It suits specialist
applications that require higher transmission speed and have fewer requirements on the
accuracy of data. Narrowband PLC utilises lower frequencies and transmits at slower speed. It
is best suited for remote meter reading, electricity system monitoring/control, and home
appliance control due to its higher reliability and lower cost compared with broadband PLC.
All power line communications systems operate by superimposing a modulated carrier
signal onto the existing power line wiring system. Different types of power line communications
use different frequency bands depending on the signal transmission characteristics of the
power wiring used. Since the power wiring system was originally intended for the distribution of
AC power, the power wire circuits have only a limited ability to carry higher frequencies. This
propagation problem is a limiting factor for each type of power line communications. Most
commercial narrowband PLC technologies on the market typically involve one type of
modulation scheme with fixed carrier frequencies and proprietary protocols. Therefore, their
performance and flexibility to integrate with devices from different vendors are limited. The
SIMAC technology addresses this limitation by
SiMAC allows data employing open protocol and adding more functions
to the chip. It is based on a highly integrated SoC
communication over (System on a Chip) ASIC (Application Specific
the existing power Integrated Circuit) chip developed by Semitech
Innovations. It has a number of key competitive
lines. “No new wires” advantages over other commercial PLC products:
 dual modulation schemes and 8 dynamically
are needed. selectable multi-carrier frequencies to provide
best reliability for communication and most
flexibility.
 unique dual channel operation for simultaneously
packet transmission and reception to double the
data throughput.
 The chip is embedded with two 32-bit MCUs and
two 32Kbyte Flash. The first MCU is used for
network protocol processing. It provides an open
protocol platform for seamless integration with
many popular existing narrowband PLC
protocols. The second MCU and 32Kbyte Flash
is used for user application processing, reducing
the overall cost of a system solution.
 The chip also contains an integrated Triple DES
encryption/decryption core which provides much
stronger data security than other commercial
products.
 It utilises a unique power line transceiver with 2
patents (one international, one pending).
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5. Semitech PLC ASIC Chip Specifications
SIMAC
PLC chip part no. SIMAC-6401
Standard EIA709.1, EIA709.2, CENELEC
Power line network LV, MV, DC and twisted pair
Bandwidth 11kHz
Modulations BPSK, FSK
Receiver sensitivity -80dBV
Baud rate 5.4kbps ~ 2.8kbps
Packet size < 255Bytes
Carrier frequencies 131kHz, 113kHz, 104kHz, 94kHz, 86kHz, 79kHz, 73kHz, 67kHz
(dynamically changeable)
MCU Dual 32-bit MCUs for network and application
Flash 2 x 32Kbytes
RAM 12Kbytes
IOs 23 IOs
Security Trip DES encryption/decryption, EIA709.1 authentication
Special features Error correction, phase detection, dual Tx/Rx channels,
LonWorks® and FSK PLT chip interoperable
UNID 48-bit unique ID per chip
Package 64-pin TQFP
Temperature –40ºC to +85ºC
SIMAC
PLC chip part no. SIMAC-1001
Standard EIA709.1, EIA709.2, CENELEC
Power line network LV, MV, DC and twisted pair
Bandwidth 11kHz
Modulations BPSK, FSK
Receiver sensitivity -80dBV
Baud rate 5.4kbps ~ 2.8kbps
Packet size < 255Bytes
Carrier frequencies 131kHz, 113kHz, 104kHz, 94kHz, 86kHz, 79kHz, 73kHz, 67kHz
(dynamically changeable)
MCU Dual 32-bit MCUs for network and application
Flash 2 x 32Kbytes and support up to 128Kbytes external memory
RAM 12Kbytes
IOs 56 IOs including1 SPI, 2 UARTs and external memory bus
Security Trip DES encryption/decryption, EIA709.1 authentication
Special features Error correction, phase detection, dual Tx/Rx channels,
LonWorks® and FSK PLT chip interoperable
UNID 48-bit unique ID per chip
Package 100-pin LQFP
Temperature –40ºC to +85ºC
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6. STALON1
PLC chip part no. STALON-3000A
Standard EIA709.1, EIA709.2, CENELEC
Power line network LV, MV, DC and twisted pair
Bandwidth 11kHz
Modulations BPSK
Receiver sensitivity -80dBV
Baud rate 5.4kbps ~ 2.8kbps
Packet size < 255Bytes
Carrier frequencies 131kHz, 113kHz, 104kHz, 94kHz, 86kHz, 79kHz, 73kHz, 67kHz
(dynamically changeable)
MCU 32-bit MCU shared by network and application
Flash 64Kbytes
RAM 8Kbytes
IOs 40 GPIOs, 1 SPI, 2 UARTs
Security DES encryption/decryption, EIA709.1 authentication
Special features Error correction, LonWorks ® interoperable
UNID 48-bit unique ID per chip
Package 100-pin PQFP
Temperature –40ºC to +85ºC
These advanced features of the SIMAC chip provide the reliability and flexibility to make
it an ideal candidate for many current and future PLC projects around the world.
