Müller-electronic and the FG28 Bring Simplicity and Performance to Next-Generation Smart Water Meters
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Adapting to the Ever-Changing Needs of Accurate Smart Water Metering
Müller-electronic is a leading designer and manufacturer of smart metering devices, including a broad range of smart metering solutions. The company is also a long-time Silicon Labs customer, having based several of its previous devices on the Si446x EZRadioPRO® Transceivers. But for the next evolution in its smart water meter offering, Müller-electronic required more flexibility and higher performance, so they turned to a partner who has proven reliable through the test of time -- Silicon Labs.
To accomplish this feat, system integration became key, so both development teams prioritized more GPIO options, an LCD controller, and a simplified single-chip form factor. Along with a more manufacturing-friendly form factor and better performance, power management was emphasized. An SoC-based design would help address both problems – an integrated device would reduce the number of devices required, and the architecture would allow for lower power consumption - up to 7 years on a 1200 mAh battery.
Familiarity with the Silicon Labs development platform, particularly Simplicity Studio, significantly expedited the firmware development process, while existing libraries and the well-known toolchain facilitated a smooth transition. While new options such as RAIL required some initial learning, the overall development speed benefited from the accumulated knowledge of previous generations. The inclusion of the secure engine further simplified future usage and migration, enhancing the security of the devices.
The Challenge
When Müller-electronic set out to move from a multi-chip design to an SoC-based design for its next-generation wireless water meters, it turned to long-time supplier Silicon Labs to address its need for GPIO flexibility, bill of materials (BOM) simplification, and additional energy savings.
The Solution
Silicon Labs’ FG28 dual-band sub-GHz Bluetooth LE SoC offers maximum flexibility, performance, and power efficiency, enabling Müller-electronic to hit its aggressive current consumption goals and extend battery life.
The Result
Müller-electronic’s switch to an SoC significantly reduced the BOM, cutting component count by about 12 parts. This simplification lowered sourcing needs and saved roughly 30 euro cents per unit, crucial for high-volume, low-cost products.
Reaching Aggressive Consumption Goals on Extended Battery Life with FG28 SoC
Since Müller-electronic’s Metering Products called for a versatile platform for future development and the ability to scale as demand increases without dramatically increasing costs, Silicon Labs’ EFR32FG28 (FG28) portfolio became a no-brainer.
The FG28 SoC is an ideal dual-band sub-GHz + 2.4 GHz Bluetooth LE SoC solution for IoT applications in smart homes, security, lighting, building automation, and metering. This dual-band solution combines a high-performance Sub-GHz radio that provides long-range capabilities and a Bluetooth radio for increased design flexibility.
The large memory footprint and increased I/O count allow for design consolidation, and Secure Vault™ gives the flexibility to choose the security level that meets and exceeds these products' needs. Developers also benefit from the additional memory available on the FG28 through simplified code development, and testing becomes easier without extensive optimization.
The Results are In: Increased Memory at Lower Cost
Müller-electronic’s transition to an SoC-based design ultimately led to a considerable reduction in the bill of materials (BOM) -- compared to an older two-chip solution, the FG28-based design reduced the number of required components by approximately 12 parts through the decreased usage of block capacitors. This not only simplified sourcing but also reduced costs, saving about 30-euro cents per unit – impactful figures for a high-volume, low-cost product.
However, the greatest impact came from the increased memory available on FG28. It allowed for the inclusion of complex and extensive test units within the software without the need for optimizing compiler switches. This then avoided unexpected behaviors in low-power algorithms, accelerating development and testing by about 20% and eliminating the need to exclude system software parts to make room for test functions.
It’s safe to say that the well-established relationship between Müller-electronic and Silicon Labs has been fruitful and will just continue to get stronger. Müller-electronic’s most recent work with the FG28 SoC has resulted in a next-generation wireless water meter with improved system integration, reduced BOM, and extended battery life, proving – once again -- how innovative SoC solutions can drive advancements in smart metering technology and pave the way for future developments in the IoT industry.