Smart meters are key devices in the configuration of smart grids, which are quickly proliferating due to their greater energy savings, fixed fee setting capability, stable power supply, power theft countermeasures, and improved power selling functionality.
ROHM offers a variety of semiconductor products optimized for smart meters.
As the world's 3rd* largest supplier of high reliability EEPROMs, ROHM utilizes original double cell construction and double reset functionality that result in zero accidental failures.
Three series are available, based on bus type:
1) I²C bus, featuring low power consumption and high speed operation (BR25S□□ Series: 8kbit-256kbit)
2) SPI bus (BR25S□□ Series: 32kbit-2556kbit)
3) Microwire bus (BR93L□□ Series: 1kbit-16kbit)

Data is written to the EEPROM by passing electrons through a tunnel-oxide film. This process places a significant amount of stress on the film, which can lead to erosion and, subsequently, memory bit failures that can prevent data from being written to the cells.
To avoid this, ROHM utilizes a unique double-cell structure that allocates two cells for each bit of data. Therefore, if one cell malfunctions the other will automatically activate for seamless operation.

Typically, ICs are unstable during ON/OFF. Often, noise is generated, which can lead to microcontroller malfunctions. Opamps and general logic ICs can normally recover from malfunctions. EEPROMs, on the other hand, are highly susceptible to memory failure, even after one malfunction. ROHM EEPROMs resolve this problem by utilizing two protection circuits (power ON reset/undervoltage erroneous WRITE detection) that prevent malfunctions due to power failures and ON/OFF switching.

• A streamlined, uniform manufacturing process, from wafer production to assembly, results in unsurpassed quality
  In addition, wafer fabrication and package assembly locations are dispersed, hedging risk
  
• Data writing services are also performed, and high reliability products are delivered with a short turnaround time