1
STALON is a previous version of SIMAC chip.
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7. THE APPLICATIONS
Electricity meters
Market overview
embedded with
The SIMAC technology is ideal for a variety of
markets that require monitoring and control of large
SiMAC provides
number of devices. The most important markets include functionality which
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Advanced Metering
Infrastructure (AMI), Home Automation (HA) and Lighting saves money and
control.
energy.
AMR/AMI
When power prices are volatile or supplies are
short, reducing peak loads becomes a top priority for
utility companies. Billing customers for energy based on
the time of day has proven to be a viable means for
reducing peak loads.
In 2007, there were approximately 1.6 billion
electricity meters installed in the world. The annual
demand for new meters is 122 million. About 79% of the
total installed meters are electromechanical and 21% are
solid state. Six major countries account for 54% of the
electricity meters in the world: China, USA & Canada,
India, Japan, Brazil, and Russia2.
In the past few years, most developed countries and many developing countries (e.g.
China and India) have proposed to replace existing meter infrastructure by full AMI capabilities
with two-way communication. This is currently the main driver for the solid state meter market
in Europe and Asia.
The switch to solid state meters takes three forms. First, government mandates for
change as enacted by the governments of India, Iran, Sweden, Netherlands, California in USA,
Victoria in Australia, with more in the pipeline. Secondly, large-scale utility company
deployments such as the Telegastore in Italy and many in the US. And thirdly, smaller ad hoc
deployments often starting with the C&I segment of the meter market and filtering down to
residential meters.
With the reliability and flexibility provided by our SIMAC technology, large scale
AMR/AMI implementation can become a reality. Systems based on SIMAC offer significant
efficiency benefits including:
 lowering energy consumption
 management to reduce peak load
 reduced supplier costs
 less GHG emissions
 more accurate service to the consumers.
2
Source: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reportinfo.asp?report_id=302436&t=t&cat_id=
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8. A typical SIMAC system can collect and manage data from smart meters in real time via
a two way power line communications link, as illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1 AMR/AMI System
The meters can be either smart meters embedded with SIMAC chips or meters
connected to SIMAC PLC modems through RS232 or pulse output. Gas meters and water
meters with pulse output can also be read in this system. The power line network can be either
Low Voltage or Medium Voltage power line network.
AMR/AMI Reference sites
1) Lang Fang Gao Shan MV PLC AMR system: 700 MV PLC nodes were installed in 11
distributions lines network of one 110KV/10KV transformer and two 35KV/10KV
transformers in San He City, Lang Fang, He Bei Province, China. The system was
developed by Lang Fang Gao Shan Electronic Science and Technology Pty. Ltd using
STALON chip. This site has been running reliably for 2 years and has passed user
acceptance testing. The maximum communication distance is 40km with repeaters.
2) SWIP AMR system: 22 single phase meters of Synchrosoft Building in Xi’an, China
have been read using STALON nodes and STALON concentrator since 2005. This
AMR system was developed by SWIP Co., Ltd.
3) BPSK/FSK concentrator: Semitech developed a BPSK/FSK concentrator for a major
European customer. The SIMAC technology used in this concentrator enables it to read
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9. the customer’s existing meters built by different vendors using different devices (PL31x0
and ST7538) and protocols. It helped the customer to overcome the difficulties with
integrating their heterogeneous meter system.
