Digi-Key to Distribute Panasonic Communication ModulesSECAUCUS, New Jersey and THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minnesota – June 13, 2006 — Panasonic Industrial Company today announced the appointment of Digi-Key as an authorized distributor for its line of RF modules including the PAN802154 wireless communication module supporting the 802.15.4 radio standard and the ZigBee™ specification. The Panasonic module is designed for various sensing, monitoring and control applications for home automation and industrial control. Panasonic’s PAN802154 module is a low data rate/low power communication device operating in the ISM 2.4 GHz band and is fully compliant with the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. The module uses Freescale’s 802.15.4 transceiver (MC13193), microcontroller (GT60) and is licensed to use all released Freescale ZigBee protocol stack layer software. Furthermore, the PAN802154 has an onboard RS-232 interface IC and two onboard printed antennae that are etched on both sides of the board for optimum RF sensitivity. The entire RF section is shielded to prevent RF leakage and further improve performance. The PAN802154 is shipped ready to download Freescale’s 802.15.4 PHY/MAC layer and the ZigBee protocol layer. The PAN802154 complies with FCC part 15 and ICC requirements for 2.4 GHz ISM band. The application profile or program can be developed with in-house software staff or any third party software development contractor, including Panasonic. “We are very pleased to partner with Digi-Key in the expansion of our existing product lines,” said Tony Komon, director of Panasonic’s Component Division. “Together with Panasonic’s broad portfolio of components and sales and marketing resources, we will be better positioned to provide our customers in North America with an unparalleled offering of products and services.” “We are delighted to further our collaboration with Panasonic and add this line of communication modules to our growing repertory of ZigBee compliant modules,” said Mark Larson, president and COO at Digi-Key. “I am certain that these products will be of consequential interest and appeal to our customers.” Digi-Key Corporation is one of the fastest growing distributors of electronic components in the world, currently shipping product to more than 130 countries around the globe. Panasonic’s communication modules will be available directly from Digi-Key through its print and online catalogs. This appointment will enable Digi-Key to fulfill both the design/prototype and volume needs of its widespread and diverse customer base. About Panasonic Industrial Company’s Component DivisionPanasonic Components Division, headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, provides standard and custom product offerings, including modules, electrolytic, specialty polymer, film and ceramic capacitors, fixed resistors, inductors, filters, resonators, potentiometers, ZNR transient/surge absorbers and switches. For more information, visit its Web site at www.panasonic.com/industrial/components. About Digi-Key CorporationOne of the fastest growing electronic component distributors in the world, Digi-Key has earned its reputation of leadership by its total commitment to service and performance. As a full-service provider of both prototype/design and production volume quantities of electronic components, Digi-Key has been ranked #1 for Overall Performance for 15 consecutive years from among more the 200 distributors in the United States (EE Times Distribution Study/ May 2006). Offering more than 700,000 products from more than 330 of the world’s leading manufacturers, Digi-Key’s commitment to inventory is unparalleled. Access to the company’s broad product offering is available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week at its top-rated Web site ca.digikey.com. MEDIA DOWLOADS: Logos, Images SOURCE: Digi-Key Corporation CONTACT: Steven G. Tsukichi, VP/Marketing, Digi-Key Corporation, 800-338-4105 x1001 (voice), steve.tsukichi@digikey.com |
