Cirrus Logic Bets Big on Smart Energy with Next-Gen Metrology AFE Platform

SemiconLeaders Asia speaks with Eddie Sinnott, VP, Automotive and Industrial, Cirrus Logic, on the company's big bet on smart energy — from its Scottish Enterprise-funded metrology analogue front-end platform and University of Strathclyde partnership to Edinburgh's growing role as its largest engineering hub outside the United States.

Q. Cirrus Logic has received R&D funding from Scottish Enterprise to develop a next-generation metrology analogue front-end platform. What makes this new solution different from existing smart energy metering technologies, and what customer challenges is it designed to solve?

The platform offers enhanced integration compared to traditional solutions, designed to combine high-accuracy energy measurement with advanced metrology calculations across residential, commercial, and industrial systems. It delivers superior ADC capabilities with wider bandwidth and integrated metrology processing, including advanced features such as harmonic extraction, sensor compensation, and line-frequency tracking. Support for major sensor topologies enables real-time fault detection and grid management.

This gives customers flexibility to reuse the platform across different meter designs and market segments, significantly reducing redesign effort. Integrated processing simplifies system architecture by combining advanced metrology calculation functions with the analog front-end, reducing the need for multiple ICs. The new metrology product family spans single-phase and polyphase configurations, providing a cost-efficient and adaptable foundation for current and future meter refresh cycles, and potential derivatives for adjacent electrification markets.

This will help customers address growing demands for accurate measurement, efficient system integration, and adaptable technology as energy infrastructure becomes more complex. 

Q. The new metrology AFE platform targets applications ranging from EV charging and energy storage to data centre power monitoring and grid infrastructure. Which market segment do you expect to drive the earliest commercial adoption, and why?

We expect smart metering to provide the earliest adoption as the demand is strong, the customer base is known to us, and the first product is already in flight. Smart meter shipments are described as growing at about 12% CAGR, reaching roughly 140M units by 2032 (source: Northeast Group). We fit the need directly given our relationships with the leading OEMs in the market. We’re also introducing enhancements over current solutions with stronger accuracy, reliability, and added metrology features. Beyond Smart Metering, the core IP can be reused into the adjacent markets, and a family of products is in planning to address needs there.

Q. As global investment in grid modernisation and electrification accelerates, how does this product strengthen Cirrus Logic’s position beyond its traditional audio and mixed-signal semiconductor portfolio?

The initiative applies Cirrus Logic’s high-performance mixed-signal expertise to electrification and intelligent energy management. As computing intensity increases with growing demand for AI, so too does the demand for energy and great power efficiency. At the same time, rising electricity demand and the transition to alternative energy sources are increasing the need to intelligently capture, store, distribute and manage energy.

Part of the solution is the growing use of higher-voltage DC monitoring, measurement, and management. This is where Cirrus Logic’s long track record in Physical AI and power efficiency can play an important role. EV charging, data-centre DC metrology, energy storage, and wider grid infrastructure represent natural potential extensions for the company’s technology and expertise.

This strengthens the company’s diversification strategy while positioning it to contribute to major global trends around grid modernisation and decarbonisation.

Q. Scotland has become Cirrus Logic’s largest engineering hub outside the United States. How will this investment expand the company’s R&D capabilities, and what role will the Edinburgh team play in developing future semiconductor technologies?

The investment will expand intellectual property development and advanced feature design within the Edinburgh team. It will also support further investment in engineering talent, research capabilities, equipment, and infrastructure. Edinburgh already contributes across the full product lifecycle, from architecture and design through testing and product delivery, and will continue to play an important role in Cirrus Logic’s future industrial and energy technologies.

Q. Your collaboration with the University of Strathclyde focuses on advancing energy management and smart grid technologies. How important are partnerships between industry and academia in accelerating innovation and bringing new semiconductor solutions to market?

These partnerships are critical because they combine academic research with practical engineering and market expertise. The University of Strathclyde is contributing insight into energy systems, global regulations, use cases, and testing requirements. Cirrus Logic can then apply that knowledge to system-level discussions with customers and the development of commercially relevant semiconductor solutions, helping reduce development risk and accelerate innovation.

The partnership also further reinforces Cirrus Logic’s commitment to supporting universities and broader STEM initiatives around the world.

Q. Looking ahead to 2028, what milestones should customers and industry partners expect from this smart energy initiative, and how do you see Cirrus Logic contributing to the future of intelligent energy management and sustainable semiconductor innovation?

Through 2028, the initiative will progress through defined research, development, validation, and product-readiness milestones. Cirrus Logic will continue expanding smart-energy expertise, intellectual property development, engineering infrastructure, and collaboration in Scotland. The long-term goal is to establish a foundation for a broader portfolio of high-accuracy energy-measurement solutions that supports smarter metering, more efficient infrastructure, and the transition to increasingly intelligent and flexible energy systems.