4) Semitech AMI system in Latrobe University: Semitech has replaced 12 three-phase and
18 single-phase mechanical meters in the R&D Building 2, Latrobe University with Atlas
Gemini 3-phase meters with STALON nodes and 18 single phase meters embedded
with SIMAC-6401 chip.
5) Trial sites at sub-metering companies: Semitech is working on two trial sites with two
sub-metering companies to provide AMR service to the customers.
6) Trial site in India: A trial site using more than 200 SIMAC devices has been started
since Q4, 2008 with an Indian utility company.
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10. Network Management System Software
Semitech has developed Network Management System software with web access for
the above demo sites. It can be used alone or integrated to the customer’s existing database.
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11. Home Automation
Home Automation (HA) includes automating various household electrical appliances
such as fridges, washing machines, lights, electric curtains, heaters, air conditioning, etc.
Appliances at commercial premises can also belong to this category. Effective HA systems can
control virtually any electrical device to operate at specific or scheduled time.
The HA market is still at an earlier stage. Many appliance manufactures are yet to
introduce the next stage of automation to enable power management. The size of the market is
about $9.8 billion in 2007, which include integration/installation. The market is projected to
grow to more than $11 billion in 20083.
Many current home automation solutions require new wiring to be laid within the house,
which involves a significant amount of work and cost. SIMAC renders this cost and effort un-
necessary, as it uses the existing electrical wiring. In the electric switch and power point
market, a “SIMAC embedded” point allows smart communication without rewiring a home or
office. SIMAC therefore reduces price/installation barriers demonstrating how SIMAC adds
value/functionality to existing products. Furthermore since energy management is a big driver
in this market, SIMAC AMI systems and SIMAC HA systems can be seamlessly integrated and
mutually enhance.
A typical SIMAC HA system is illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 2 SIMAC Home Automation System
3
Source: http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Automation/General/W3G7L2H2
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12. Streetlight Control
SIMAC technology can be used in the remote control and monitoring of street lights.
There are approximately 500 million street lights in the world. The issues of maintenance,
monitoring, and efficiency of these lights are becoming more pronounced as energy becomes
more expensive. Many planning authorities are requiring new developments to use smart light
systems. The SIMAC chip is ideal for use in smart lights with potential benefits of:
 Increased electrical safety through ground
fault monitoring
 Minimizing light pollution by adjusting the
lighting power according to the traffic load
 Increased energy savings through
sophisticated multi-parameter control
 Reduced maintenance costs by giving better
information to contractors
 Increased security with better control.
A SIMAC enabled streetlight system can
respond to schedules set for any time of the night
which is a clear advantage over photocell controlled
streetlights. The SIMAC streetlight control system
also cost less than other wireless based streetlight
control systems, as it uses the exiting infrastructure
to communicate between their control modules
retrofitted in the poles of the streetlights and a
concentrator, typically located in the local
transformer station.
One unique advantage of SIMAC technology over other control network technologies for
street lighting applications is its routing capability that allows the communication between each
module.
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13. Traffic Light Control
Traffic light control is another huge market for SIMAC technology. Traffic has become
ever more important given the high energy prices, growing population, and the development of
two most populous countries – China and India. Growing number of road users and limited
resources provided by current infrastructures lead to ever increasing travel time. Traffic in a
city is very much affected by traffic light controllers. When waiting for a traffic light, the driver
looses time and the car uses fuel. Hence smart traffic lights management can save our society
billions of dollars annually and decrease energy
consumption. To make traffic light controllers more
intelligent, novel technologies such as
communication networks and sensor networks, as
well as the use of more sophisticated algorithms for
setting traffic lights are needed.
The SIMAC technology provides a very cost
effective communication channel to the traffic light
control systems to send/receive data to/from remote
locations and allows problems to be seen, analysed
and addressed rapidly.
In summary, the SIMAC technology has very
promising applications in many markets. It has the
potential to modernise many existing power related
infrastructure systems to achieve a much higher
level of efficiency and automation. It has been
chosen for use in several projects in Europe and
Asia.
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14. TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP
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