NORWOOD, MA, Feb 26, 2009 - Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) has acquired power-line communications technology to add to its market-leading portfolio of products for energy-metering applications. Analog Devices has acquired the PowerBUS RHINO power-line communications technology and all related patents, hardware, and software from Domosys Corporation, a privately held company based in Quebec City, Canada. This technology is effective for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems utilities need for "smart-grid" applications that acquire and communicate consumption information for electricity, gas, and water. AMI systems provide two-way meter communications, allowing instructions to be sent to residences for multiple purposes, including "real-time" pricing data, demand-response actions, or remote service disconnects.
Power-line communications can transform any stand-alone meter into a device that can be controlled or monitored either locally or remotely. Signals are sent and received over existing power lines or twisted-pair wires, reducing the need for the installation of new wires or the building of new infrastructure. ADI will develop new products incorporating the PowerBUS RHINO technology and announce these offerings under the Analog Devices brand later this year.
"The global demand for AMI applications has greatly increased in recent years, especially in China, North America, and Europe," said Ronn Kliger, product line director, Energy Metering Products, Analog Devices. "The technology developed by Domosys provides ADI with an excellent foundation for expanding our energy-metering portfolio with new products for the growing AMI market as well as other markets that require no-new-wire communication systems."
"The ADI acquisition of this technology is the culmination of Domosys' research and development activities and is a testament to the superior quality of our technology," said Alain Laflamme, president of Domosys Corporation. "This acquisition will build upon the successful collaboration the two companies have had over the past few years, and we are grateful to our customers and business partners who have supported our past activities. As an outcome of this divestiture, Domosys' operations are ceasing immediately."
About Analog Devices
Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating over 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ADI" and is included in the S&P 500 Index.