Panasonic Selects Freescale's ZigBee(TM)-Compliant Platform; ZigBee Communication Module Enables New Markets for Wireless Home and Industrial Automation

TEMPE, Ariz.--Sept. 7, 2005--Panasonic Electronic Devices Corporation of America has chosen Freescale Semiconductor to provide ZigBee technology for its wireless communication modules.

Panasonic's communication module enables its customers to integrate ZigBee technology into their monitoring, control and sensing applications that require long battery life and mesh networking capabilities. According to a report by analyst firm In-Stat published earlier this year, the estimated worldwide market for ZigBee chipsets is expected to reach 150 million units by 2009.

Designed for remote control and wire replacement in industrial systems, home automation, inventory management, RF ID tagging and automated meter reading (AMR), the PAN802154HAR module is expected to be sold to leading industrial and home automation companies. The Panasonic PAN802154HAR module is available now from the North American Components division of Arrow Electronics, Inc. . The module will be showcased at the Freescale Technology Forum in Tokyo, Japan on September 8, 2005.

"Freescale's ZigBee-compliant solutions enable new possibilities for wireless sensing and control applications," said Robert Nguyen, general manager of Panasonic's Wireless Communication Module Group based in San Diego. "Freescale's design support and market leadership gave us the confidence in selecting their platform as the foundation for our module. Working with Freescale expands on our vision to enable pervasive wireless monitoring and control by bringing quick turnkey solutions to OEMs looking to add wireless connectivity."

Over the past year, Panasonic and Freescale have been working to define and develop a communications module to adopt the benefits of wireless connectivity. The PAN802154HAR module is a comprehensive wireless solution that integrates Freescale's MC13193 platform and supports proprietary, 802.15.4 and ZigBee solutions.

"Panasonic is a leader in providing components and design solutions to manufacturers in the consumer electronics, computer and home appliance industries," said Franz Fink, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale's Wireless and Mobile Systems Group. "The selection of our platform for Panasonic's communication module reflects growing industry support for our solution and for the adoption of wireless connectivity in the home and workplace."

Freescale's ZigBee-compliant platform, which includes the MC13193 2.4 GHz RF chip, a low voltage, low power HCS08 MCU and the Figure 8 Wireless Z-Stack ZigBee software, provides a robust, cost effective, and easy-to-deploy solution. ZigBee-enabled on-chip features and enhancements reduce external components and total bill of materials, while providing battery lifetimes of up to several years. For more information on Freescale's ZigBee-compliant solutions, visit www.freescale.com/zigbee.

PAN802154HAR Communication Module Features

    --  Fully supports 2.4 GHz ZigBee, 802.15.4, or simple MAC
        application

    --  RS-232 port; two analog inputs selectable to 10 bit A/D
        converter; and up to eight digital I/O ports on
        easy-to-connect header connectors

    --  One switch and one LED for control and monitoring

    --  Output power: 0dBm typical

    --  RX sensitivity: -92dBm typical at 1.0% packet error rate

    --  On-board printed antennae or optional connector for external
        antennae

    --  Power supply range:
           2.2 VDC to 3.4 VDC without using RS-232
           3.0 VDC to 3.4 VDC with using RS-232

    --  Small size: 48mm by 34 mm

Detailed information regarding Panasonic's new ZigBee communication module can be found at http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/components/zigbee.htm.

"The Panasonic PAN802154HAR module will allow our customers to quickly and easily integrate ZigBee technology," said Paul Buckley, senior vice president, Arrow Semiconductor Supplier Services Group. "Having an FCC-compliant module based on Freescale's ZigBee-compliant platform will allow Arrow to support a wide range of our customers' growing needs to go wireless."

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin,Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (USD). www.freescale.com

About Panasonic

Panasonic Electronic Devices Corporation of America is an electronic device manufacturing subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. . Panasonic Industrial Company provides components and design solutions to leading manufacturers in the consumer electronics, telecommunications, computer, and home appliance industries, among others. The company is a sales division of Panasonic Corporation of North America. For more information on Panasonic visit our website at www.panasonic.com.

About Arrow's North American Components Group

Based in Melville, New York, the North American Components (NAC) group of Arrow Electronics, Inc., is a leading provider of semiconductor and passive, electro mechanical and connector products, services, and supply chain solutions tailored to serve distinct customer segments with dedicated sales teams. Three primary, customer-focused NAC groups serve these market segments: The Arrow/Zeus Electronics Group targets the aerospace and military markets; the Arrow Electronics Components Group serves local OEM and contract manufacturing customers; and the Arrow Alliance Group focuses on large customers with complex needs. Arrow Electronics is a major global provider of products, services, and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and computer products.

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