Collaboration with WEPTECH and STMicroelectronics results in Maia, a Sub-GHz RF-Module for Wireless M-BUS and OMS applications

Mar 4, 2015

Munich/Poing - EBV Elektronik, an Avnet company (NYSE: AVT) and WEPTECH elektronik worked closely with STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, to develop a flexible sub-GHz RF module that streamlines certification of wireless M-BUS and OMS metering systems. The module, called MAIA within the EBVchips program, addresses different metering applications, including automatic meter reading (AMR), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), gas and water meters, and electricity meters, as well as heat meters or readers and concentrators.

The RF module, which will be released in a compact form factor (15mm x 14mm) suitable for SMT assembly, features an STM32L0 ultra-low-power microcontroller, a low-power SPIRIT1 sub-GHz transceiver, and BALF-SPI-01D3 Balun. In addition, the module incorporates the wireless M-Bus and OMS-layer to OMS 3.X and OMS 4.X specifications and supports connection to an external antenna. The module will be pre-certified and CE conforming.

"The module provides easy and quick integration of an OMS interface in meter or smart meter gateways, enabling - in fact, encouraging - fast time-to-market with the OMS interface," said Wolfgang Esch, WEPTECH elektronik and member of the board of the OMS group.

"With very tight performance and power budgets, WEPTECH electronic and EBV Elektronik made good choices in our ultra-low-power microcontroller STM32L0 and our low-power sub-GHz transceiver for the module, as it offers the best solution for a wide range of metering applications in EMEA," said Dr. Bernhard Rauscher, Vice President Applications, EMEA Region, STMicroelectronics.

Dr. Eckart Voskamp, Director EBVchips Program EBV Elektronik concluded: "With our second device for the smart metering market within the EBVchips program we are addressing the growing market demand within the IoT application space. This device combines the best in class hardware solution with the leading and industry proven software stacks."

Key Features

  • Small size 15 mm x 14 mm for SMT assembly
  • 1.8 - 3.8 V supply voltage, ultra low power modes
  • low power down to 0.27uA
  • completely shielded
  • output power : +12 dBm
  • Conforms to EU R&TTE directive
  • Wireless M-Bus EN13757-4:2013 and OMS stack with application examples supporting different meter specifications
  • Users application space for customer application

Application Examples

  • Wireless M-Bus
  • Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)
  • Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
  • Gas and Water meters
  • Electricity meters
  • Heat meters, Heat cost allocators
  • Readers and concentrators


About WEPTECH elektronik
Since 1994 WEPTECH elektronik GmbH is well known for the development, manufacturing and testing of high-quality electronics. After growing constantly, WEPTECH now offers a manufacturing area of 3500 square meters in the middle of Landau, Germany. Currently the fields of radio technology, Smart Metering and the development of own products (OMS temperature sensor, RS485 modem, radio modules) are expanded more and more. The development of customized assemblies and products will continue to play an increasing role. With the help of the knowledge and expertise of WEPTECHs in-house development department they can offer an advantage by checking the design for manufacturability and for testability already at the beginning of each product life cycle. Based on these results WEPTECH can develop products whose production is time-saving and cost-effective. Further information on WEPTECH can be found at www.weptech.de.

About EBV Elektronik
EBV Elektronik, an Avnet (NYSE:AVT) company, was founded in 1969 and is the leading specialist in European semiconductor distribution. EBV maintains its successful strategy of personal commitment to customers and excellent services. 230 Technical Sales Specialists provide a strong focus on a selected group of long-term manufacturing partners. 110 continuously trained Application Specialists offer extensive application know-how and design expertise. With the EBVchips Program, EBV, together with its customers, defines and develops new semiconductor products.  Targeted customers in selected growth markets will be supported by the Vertical Sales Segments. Warehouse operations, complete logistics solutions and value-added services such as programming, taping & reeling and laser marking are fulfilled by Avnet Logistics, EBV's logistical backbone and Europe's largest service centre. EBV operates from 61 offices in 28 countries throughout EMEA (Europe - Middle East - Africa). For more information about EBV Elektronik, please visit www.ebv.com.

For further information, please contact
EBV Elektronik
Bernd Schlemmer
Vice President Communications
bernd.schlemmer@ebv.com

WEPTECH
Sarah Nett
Marketing / Sales
+49-6341-9255-520
sarah.nett@weptech.de

Anja Woithe
Senior PR Manager - Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA
Im Technologiepark 2-8, D-85586 Poing
T:+49 (0) 8121 774 459
F:+49 (0) 8121 774 98 439
E: anja.woithe@avnet.eu

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