PRODUCT DATA SHEET

Communications Module
for Electricity Meters
Adding two-
way wireless
communications to a
broad array of meters:
»» Offers one-watt transmitter
to provide full, two-
way wireless NAN
communications
»» Supports 2.4 GHz HAN
communications
»» Integrates with Silver
Spring UtilityIQ®
application suite to support
advanced metering and
demand response
»» Enables over-the-air
firmware upgrades to
reduce cost
»» Provides full security
and encryption to meet
rigorous industry standards
Smart Metering – the Foundation of the Smart Grid
The Silver SpringTM Smart Energy Platform improved customer satisfaction, and a scalable
combines network infrastructure, software, platform for adding advanced smart grid
and professional services to enable a range applications – both now and in the future.
of smart grid applications. Enabling two-way The Communications Module accesses demand,
communications with next-generation electricity consumption, time-of-use and interval data,
meters is fundamental to building the smart grid. alarms, and power-quality data from the meter.
Its two-way wireless functionality supports
The Silver Spring Communications Module remote data acquisition, meter program
integrates under glass inside partners’ electricity management, and real-time asynchronous
meters to provide wireless networking both alerts for meter tampering or outages. Utilities
back to the utility back office and into the can reprogram metering schedules over the
customer’s home. The module easily installs air at any time for specific interval, register,
inside these meters and leverages Silver Spring or security reads, with access to both logged
network devices to form a highly resilient mesh and instantaneous data. Depending upon
network for the utility. The resulting two-way the capabilities of the meter, utilities can also
communications network gives utilities greater periodically monitor instantaneous voltage
efficiency, more reliable service delivery, and temperature data.
Utility Back-office Systems The Silver Spring Smart
Energy Platform supports
Silver Spring Message Bus
a range of smart grid
Silver Spring Applications applications on a single open
standards-based network.

UtilityIQ GridScape SilverLink CustomerIQ

Unified Software Unified Management Cloud Services Customer Engagement

WAN

ET R
ERN LA
ETH LL
U
CE
ACCESS
POINT ACCESS
POINT BRIDGE MASTER

MICROMESH
TECHNOLOGY LOAD
CONTROL BRIDGE
RELAY RELAY

EVSE
BRIDGE

ZIGBEE
IEC METER GAS IMU

FCI
WATER

Advanced Metering Demand-side Management Distribution Automation

About Silver Spring Networks

Silver Spring Networks is a leading networking platform and solutions provider for smart energy networks. Our pioneering IPv6 networking platform, with 16.5 million Silver Spring
enabled devices delivered, is connecting utilities to homes and business throughout the world with the goal of achieving greater energy efficiency for the planet. Silver Spring’s
innovative solutions enable utilities to gain operational efficiencies, improve grid reliability, and empower consumers to monitor and manage energy consumption. Silver Spring
Networks is used by major utilities around the globe including Baltimore Gas & Electric, CitiPower & Powercor, Commonwealth Edison, CPS Energy, Florida Power & Light, Jemena
Electricity Networks Limited, Pacific Gas & Electric, Pepco Holdings, Inc., and Progress Energy, among others. For more information please visit www.silverspringnet.com.
 PRODUCT DATA SHEET

Communications Module
for Electricity Meters

With its full, one-watt transmitter, the Communications Module Specifications – General:
Communications Module provides broad
reach and robust connectivity in the NIC 300 product family
Neighborhood or Field Area Network (NAN Platform Architecture: System-on-Chip (SoC)
or FAN). In addition to supporting a 900 MHz Processor: SoC-based ARM7, adjustable frequencies
radio for the NAN, the Communications RAM: 4 MB
Module also features an optional 2.4 GHz Flash: 8 MB
radio for the Home Area Network (HAN).
NAN communications Data rates: 100 kbps
This radio supports the ZigBee Smart Energy Spread spectrum: FHSS
Profile specification to communicate with Transmitter output: 27 to 30 dBm (500 mW to 1 W)
a wide range of smart devices within the Receiver sensitivity: -97 dBm for 1% PER
home. Because the specification is evolving,
HAN communications Protocols: IEEE 802.15.4,
Silver Spring designed its ZigBee radio
ZigBee Smart Energy Profile 1.1
with upgradable hardware to support more Frequency: 2.4 GHz ISM Band
sophisticated protocol requirements. Transmitter output: 20 to 23 dBm (100 to 200 mW)
Receiver sensitivity: -97 dBm for 1% PER
The Communications Module is available in a
Protocols / Security Addressing: IPv6
variety of NIC models to support the needs of Encryption: Advanced Encryption Standard
disparate utilities and geographic regions. (AES-128 or AES-256)
Security: Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit (SHA-256)
Features and RSA-1024 or ECC-256
Key storage: Secure NVRAM with tamper detection
and key erasure
»» Full, two-way communications
Environmental Operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C
»» One-watt transmitter (-40°F to +185°F)
»» Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Humidity: 0% to 95%, non-condensing

