Analog Devices has acquired power-line communications technology from Domosys Corporation, a privately held company based in Quebec City, Canada. That includes the PowerBUS RHINO power-line communications technology and all related patents, hardware, and software. 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.

Since September 2007 Domosys already ported its PowerBUS RHINO technology to ADI's products and co-developed with ADI reference designs to enable electrical Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) solutions.