New Unigen PAN and ECHO family of wireless modules supports high data rates, long range performance and a wide range of applications.

SAN JOSE, Calif. and FREMONT, Calif., August XX, 2008 – Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC) and Unigen Corp. today announce a new family of wireless modules, Pan and Echo,  based on Semtech’s TrueRF™ XE series single chip transceivers operating in the 433MHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz ISM bands. Pan and Echo with best in industry link budgets are ideal for applications for Narrowband/Wideband security systems, voice over RF, access control, home automation, home appliance interconnection, process and building control. Both Pan and Echo can offer long range performance with distances greater than 1 mile! 

Unigen Pan wireless modules are based on Semtech’s TrueRF™ XE1203 wideband single chip UHF transceiver. Pan wireless modules are wideband, use Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum and have an optional hardware 11-chip Barker encoder/decoder that reduces the effects of fixed frequency in-band interference. Pan also supports standard Konnex-RF 32.7kbit/s modes for home and building electronic systems to control lighting, shutters, heating and cooling, etc. Pan has a programmable output power that can reach up to +15dBm and a receiver sensitivity performance down to -111dBm which enables long distance range performance.

Unigen ECHO wireless modules are based on the XE1205 wide and narrowband single chip TrueRF™ transceiver. Echo wideband and narrowband wireless modules offer even greater distance range of performance with narrowband operation and receiver sensitivity down to -121dBM. A 16 byte built in FIFO for transmitting and receiving data via a single SPI bus can be easily interfaces with a wide range of microcontrollers.

The Pan and Echo product family meets all necessary Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) compliance in addition to Industry Canada (IC) requirements. The modules come with pre-certification and FCC Modular Approval (MA) when applicable to ease the RF compliance burden that many OEMs would otherwise face.

“The new Echo and Pan Series Modules are designed to fulfill an increasing range of applications precipitated by an unprecedented growth in wireless connectivity,” said Mark Morrissey, Vice President of Business Development for Unigen. “Unigen has produced over a million ISM RF modules for our customers and we have a recognized RF module expertise in this space” Unigen started building modules based on Semtech’s TrueRF™ XE series chip 5 months ago and has tested and shipped many thousands of units already.

Unigen’s Pan and Echo modules can be ordered from the popular global distributions companies like Digikey and Future Electronics.  Technical support, implementation and application discussion for Pan and Echo modules are provide by Unigen’s Support Forums on Unigen’s main website. The support forums have dedicated sections for Pan and Echo products that customers, engineers, and developers can use for free!

Moving forward with Semtech, Unigen will also soon release high performing UHF wireless modules based on Semtech’s SX series single chip transceivers. The SX series offer lower power consumption and automated over the air packet handling with data whitening and automated CRC for higher reliability and security for batter powered devices. Unigen will produce both UFH wireless solutions, Semtech XE and SX series, and make them widely available to the HomeRF and Metering market. 

About Unigen

Unigen is a leader in the design and manufacture of OEM memory, DC-DC power conversion, wired and wireless communication, and flash memory solutions. Unigen supplies silicon, modules, and services to leading clients in the PC, server, networking, telecommunication, imaging, medical, defense, and mobile computing industries. Unigen's core competency is the design and manufacture of precise and complex standard and customer module products. Unigen services include contract manufacturing and assembly, worldwide product distribution, supply chain management, testing, prototyping, product assurance, and post sales support. Unigen is headquartered in Fremont, Calif., and operates state-of-the-art, ISO 9001 certified SMT manufacturing and design facilities. Unigen owns and controls additional manufacturing, design, and sales centers throughout Asia and a worldwide network of manufacturer's representatives. For more information, visit our web site at http://www.unigen.com

About Semtech

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of high-quality analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products.  The company is dedicated to providing customers with proprietary solutions and breakthrough technology in power management, protection, advanced communications, human interface, test & measurement, as well as wireless and sensing products.  The Company's integrated circuits (ICs) are employed in communications, computer and computer-peripheral, automated test equipment, industrial and other commercial applications. For more information visit www.semtech.com