»» Robust security and encryption Communications Module Specifications – North America:

»» Dynamic network discovery and self healing
NIC 310
»» Scheduled and on-demand meter reads
Radio Frequencies: 902-928 MHz
»» Alarm detection and clearing Approvals: FCC 15.247, Industry Canada RSS-210

»» Network time management Interfaces Meter: ANSI C12.18/C12.19, serial

»» Continuous neighbor monitoring and route Meters supported GE I-210+1

calculation GE I-210+c1
GE kV2c1
»» Over-the-air firmware upgrades and meter GE kV2c+1 2
programming L+G E330 FOCUS AX
L+G E350 AX-SD Single Phase
»» Power outage and restoration notification L+G E330 FOCUS AX Polyphase
»» Support for a wide range of meters and forms L+G E650 S4e
Elster A3 ALPHA
1
Denotes Measurement Canada approval
Supported via External Communications Module
2

NIC 310 and 310x

 PRODUCT DATA SHEET

Communications Module
for Electricity Meters

Communications Module Specifications – Australia:

NIC 320
Radio Frequencies: 915-928 MHz
Approvals: AS/NZS 4268

Interfaces Meter: ANSI C12.18/C12.19, serial

External: Optional serial communications port
NIC 320
Meters supported Secure i-Credit 500
Secure Sprint 200
Secure Premier
L+G E350 - 1200
L+G E350 - 1300
L+G E350 - 3300
L+G E350 - 3350

Communications Module Specifications – Brazil:

NIC 330
Radio Frequencies: 902-907 MHz, 915-928 MHz
Approvals: ANATEL

Interfaces Meter: ANSI C12.18/C12.19, serial

Meters supported Nansen Spectrum M

Nansen Spectrum K
Elster A3 NIC 330 family, with 330e and 330x models

Communications Module Specifications – General:

NIC 400 product family
Platform Architecture: ARM based SoC
RAM: 4 MB
Flash: 8 MB

NAN communications Data rates: 50 kbps to 300 kbps

Spread spectrum: FHSS
Transmitter output: 27 to 30 dBm (500 mW to 1 W) NIC 400
Receive sensitivity:
Data Rate (kbps) Receive Sensitivity (dBm for 10% PER)
50 -101
100 -98
150 -96
200 -95
300 -93
Protocol: IEEE 802.15.4g

HAN communications Protocols: IEEE 802.15.4,

ZigBee Smart Energy Profile 1.1
Frequency: 2.4 GHz ISM Band
Transmitter output: 20 to 23 dBm (100 to 200 mW)
Receiver sensitivity: -97 dBm for 1% PER

Protocols / Security Addressing: IPv6

Encryption: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-128 or AES-256)
Security: Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit (SHA-256) and RSA-1024 or ECC-256
Key storage: Secure NVRAM with tamper detection and key erasure

Environmental Operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F)

Humidity: 0% to 95%, non-condensing
 PRODUCT DATA SHEET

Communications Module
for Electricity Meters

Communications Module Specifications – North America:

NIC 400 Series

Radio Frequencies: 902-928 MHz
Approvals: FCC 15.247, Industry Canada RSS-210

Interfaces Meter: ANSI C12.18/C12.19, serial

Meters supported Elster A3

Itron CENTRON II C12.191
L+G E330 FOCUS AX
L+G E350 AX-SD Single Phase
L+G E330 FOCUS AX Polyphase
1
Denotes Measurement Canada approval

Communications Module Specifications – Australia/New Zealand

NIC 400 Series
Radio Frequencies:
Australia: 915-928 MHz
New Zealand: 921-928 MHz
Approvals: AS/NZS 4268

Interfaces Meter: ANSI C12.18/C12.19, serial

External: Optional serial communications port

Meters supported L+G E350 - 1200

L+G E350 - 1300
L+G E350 - 3300
L+G E350 - 3350

Communications Module Specifications – Brazil:

NIC 400 series
Radio Frequencies: 902-907 MHz, 915-928 MHz
Approvals: ANATEL

Interfaces Meter: ANSI C12.18/C12.19, serial , DLMS-COSEM

Meters supported Itron SL7000

Meter Patch Antenna Coupler

Physical Interfaces Antenna connector: N Type, Female
Antenna types: Various
Cable length: 15.24 cm (6”)

Environmental Operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F)

Humidity: 0% to 95%, non-condensing

Approvals FCC: 15.247

The optional Meter Patch Antenna

Coupler connects meters equipped with
a Communications Module to an external
antenna for greater signal range and coverage.

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All Rights Reserved. All trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. REV. 6/19/2013