STMicroelectronics, an electronics and semiconductor manufacturer, is using its smart-meter ST8500 powerline communication (PLC) chipset to facilitating city and industry infrastructures with the combination of powerline and wireless communication.

Already widely used in smart electricity meters, PLC now enables smart meters to communicate through existing power cables or radio frequency (RF) waves, combining the strengths of both types of connection.

The built-in RF capability allows equipment designers to leverage the ST8500’s  integration in other smart devices such as gas and water smart meters, environmental monitors, lighting controllers, and industrial sensors.

ADD Grup, a European smart-metering solutions company, is the first to announce new hybrid PLC/wireless products that contain this chipset.

STMicroelectronics will exhibit its ST8500 chipset and demonstrate smart-meter, smart-home and -building, and smart-infrastructure customer solutions at European Utility Week in Paris, Nov. 12-14.

Further information on ST8500 can be found at www.st.com.