Atmel Corporation and Figure 8 Wireless Announce Unified ZigBee Solution

Atmel and Figure 8 Poised to Dominate 80 Million Unit Market

SAN JOSE, CA and SAN DIEGO, CA, AUGUST 16, 2004 . . . Building on Atmel® Corporation’s (Nasdaq: ATML) recently announced Z-Link product, the company is pleased to announce it has reached an agreement with wireless software leader, Figure 8 Wireless, Inc., to integrate Figure 8’s ZigBeeä protocol software with Atmel’s 802.15.4 compliant Z-Link chip set. The two companies will bring this complete solution to the emerging ZigBee market for cost effective, wireless, low data rate products. ABI Research forecasts that shipments for the ZigBee market could exceed 80 million units worldwide by the end of 2006(1).

Under the terms of the agreement, Atmel will utilize the Figure 8 ZigBee network software stack, allowing Atmel to offer its customers a fully integrated, OEM-ready ZigBee platform. Atmel’s Z-Link solution includes Atmel’s 868/902-928 MHz DSSS transceiver, a ZigBee-customized AVRÒ microcontroller, 802.15.4 firmware, reference designs and the Figure 8 Z-Stackä ZigBee software and related development tools. This platform will simplify ZigBee product development for OEMs and ODMs, shortening time to market by eliminating the need to procure and integrate components and software from multiple suppliers. Atmel will be demonstrating its Z-Link products at the upcoming ZigBee Alliance open house in Boston on August 18. Please visit www.zigbee.org for more information.

Tim Kubitschek, Atmel’s Wireless Business Marketing Manager said, “We selected Figure 8 because they are the clear technical leaders in providing a fully tested, working ZigBee network stack and supporting application development environment. Atmel’s optimized chip set with Figure 8’s proven firmware and development tools create a compelling total solution for OEM customers in the building automation, home control, industrial control, healthcare and consumer electronics markets.”

John Morris, Vice President of Marketing for Figure 8 added, “OEMs and ODMs considering using IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee for networking their end-products will be pleased to see a fully integrated, ZigBee solution. With the standard on it’s way to ratification, after the recently completed successful test of the ZigBee specification by Figure 8 and the ZigBee Alliance, and the availability of Atmel’s chip set with Figure 8’s software platform, OEMs can get development underway on their ZigBee products immediately. In addition, those OEMs already in development on proprietary platforms can now move over to the open, interoperable, standards-based approach that complete ZigBee platforms offer.”

Footnote

(1) “ZigBee and 802.15.4 Wireless Network Markets”, ABI Research, August 10, 2004, www.abiresearch.com/reports/ZIG.html

About Atmel

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, California with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies.

About Figure 8 Wireless

Figure 8 Wireless is a leading provider of wireless software and networking solutions. The company's mission is to create core technologies that enable leading OEMs and semiconductor companies to bring complete, interoperable ZigBee networking solutions and products to market quickly and easily. Figure 8 is committed to a cost-effective and user-friendly "out-of-the-box" wireless experience. For more information, please visit www.f8w.com

About The ZigBee Alliance

The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. The ZigBee Alliance is a rapidly growing, non-profit industry consortium of leading semiconductor, manufacturers, technology providers, OEMs, and end-users worldwide. Membership is open to all. Additional information can be found at www.zigbee.org

© Atmel Corporation 2004. All rights reserved. Atmel and AVR are registered trademarks of Atmel Corporation. Z-Link is a trademark of Atmel Corporation. ZigBee is a trademark of the ZigBee Alliance. Z-Stack is a trademark of Figure 8 Wireless, Inc. Other terms and product names may be the trademarks of others.

Information

Atmel's AT86RF210 and AT86ZL3201 product information may be retrieved at: www.atmel.com/products/zigbee/