Zensys Launches Ground Breaking Fourth Generation Z-Wave Chips

Z-Wave 400-Series Chips and Modules Provide Superior Platform for AV Control Plus Enhanced Home Automation Feature Set


LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - January 7, 2008) - CES 2008 -- Zensys, developer of the award-winning Z-Wave wireless home control standard, today announced the launch of the Z-Wave 400-series, its fourth generation series single chips, which build on the strengths of Z-Wave technology and add new capabilities targeted specifically toward AV control in addition to home control.

The ZW401 is a feature rich system-on-chip (SoC) targeted at both home control and AV control. The ZW402av and ZW403av variants of the Z-Wave 400 series are the industry's first single chips that are designed specifically for universal RF plus IR remote controls and RF control of AV/CE devices. The Z-Wave 400-series enables universal interoperability between devices from multiple manufacturers and multiple applications both within and between the AV control and home control spaces, providing an easy path towards Unified Home Control™.

"This is a significant milestone for Zensys that confirms Z-Wave's role as a key enabling technology of the digital home," noted Tony Shakib, CEO of Zensys. "In addition to enhancing our reliable and robust home control and automation capabilities, we are bringing CE manufacturers a superior alternative to IR technology that will allow them to create ultra low cost RF remotes and RF support in AV devices to replace and augment IR for AV control."

The 400-series will provide CE and home automation manufacturers with significant benefits over other RF solutions on the market, including:

--  True single chip solutions - Single chips with a rich set of on-chip
    peripherals including on-chip USB 2.0 controller & transceiver; 30 GPIOs,
    hardware support for key scan matrixes; IR coding and learning; ADC, PWM,
    and Triac controllers; plus 64K OTP, 16K RAM, and NVRAM minimize the total
    device costs.
    
--  Smallest chips and modules in the industry - With single chip
    manufactured in 130nm CMOS at a size of 2.5x2.5mm, plus complete RF modules
    with only 8x8mm, Z-Wave underlines its technology lead and further extends
    its cost leadership.
    
--  Easiest to install - Thanks to its unique Zero Effort Setup™
    technology, RF remote controls based on the 400-series are as easy to use
    and install as today's bundled IR remotes, which is key for consumer mass
    market adoption.
    
--  Global solution with superior robustness against WLAN interference - Z-
    Wave is the only technology with single chips that support both sub-1Ghz
    plus 2.4 GHz, making it a future proof, global solution. Thanks to its
    patented concurrent multi-channel support combined with interference
    blocking performance that is 100 times (over 20 dBc) better than in
    otherwise comparable RF chip sets, the 400-series provides a robust
    solution in the already crowded 2.4 GHz band even under heavy interference
    from WLAN devices in the same cabinet or rack.
    
--  Lowest power consumption - The 400-series extends the Z-Wave hallmark
    tradition of low power consumption, providing manufacturers and consumers
    with "green" solutions at reduced cost. This next generation of Z-Wave
    reduces the average power consumption in battery-to-battery networks --
    such as wirelessly connected smoke detectors -- down to a third of the
    already industry-leading benchmark of the Z-Wave ZW0301 chip series. In AV
    control, the 400-series can help reduce energy consumption by enabling TVs
    to draw literally zero power when in standby mode, while reducing the cost
    for power supplies at the same time.
    

"We remain bullish on the growth of the wireless home control market and view the added support for AV control as an excellent way to build consumer awareness for the capabilities of Z-Wave-enabled systems and solidify its strong position in the industry," stated Bill Ablondi, Director, Home Systems at Parks Associates.

The Z-Wave 400-series complements the Z-Wave 200 and 300 series single chips that are in use in more than 200 products today and is on display at CES 2008 in the Z-Wave Alliance booth #20419.

About Z-Wave

Z-Wave® is the first technology to bring affordable, reliable and easy-to-use wireless control to every aspect of daily life -- the home, consumer electronics, healthcare, and energy use, to name a few. Z-Wave is an award-winning, proven and interoperable wireless mesh networking technology that allows a wide array of devices in and around the home to communicate including lighting, appliances, HVAC, entertainment centers, and security systems. Z-Wave brings many benefits to everyday life including remote home monitoring, home healthcare, safety and security, and energy conservation. Z-Wave certified products are currently available from leading consumer brands in more than 200 products. Z-Wave is the recipient of the Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award in the wireless category and the CNET "Best of CES Award" in the enabling technologies category. For more information about Z-Wave please visit www.z-wave.com.

Z-Wave® is a registered trade mark of Zensys, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

Contact Information: Contact: Callie Tucker Ruder Finn for Zensys 312.329.3910 tuckerc@ruderfinn.com