數據集中器將AFE，MCU和無線電智能電網效率的關鍵

　　數據集中器提供通信關鍵自動計量和信息在智能電網架構系統。數據集中器通常位于電網中的變壓器或變電站級，數據集的完整性和安全性保證了智能電表的能量測量信息和電力應用的分析信息。通常，這些系統使用先進的基于MCU的設計，依賴于電力線通信（PLC）在最后一英里的用戶儀表和能源管理系統。為了滿足廣泛的這些設備的要求，工程師可以設計復雜的基于PLC的數據集中器采用AFE集成電路和MCU廠商，包括飛思卡爾半導體、集成、意法半導體、德克薩斯文書，其中。

　　數據集中器充當公用事業控制的智能電網分銷網絡和終端用戶之間的接口，管理特定地理區域內公用事業和多個智能電表之間的數據交換（圖1）。在自動計量基礎設施（AMI）和自動抄表（AMR）系統、數據集中器–也稱為數據聚合–提供所需的測量、分析的核心功能，并收集能源使用。然后他們將這些數據傳送到中央數據庫進行計費、故障排除和分析。

　　Figure 1： An Automated Metering and Information System comprises multiple levels of data management and communications， starting with hardware data concentrators that provide data acquisition， processing， and security between the utility and end-user energy systems including smart meters. （Courtesy of Siemens.）

　　Data concentrators enable utilities to use information from smart meters to gain a better understanding of grid status， including immediate knowledge of outages. With this detailed information about the power distribution grid， power companies can evaluate overloads and unbalances in the grid， as well as more effectively detect faults. This information also allows utilities to evaluate more static losses in the grid by comparing measured power at higher levels of the grid with that measured by smart meters at the periphery of the grid. Ultimately， the combination of detailed smart meter power measurements and upstream monitoring and analysis will provide utility customers with better knowledge of their consumption and power saving opportunities， and inform them about network situation disturbances.