ADI (Norwood, Mass.) said it has acquired all related patents, hardware and software from Domosys Corp. (Quebec City, Quebec). ADI said the power management technology can be applied to the development of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems that power utilities are expected to need in developing U.S. "smart grid" applications.

AMI systems provide two-way meter communications, allowing instructions to be sent to residences for applications like real-time pricing data or demand-response actions.

ADI said PowerBus communications technology developed by Domosys could be used to convert current utility meters into intelligence devices that could be monitored remotely. Signals could be sent to and from meters over existing power lines or twisted-pair wires.

ADI said it plans to develop new products incorporating the power-line communications technology and will roll them out later this year.

Domosys was a privately-held company. Terms of the deal were not announced.