Freescale Semiconductor and SMK Deliver RF4CE Remote Controls

AUSTIN, Texas--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Freescale Semiconductor:

“SMK’s leadership in remote controls provides OEMs with a comprehensive RF4CE solution that allows them to focus on their consumer electronic device development, which will reduce time to market cycles while saving valuable R&D dollars”

News Facts:

• Freescale Semiconductor, a leader in 802.15.4 technology and SMK Electronics Corporation USA, the largest manufacturer of remote controls in the world, plan to introduce a design and development platform based on Freescale’s RF4CE (Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics) protocol to drive the next generation of RF control technologies.
• SMK will showcase Freescale’s RF4CE technology in its remote controls at the upcoming Cable Show in Washington DC, April 1-3.
• SMK has integrated Freescale’s RF4CE platform into several new remote controls targeted for DTV, Blu-ray DVD recorders, and set top boxes. With the inclusion of RF4CE, SMK is able to implement a low-cost, plug-and-play solution into its existing remote controls providing faster time-to-market for their customers.
• Several leading brands have already introduced early RF remote controls based on Freescale technology and estimates put the total market for RF4CE shipments over 160 million by 2012.

SMK and Freescale’s RF4CE remote control demo details:

• The RF4CE remote controls can be viewed in the SMK Booth #615 or at Freescale’s Hospitality Suite at the Residence Inn Washington, DC on Vermont Avenue.
• The demo will be comprised of a virtual TV, an iPod docking station, a remote control and a light source.
• The demo highlights the advantages of RF4CE technology as there are no line-of-sight or field of vision limitations (don't have to point the remote toward the device) and remote controls are not affected by interference from large LCD or Plasma TVs.
• Information can be sent from the device (TV/ iPod) to the remote control due to two-way RF communication and displayed directly on the remote. Users can send iPod playlist and other key information to remote and TV for full browsing and navigation of iPod contents.
• It will also demonstrate how the remote controls can control and monitor home lighting. The menu for the lights can be created and viewed on the remote that displays current status such as on/off, dim level, etc.

Multimedia

• RF4CE FLASH DEMO
• YouTube video of Freescale’s Victor Berrios demonstrating how to bridge Freescale’s RF4CE software stack to the ZigBee® protocol
• Home Automation: Convenience at Home
• More about ZigBee on Wikipedia

Key Quotes

• “With the inclusion of Freescale’s RF4CE platform into our existing line of remote controls, we have the ability to quickly provide our customers the new standard in consumer electronics technology,” said Paul Evans, President of SMK America Group. “Freescale is a known leader in 802.15.4 technology with robust solutions in production. With their implementation of RF4CE, already available, we can get our customers to market faster to enable them to gain a competitive edge.”
• “SMK’s leadership in remote controls provides OEMs with a comprehensive RF4CE solution that allows them to focus on their consumer electronic device development, which will reduce time to market cycles while saving valuable R&D dollars,” said Brett Black, commercial wireless manager for Freescale Semiconductor. “SMK’s adoption of Freescale’s RF4CE protocol is yet another positive step towards RF4CE becoming the universal standard in RF consumer devices.”

About Freescale RF4CE

The Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics RF4CE Consortium has become part of the ZigBee® Alliance to drive the next generation of RF control technologies. The RF4CE (Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics) Consortium was formed to develop a new protocol that will further the adoption of radio frequency remote controls for audio visual devices. The consortium founding members - Panasonic, Philips, Samsung Electronics, and Sony Corporation - collaborated with Freescale Semiconductor to create a standardized specification for radio frequency-based remote controls that deliver richer communication, enabling a new generation of user-interfaces for consumer electronics.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations around the world. www.freescale.com

About SMK

SMK Corporation, established in 1925 with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, is the largest OEM manufacturer of remote control units in the world. SMK is uniquely focused on the design, development and production of IR & RF based remote control solutions and its competencies include an extensive product offering, unparalleled engineering, and R&D and design services. SMK also produces resistive and optical touch screens, and a wide variety of electronic components used by major OEM’s in the field of communications, information, audio-visual, and car and home electronics.

SMK Electronics Corp., U.S.A., headquartered in Chula Vista, California, provides a wide range of standard solutions in addition to fully custom developed products with local manufacturing facilities in Tijuana, Mexico.

Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their registered owners.

Relevant press releases

Freescale supports ZigBee Alliance’s move to integrate RF4CE technology

Freescale leads the industry in IEEE® 802.15.4 chipsets

Freescale opens Synkro protocol to all consumer electronics manufacturers

Freescale joins RF4CE Consortium to develop RF standard for entertainment control

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Freescale and the Freescale logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 2009.