An interview with Michael Mayer, Sales Director APAC and DACH, CODICO
CODICO is a specialist in Powerline Communication (PLC), recognised for its deep technical consulting expertise. As a design-in distributor, the company goes far beyond pure distribution. With in-depth know-how, close collaboration with leading manufacturers, and a strong focus on Homeplug Green Phy–based solutions, CODICO provides tailored products for charging infrastructure, electric vehicles, and IoT applications. Whether consulting, modules, or complete system solutions, CODICO supports customers from the first idea through to series production, positioning itself as a reliable development partner and supplier at the highest level.
Mr. Mayer, if you had to describe CODICO in just a few sentences – how would you explain the company?
Mayer: CODICO is a specialised design-in distributor with outstanding technical support services. Our core business is to provide technical assistance from the initial development phase to the finished product, alongside distributing exclusively high-quality electronic components. As a family-run company, we place great importance on building long-term, close partnerships with both customers and manufacturers.
Your approach as a “design-in distributor” goes far beyond sales. Can you give us an example of how CODICO contributes to success?
Mayer: Our design-in approach is extremely versatile. Beyond providing technical solutions, we also monitor pricing, availability, and market developments. Timely, precise deliveries and customised logistics concepts are among our strengths.
Our collaboration often starts at the product-idea stage. We support customers with technology roadmaps, insights on current market trends, and updates on key developments – such as those in e-mobility, where globally compatible solutions and standards are essential. CODICO’s goal is to provide solution proposals tailored to the specific requirements of each project. We act as a trend scout – our sales team is technically trained and highly qualified. Ultimately, our priority is to deliver top-level technical consulting in close cooperation with manufacturers.
What makes India such an exciting market for a European distributor?
The Indian market is growing rapidly. Alongside industrialisation, automation, and digitalisation, e-mobility is advancing at great speed. Two- and three-wheelers, as well as light commercial vehicles and buses, hold enormous potential for electrification. Rising demand and the expansion of charging infrastructure create new opportunities for the PLC market. CODICO has been working with PLC technology since 2009 and has built profound expertise in the field.
In PLC, customers come with varied experiences and challenges – whether on the charging-station side or in the vehicle. We support them from the very first idea: Which modules fit the application? How should communication be integrated? PLC is essentially “radio-frequency over wire,” and with that comes complexity. Our aim is to help customers achieve rapid time-to-market products by offering not just consulting, but also schematic reviews and even end-solution calibration to ensure smooth communication between vehicle and charging station.
Thanks to NDA-based exchanges, we can provide in-depth technical documentation and are happy to support projects on-site. For CODICO, technical support is not an add-on, but a core competence.
Why does CODICO focus on PLC, and what sets you apart from other providers?
Mayer: The Indian government targets 30% of all new cars and 80% of two-wheelers to be electric by 2030. Significant potential also exists in the three-wheeler and light-load vehicle segments for last-mile delivery. Such electrification requires a massive rollout of charging infrastructure with tens of thousands of new points across the country, creating huge opportunities for solution providers.
CODICO is well positioned with its comprehensive portfolio – from PLC chips to hardware modules, modules with integrated ISO 15118-2/-20 software stack, and fully developed Station Communication Controllers (SECC). We also supply analysis tools including EV/EVSE simulators, sniffers, and conformance testers. With Qualcomm, our long-standing partner and base chip supplier, we ensure technological competence and future-proof products.
One of the biggest challenges in building this infrastructure is interoperability – ensuring seamless charging between vehicle and station. While our hardware is state-of-the-art, the more complex issues often lie in the software. We therefore work closely with stack manufacturers and provide customer support at this level too.
CODICO is known for the global distribution of 8 devices’ RED-BEET modules. What makes these unique?
Mayer: The RED-BEET is our flagship PLC product. With RED-BEET 2.0, now in its second generation, we have delivered several hundred thousand units worldwide. Its high manufacturing quality and robustness set it apart. With our RED-BEET development boards, customers can quickly simulate PLC communication.
Three variants are available:
- RED-BEET-E 2.0 for charging infrastructure (EVSE)
- RED-BEET-P 2.0 for plug-in electric vehicles (PEV)
- RED-BEET-H 2.0 for smart grids, IoT, and PLC connections
- All are based on Qualcomm’s QCA7006AQ all-in-one HPGP/HPAV PLC chip, offering maximum reliability and future security. They support HPAV and HPGP, are fully compliant with IEEE 1901 and ISO 15118-3, and feature SPI and Ethernet (10/100 PHY) interfaces. Transmission rates reach up to 200 Mbps (HPAV) and 9.8 Mbps (HPGP), using OFDM modulation across 1.8–30 MHz (2–28 MHz for e-mobility). Designed with automotive-grade components, they operate from -40°C to +105°C, consuming only about 1 W (SPI) or 1.2 W (Ethernet). Despite these specifications, they are extremely compact at just 23.3 × 23.3 mm.
Standards such as ISO 15118-3 are crucial in e-mobility. What role does standardisation play for CODICO?
Mayer: Standardisation is a prerequisite for the global success of e-mobility. Our modules – such as RED-BEET 2.0 – are developed in line with the latest standards and wide operating ranges, making them suitable for worldwide use in multiple applications.
Supporting international standards like ISO 15118-3 is a hallmark of our PLC solutions. This standard defines the physical and data transmission layers for EV–charging infrastructure communication, ensuring interoperability. In practice, this enables:
- Secure, reliable communication between vehicle and charger
- Cross-manufacturer interoperability for the global EV market
- A foundation for smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities
- With RED-BEET modules, CODICO bridges classic PLC and advanced e-mobility applications. Our close collaboration with Qualcomm ensures customers have access to cutting-edge, future-ready solutions. For customers, this translates into investment security, interoperability, and long-term technological relevance – three decisive factors in India’s fast-evolving EV market.
How would you summarise CODICO’s overall competence?
Mayer: With more than 500 projects on the EVSE side and 50 on the EV side, CODICO brings deep PLC expertise, which we share with customers to help them deliver first-class products. Qualcomm’s PLC solutions provide the technological backbone, ensuring maximum interoperability in real-world conditions. We believe intensive customer interaction is essential – it accelerates and strengthens the development of e-mobility in India.
Another advantage is our online sample shop, where customers can order over 5,000 high-quality samples and evaluation boards around the clock. Numerous filtering and comparison options make it easy to find the right fit for each project.
