Software development kit (SDK)
AFE031
1500mA, integrated, powerline communications (PLC) analog front-end for driving low-impedance lin
Data sheet
AFE031
- Integrated powerline driver with thermal and overcurrent protection
- Conforms to EN50065-1
- PRIME certified
- Large output swing: 12 VPP at 1.5 A
(15-V supply) - Low power consumption:
15 mW (receive mode) - Programmable Tx and Rx filters
- Supports EN50065 CENELEC bands A, B, C, D
- Supports FSK, S-FSK, and OFDM
- Supports PRIME, G3, IEC 61334
- Receive sensitivity: 20 µVRMS, typical
- Programmable Tx and Rx gain control
- Four-wire serial peripheral interface
- Two integrated zero crossing detectors
- Two-wire transceiver buffer
- 48-Pin QFN PowerPAD™ package
- Extended junction temperature range:
–40°C to +125°C
The AFE031 is a low-cost, integrated, powerline communications (PLC) analog front-end (AFE) device that is capable of capacitive- or transformer-coupled connections to the powerline while under the control of a DSP or microcontroller. It is ideal for driving low-impedance lines that require up to 1.5 A into reactive loads. The integrated receiver is able to detect signals down to 20 µVRMS and is capable of a wide range of gain options to adapt to varying input signal conditions. This monolithic integrated circuit provides high reliability in demanding powerline communications applications.
The AFE031 transmit power amplifier operates from a single supply in the range of 7 V to 24 V. At maximum output current, a wide output swing provides a 12-VPP (IOUT = 1.5 A) capability with a nominal 15-V supply. The analog and digital signal processing circuitry operates from a single 3.3-V power supply.
The AFE031 is internally protected against overtemperature and short-circuit conditions. It also provides an adjustable current limit. An interrupt output is provided that indicates both current limit and thermal limit. There is also a shutdown pin that can be used to quickly put the device into its lowest power state. Through the four-wire serial peripheral interface, or SPI™, each functional block can be enabled or disabled to optimize power dissipation.
The AFE031 is housed in a thermally-enhanced, surface-mount PowerPAD package (QFN-48). Operation is specified over the extended industrial junction temperature range of –40°C to +125°C.
Technical documentation
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View all 8 | Type | Title | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| * | Data sheet | AFE031 Powerline Communications Analog Front-End datasheet (Rev. E) | PDF | HTML | 17 Jun 2019 |
| Application brief | Power Line Communication in Solar Applications | PDF | HTML | 12 Dec 2024 | |
| Application note | Interfacing the C2000 with an AFE03x: B-FSK Example (Rev. D) | PDF | HTML | 15 Feb 2022 | |
| E-book | The Signal e-book: A compendium of blog posts on op amp design topics | 28 Mar 2017 | ||
| E-book | Analog Engineer’s Pocket Reference Guide Fifth Edition (Rev. D) | PDF | HTML | 30 Sep 2014 | |
| User guide | TINA Simulation Schematic of a Two-Node, Power-Line Communication System | 06 Sep 2013 | ||
| More literature | Efficiency from Metering to Service Solutions | 17 Oct 2012 | ||
| Application note | AFE Design for a Narrowband Power-Line Communications Modem Using the AFE031 (Rev. A) | 03 Nov 2011 |
Design & development
For additional terms or required resources, click any title below to view the detail page where available.
Evaluation board
BOOSTXL-AFE031-DF1 — SunSpec-Compatible PLC BoosterPack™
The BOOSTXL-AFE031-DF1 evaluation module features the AFE031, TI’s integrated power-line communication (PLC) analog front-end device. When paired with a supported C2000™ MCU LaunchPad™ development kit, the BoosterPack™ plug-in module offers a robust evaluation platform for (...)
User guide: PDF
Software development kit (SDK)
TI-PLC-PRIME-DC — Power Line Communications PRIME Data Concentrator Software Development Kit
PRIME standard for narrowband OFDM Power Line Communications. The data concentrator solution is designed for the head-end systems which communicate with the end meters (“service node”) in the neighborhood area network.
The TI PRIME data concentrator system relies on the AM3356 ARM Cortex-A8 (...)
Supported products & hardware
Products
Power op amps
Software development kit (SDK)
TI-PLC-PRIME-SN — Power Line Communications PRIME Software Development Kit
Supported products & hardware
Products
Power op amps
Software
Software development kit (SDK)
Simulation model
TINA Simulation Schematic - Two-node PLC System
SBOM841.ZIP (356 KB) - TINA-TI Spice Model
Calculation tool
ANALOG-ENGINEER-CALC — Analog engineer's calculator
The analog engineer’s calculator is designed to speed up many of the repetitive calculations that analog circuit design engineers use on a regular basis. This PC-based tool provides a graphical interface with a list of various common calculations ranging from setting operational-amplifier (...)
Simulation tool
PSPICE-FOR-TI — PSpice® for TI design and simulation tool
PSpice® for TI is a design and simulation environment that helps evaluate functionality of analog circuits. This full-featured, design and simulation suite uses an analog analysis engine from Cadence®. Available at no cost, PSpice for TI includes one of the largest model libraries in the (...)
Simulation tool
TINA-TI — SPICE-based analog simulation program
TINA-TI provides all the conventional DC, transient and frequency domain analysis of SPICE and much more. TINA has extensive post-processing capability that allows you to format results the way you want them. Virtual instruments allow you to select input waveforms and probe circuit nodes voltages (...)
User guide: PDF
Reference designs
TIDA-010949 — 600W solar power optimizer reference design based on GaN with wired and wireless communication
This reference design is a solar power optimizer, which can support up to 80V input voltage and 80V output voltage, providing up to 18A output and input current. The design uses a configurable four-switch buck-boost converter to step up or step down the panel current to the string current. The (...)
Design guide: PDF
Reference designs
TIDA-060001 — SunSpec Rapid Shutdown Transmit and Receive Reference Design
This reference design interfaces an AFE031 Powerline Communications Analog Front End with a C2000 MCU to send and receive data over a wired coupled interface using frequency shift keying (FSK). The design demonstrates the SunSpec standard protocol transmitting the specific 33-bit word packet using (...)
| Package | Pins | CAD symbols, footprints & 3D models |
|---|---|---|
| VQFN (RGZ) | 48 | Ultra Librarian |
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Support & training
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