Digi-Key to Distribute Panasonic's Smallest ZigBee (TM) Ready Communication Modules.

SECAUCUS, N.J. & THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. -- Panasonic Industrial Company today announced the appointment of Digi-Key as an authorized distributor for its latest in a line of RF modules, the PAN4555. Supporting the 802.15.4 radio standard and the ZigBee [TM] specification, the Panasonic module is designed for various sensing, monitoring and control applications for home automation and industrial control.

Panasonic's PAN4555 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. At a mere 200 square millimeters (12.2 mm x 16.4 mm), the module takes advantage of Freescale's MC13213 System In Package (SIP transceiver/microcontroller). Furthermore, the PAN4555 has 20 digital I/Os with programmable pull-ups. 60k flash and 4k RAM memory, a full Bee Stack application can be run on this tiny module. Options for the on-board antenna or external antennae are available. The entire RF section is shielded to prevent RF leakage and further improve performance.

The PAN4555 complies with FCC part 15, EN300328 and ARIB STD-T66 requirements for 2.4 GHz ISM band. The application profile or program can be developed either in-house or with any third party software development contractor.

"We are very pleased to work 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 are 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 repertoire of ZigBee compliant modules," said Mark Larson, president and COO at Digi-Key. "We are also 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 140 countries worldwide. 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.

Detailed information can be found at:

http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/components/pdf/PAN4555.pdf

About Panasonic Industrial Company's Component Division

Panasonic 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 http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/components.

About Digi-Key Corporation

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 16 consecutive years from among more the 200 distributors in the United States (EE Times Distribution Study/May 2007). Offering more than a million products from more than 350 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 www.digikey.com.