Flow Meter Reference Design

Its versatility and efficiency make it a go-to reference for engineers looking to create smart, durable, and energy-efficient metering devices.

The Flow Meter reference design, built around the MC9S08GW64 microcontroller, is useful for engineers seeking reliable, low-power, and cost-efficient solutions in gas and fluid metering applications. This design addresses critical industry requirements, including long battery life, accurate flow measurement, and seamless automated meter reading (AMR) capabilities. Its robust features and ease of integration make it an invaluable tool for design engineers working on consumer and industrial metering systems. By leveraging advanced functionalities like real-time flow sensing, data accumulation, and wireless communication through ZigBee, the design streamlines the development process, reducing time-to-market for innovative metering products. 

The flow meter reference design by NXP semiconductor based on the MC9S08GW64 microcontroller provides a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for gas and fluid metering. It is engineered to meet essential market demands, including affordability, low power consumption, battery operation, and support for automated meter reading (AMR). One of the design’s most notable features is its ability to keep the flow sensing module active even when the MCU operates in low-power mode, significantly reducing power usage and allowing the device to run for over a decade on a single battery.

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This system incorporates critical functionalities such as timekeeping, signal sensing from the flow sensor, calculation, and accumulation of flow data. It stores the total flow accumulation and detailed monthly profiles in memory for easy retrieval. Users can interact with the system through an onboard key that activates an LCD display, showing monthly flow accumulation and the current date. The LCD automatically powers down after a short period of inactivity to conserve energy. Moreover, the design includes wireless communication via ZigBee®, enabling remote access to flow data through handheld devices, making it highly suitable for AMR scenarios.

Designed for both consumer and industrial applications, this flow meter leverages the advanced features of the MC9S08GW64 microcontroller to ensure accuracy, reliability, and long-term durability, even in demanding environments. Key specifications include an operating voltage of 3.3V, a frequency of 4 MHz, Hall Effect sensor technology, ZigBee RF communication, and a tamper detection mechanism that remains active even during power failures. Its battery-powered design is optimized to operate for over a decade, making it a practical and sustainable choice.

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The reference design is tested by NXP semiconductor includes a complete energy meter, software resources such as source code and design documentation, and comprehensive supporting materials, including a design reference manual (DRM), bill of materials (BOM), and schematics. This versatile solution offers exceptional power management, robust data handling, and advanced communication capabilities, making it ideal for a wide range of flow metering applications. For more information, click here.