San Jose, California, January 16, 2013 — Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) announced the release of the 78M6610+PSU/78M6610+LMU single-phase energy measurement processors. These processor products provide a single-chip energy measurement subsystem. By utilizing these processors, power company-grade detection and diagnostic capabilities can be conveniently added to existing designs without the need for a power meter system-on-chip. These products include proprietary firmware to meet the requirements of end applications.

The 78M6610+PSU is designed for real-time monitoring of data centers, servers, telecommunications, and data equipment, while the 78M6610+LMU is a more general-purpose solution suitable for applications such as home appliances, smart plugs, EV chargers, and solar inverters.

The 78M6610 processor provides energy measurement capabilities, which can lower manufacturing costs and shorten time-to-market. Previously, energy measurement solutions required the use of additional microcontrollers, significantly increasing design costs and necessitating several months of additional development time. With the 78M6610, comprehensive energy meters can be conveniently added to existing designs without increasing costs or modifying the design. In addition, the flexible measurement and host interfaces of this processor enable convenient integration into any system.

Key Features of the Product
• High Performance: Power company-grade detection possible across the entire dynamic range, including load current and power-down mode
• Bill of Materials (BOM) cost reduction: Integrating an internal RC oscillator and a low-baud rate serial interface eliminates the need for expensive and sensitive crystal oscillators.
• Design simplification: Design work is significantly simplified as it includes firmware suitable for the end application.

Industry evaluation
“Efficient smart grids require energy measurements at various endpoints, not just conventional power meters. The 78M6610+PSU/78M6610+LMU enables measurements at these various points with power company-grade accuracy, provides application-specific firmware, and helps lower system costs,” said Kris Ardis, Director of Smart Grid Products at Maxim Integrated.
Christine Hertzog, Managing Director of the Smart Grid Library, stated, “In smart grids, embedded technologies such as processors can reduce BOM costs and facilitate the adoption of energy measurement intelligence across the entire electricity value chain.”

supply
• The 78M6610+PSU is available in 24-pin QFN and 16-pin TSSOP packages.
• The 78M6610+LMU is available in a 24-pin QFN package.