Maxim unveils first highly integrated smart meter power regulator

The MAX17497 is a one chip solution designed for the power requirements on the communications and metrology boards in smart meters. Typical solutions integrate only the flyback controller and high voltage FETs, which can be expensive and requires the addition of external regulators and discrete devices to complete the application. According to Maxim, the high integration of the MAX17497 device is 'unprecedented' and supports the power supply requirements for both the smart meter's communications board and the metrology board. The device integrates the control circuitry required for the universal input (85 to 265V) non isolated flyback power supplies. It adds a secondary side synchronous buck regulator with integrated mosfets. According to Maxim, all the integrated functions support the supplies for a powerline communication driver or rf transceiver, the plc/rf modem (2.5/3.3V), a circuit breaker relay and the tightly regulated supplies for the sensitive metrology and application SoCs. The device is configurable for a smart meter's power supply, regardless of the communication scheme. The flyback regulator operates at 250/500kHz and is said to avoid the frequencies used in smart meter communications. This, says Maxim, mitigates frequency interference and delivers robust performance, while the high flyback regulator and secondary buck regulator frequency allows for optimisation of the magnetic and filter components in the smart meter.