Google and Microchip Partner to Enable Easy Development of Google PowerMeter Designs for Smart Energy Monitoring

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First Reference Implementation of Google PowerMeter API Allows Quick Design of Energy-Monitoring Products

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the result of its strategic partnership with Google PowerMeter--the first Reference Implementation of the Google PowerMeter API for embedded developers. Designers now have a quick and easy way to enter the global energy-conservation market, by creating products for the measurement and monitoring of energy usage with Microchip's Google PowerMeter Reference Implementation and its broad portfolio of 16- and 32-bit PIC(R) microcontrollers, energy-measurement ICs, Ethernet controllers, and radios for ZigBee(R) and embedded Wi-Fi(R) wireless networking.

"Google is helping to foster an ecosystem of devices and utilities that will provide consumers with access to their energy information, and we're excited to be working with Microchip, a strategic partner in enabling consumer devices," said Ed Lu, Google PowerMeter program manager for advanced projects. "Microchip's Reference Implementation of the Google PowerMeter API will make it much easier to create products that are compatible with Google PowerMeter."

Google PowerMeter is a free software tool that allows consumers to view their energy consumption from their iGoogle(TM) personalized homepage. Using information from energy-monitoring devices, Google PowerMeter helps consumers to save money and use less electricity. The open-source, standards-based Google PowerMeter API allows device manufacturers to build energy-monitoring products that work with Google PowerMeter.

Microchip makes it even easier to design these energy-monitoring products, by supplying a Reference Implementation of the Google PowerMeter API. This Reference Implementation demonstrates an energy-monitoring device's activation, data transmission (wired or wireless) and status messages, providing a template for developers' own designs. Additionally, Microchip offers one-stop-shopping for all of the semiconductors and development tools needed to build a Google PowerMeter device.

The first step is to download Microchip's free Reference Implementation code from http://www.microchip.com/get/PLC4. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website (http://www.microchip.com/get/PJ5T).

Note: The Microchip name and logo, and PIC are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. Google, and iGoogle are trademarks of Google Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

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Tags / Keywords: Google, Google PowerMeter, Google PowerMeter API, PowerMeter, PowerMeter API, Smart Grid, Smart Energy, Energy Conservation, Energy Monitoring, API, Reference Implementation

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    Source: Microchip Technology Inc.

Released March 23, 2010