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Sigma Designs Expands the Z-Wavea" Network by Bridging to Zigbeea" Devices

^{Published on 2010-01-07 19:40:42 - Market Wire}
 

MILPITAS, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM), a leading provider of system-on-chip (SoC) solutions used to deliver entertainment and control throughout the home, today announced the availability of the Z-Wave™ to Zigbee™ bridge reference design aimed at closing the technology gap between smart meters and the Z-Wave Home Area Network (HAN). The reference design will expand Z-Wave's ecosystem to encompass the smart meters that are connected by the Zigbee Smart Energy profile (SEP) that has been deployed in multiple U.S. smart meter trials. This will enable utilities and consumers to take advantage of the large ecosystem of Z-Wave products by mapping demand response load control and energy rate messages to Z-Wave specific functionalities and devices.

"In addition, this new bridge supports the highest level of security required by utilities to protect the privacy of their data."

As the federal government in Washington D.C. drives to create a ubiquitous consumer-friendly smart energy system, it is understood that standards need to be agreed upon quickly. Technical interoperability between the various standards is important to safeguard various players, including consumers and utilities, against technical obsolescence and wasted investment. Following stringent security requirements set by the utilities to ensure that confidential information is not breached, the Z-Wave to Zigbee bridge is fully compliant with the Zigbee SEP. The ability to interoperate with Z-Wave opens up the largest assortment of wireless home control devices on the market, putting the power to manage home energy use in the hands of end users.

Today, over 350 Z-Wave home control products are widely available at major retailers such as Amazon.com, Lowe's and Radio Shack. The new reference bridge design will enable Z-Wave networks to also integrate an expanded range of smart meters, allowing consumers to actively monitor their home energy usage and power consumption with their energy company. In addition, consumers will enjoy easy access to load-shedding by having end-to-end control and management of all Z-Wave devices in the home such as, lights, thermostats, door locks, shades and appliances.

"This opens up a proven, affordable, available, easy to install ecosystem of energy control products that complete the smart energy vision that utilities have for their customers," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing at Sigma Designs. "In addition, this new bridge supports the highest level of security required by utilities to protect the privacy of their data."

The reference design works seamlessly with the currently deployed Z-Wave platforms and therefore enables Z-Wave partners to quickly expand their offering to the meter solutions as a natural extension of the proven Z-Wave experience.

Editor's Note: A demonstration of the Bulogics Smart Grid Home Controller, showcasing the Z-Wave to Zigbee bridge, will take place at the 2010 CES Show in Las Vegas, Thursday, January 7 through Saturday, January 9 at the Z-Wave Pavilion South Hall #20901.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about the anticipated features and benefits of Sigma's products, growing demand from consumers, projected timing and availability of solutions, and the expected use of Sigma's products. Actual results could vary materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements included herein as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, worldwide economic conditions, the rate of growth of the market, changes in the customer's ability or desire to incorporate Sigma's chipsets and software into its product, consumer reaction to the new products and services being offered, the ability of Sigma to deliver sufficient quantity and quality of its chipsets, alternative offerings by competitors, and the ability of the parties to work together successfully to achieve the rollout of this new product. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Sigma undertakes no obligation to publicly release or otherwise disclose the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made as a result of events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs is a leading fabless semiconductor provider of highly integrated system-on-chip (SoC) solutions that are used to deliver entertainment and control throughout the home. SoC solutions include media processing, wired and wireless networking, video image processing, and home control along with system software to form the critical components of consumer electronic products that include Internet protocol TV (IPTV) set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, high definition televisions (HDTV), and media communication devices. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., Sigma Designs has direct sales representatives in the United States, Brazil, China, Europe (Denmark), Israel, Japan, Taiwan and a third-party distributor in Korea. For more information, please visit Sigma Designs' web site at [ www.sigmadesigns.com ].