Microchip ties up with Kalki for DLMS stack

BANGALORE, INDIA: Microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions provider Microchip Technology Inc., recently announced its partnership with Kalki Technologies to offer a Device Language Message Specification (DLMS) protocol stack that is optimised for 16-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs).

The DLMS protocol has become the worldwide standard of choice among smart meter designers for interoperability among metering systems, including most energy types (electricity, gas, heat and water), multiple applications, and numerous communication media as well as secure data access, via AES 128 encryption, said a press release.

The software stack has been tested and verified by the DLMS User Association, and was customised to operate on all Microchip 16-bit PIC microcontrollers and dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs), thereby making the DLMS certification process faster and easier, the release added.

In addition, the stack is said to be developed to ensure seamless integration with Microchip's communication protocol stacks, including TCP/IP, ZigBee and PLC, covering a broad spectrum of smart energy applications.

The new DLMS stack has been optimised to fit in a small memory footprint, enabling the use of the smallest, most cost-effective MCUs.

According to the release, the stack would provide support for the required IEC 62056-21 Mode E implementation for European applications,.

"The addition of this DLMS library to Microchip's smart energy offerings reinforces our continued focus on providing cost-effective and comprehensive solutions to our customers," said Mitch Obolsky, vice-president of Microchip's Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division.

He added that customers could leverage Microchip's vast portfolio of communication protocol solutions, such as TCP/IP, ZigBee and PLC, to create a fully integrated smart energy system.