Renesas, ZMD team up for ZigBee

Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden AG (ZMD) has announced it has started working with the U.S. subsidiary of Renesas Technology Corp. to offer a wireless sensor for ZigBee networks.

According to the press release, the product would combine the ZMD44102, a ZigBee transceiver, with Renesas' M16C microcontroller and ZigBee software. ZMD44102 is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and operates in the 868MHz and 915MHz bands and operates up to 250 meters range at 0dBm output power, ZMD claimed.

"We are seeing a growing demand for sub-1GHz ZigBee solutions especially in automated meter reading systems, industrial applications and any other systems that require long-range wireless technology," said Tim Dry, a marketing manager with Renesas in a statement.

The combination of the two chips and the software would be available in Q2 of 2006.

- Peter Clarke
EE Times