[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM), the leader in connected media platforms, and Mitsumi are pleased to announce that Mitsumi is now a licensed second source for Z-Wave(R) wireless RF technology, a Sigma Designs technology. As a second source, Mitsumi will independently produce and deliver the popular Z-Wave modules; which will make it easier for large multi-international companies and government businesses that require a second source, to adopt the technology; in-turn, this will lead to market growth, as well as adoption by other standards organizations.

“We welcome Mitsumi as a second source for our Z-Wave product line,” stated Sigma Designs CEO Thinh Tran. “With Mitsumi, we are able to draw upon a wealth of experience, technology and ideas that it possesses as a general electronics component manufacturer. With Mitsumi as a certified second source, we can extend the global acceptance of Z-Wave devices, while continuing the assurance of 100 percent interoperability in the market for all Z-Wave devices.”

As the de facto standard for home area networks, Sigma Designs' Z-Wave is the first technology to bring affordable, reliable and easy-to-use wireless control to every aspect of daily life, including home monitoring and security, home control, entertainment control, healthcare, and energy management. Z-Wave is an award-winning, proven and interoperable wireless mesh networking technology that allows a wide array of devices in and around the home to communicate including lighting, appliances, HVAC, entertainment centers and security systems.

“We are pleased to be able to offer modules based upon Sigma‘s Z-Wave technology,” says Fujio Furukawa, Vice President at Network Devices Business HQ of Mitsumi. “The market for Z-Wave is booming and we want to capitalize on Z-Wave’s global potential. Further, we are very excited to drive Z-Wave further in the Japanese market where the interest in Z-Wave technology has great potential for energy reduction applications.”