Abstract: A group metering method (and system) for monitoring electrical energy consumption by a plurality of proximate users replaces multiple individual user-meters by a single electronic meter. A single computational engine computes consumed energy values by the users and deploys a single subsection set (display, real time clock, and non-volatile memory) which can be located on a PCB. The system, usable for single or three phase, may be located out of reach from the users to make it tamper proof. Individual ADCs obtain electrical current values (through current transformers,) of power consumed by individual users and cooperate with a single DSP to compute energy consumption by individual users, readable on a common display in round robin fashion. Differences between the sum of energy values consumed by the users and a consolidated energy reading beyond a known threshold are reported as possible user-tampering. Asynchronous communication ports communicate with display units and AMR modules.

Abstract: A technique to provide a higher resolution DAC architecture for converting an N-bit digital word to a corresponding analog voltage signal without increasing chip area and switching capacitance. In one example embodiment, this is accomplished by using a triple string converter. In the triple string converter, a triple switching tree is coupled to a triple resistor string and to an analog output. Each switching tree includes a plurality of switches and each resistor string includes a plurality of corresponding resistors. A logic decoder coupled to the triple switching tree receives an N-bit digital word and generates a digital signal. The plurality of switches in each switching tree is substantially simultaneously controlled by the digital signal to output a range of corresponding analog voltage signals when the triple resistor string is connected across a voltage supply.