OMRON Develops UWB Antenna with Filter-Assist Functionality Optimized for WiMedia Alliance BandGroup 1; Selected for Use in Sigma Designs Windeo UWB Chipset.

Tokyo, Japan, Jan 16, 2007 - (JCN Newswire) - OMRON Corporation (TSE: 6645, US: OMRNY) has announced the introduction of a new surface-mounting polymeric antenna, the WXA-N2SL, the third model in its lineup of polymeric antennas for UWB[1] communications. In anticipation of the first wave of UWB-enabled consumer electronics, which will function exclusively in the WiMedia Alliance[2] UWB BandGroup 1 (BG1 3.1-4.9 GHz) frequency band, the new antenna is optimized specifically for this bandwidth. Additionally, the antenna's ability to suppress out-of-band noise by 50% or more enables high-quality communications between wireless USB dongles, hubs, personal computers, mobile equipment and digital home appliances even under adverse, noisy real-world conditions. The WXA-N2SL antenna will be manufactured at OMRON's Kusatsu Factory in Shiga prefecture, Japan, and is available for sale immediately in mass production volumes.

UWB communications provide a convenient means of rapidly transmitting large volumes of data over short distances with low power consumption. As a result, this technology has attracted considerable attention as a solution to meet growing consumer demand for wireless integration of multiple entertainment devices in the home.

The first WiMedia Alliance-certified UWB products are expected to operate in the 3.1 to 4.9 GHz frequency range. Until now, a separate filter circuit was required to suppress interference from other electronic appliances and unwanted radiation outside the UWB range. However, the WXA-N2SL has been developed with a "filter-assist" function allowing it to independently suppress this out-of-band noise.

The WXA-N2SL antenna has been selected for use in California-based UWB chipset vendor Sigma Designs' Windeo(R) UWB Chipset with Intelligent Array Radio(TM)." Wireless high-definition A/V streaming is a real-time application that requires high performance radio and antenna to seamlessly deliver content without interference over an extended range", said Hung Nguyen, General Manager and Vice President of Sigma Designs' Wireless Products Division. "To that end, OMRON's WXA-N2SL antennas are designed to offer the ability to leverage Sigma Designs' Intelligent Array Radio(TM) Technology[3] with multiple radios. Radio and antenna choices are critical factors that determine the robustness of the end product." The OMRON WXA-N2SL antenna was successfully demonstrated with Sigma Design's Windeo(R) reference boards in a private suite at CES 2007.

Features

1. A polymeric antenna with built-in "filter-assist" function optimized for WiMedia BandGroup 1.

2. Optimized for WiMedia(TM) UWB[2] and Certified Wireless USB specifications.

3. Compact size achieved by OMRON's proprietary dielectric polymer molding technology.

OMRON's Wireless, High-frequency Devices

OMRON launched the WXZ-N1SL SMD polymeric antenna for UWB communications on June 1, 2006, as the first of its Wi-PlaDs(TM)[4] line of wireless, high-frequency devices. As previously announced, the S1, a UWB polymer antenna for transmitting high-definition video signals, is scheduled for launch in the spring of 2007. By maximizing the advantages of polymer antennas, which allow highly flexible designs and mass production, OMRON will market a wide variety of Wi-PlaDs(TM) devices, such as antennas that are adaptable to various equipment shapes.

Wi-PlaDs(TM) Antenna Specifications

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                 Latest Product    Previously Announced Products
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Model no.        WXA-N2SL          WXA-N1SL         WXA-S1FL

Release date     January 16, 2007  June 1, 2006     Spring 2007

Size (LxWxH)     13x10x1.2 mm      12x5x1.1 mm      PHY 23x39.5 mm

Frequency range  3.1 to 4.9 GHz    3.1 to 4.9 GHz   3.1 to 4.9 GHz

VSWR             2.5 max.          2.5 max          3.0 max.
                (3.1 to 4.9GHz)   (3.1 to 4.9GHz)  (3.1 to 4.9 GHz)
                 6.0 min.
                (7.0 to 10.6GHz)

Gain             0 dBi max.        0 dBi max.       0 dBi max.

Flatness for
 each bandwidth  None              None             3 dB max.
                                                    (ref. value)

Omni directivity None              None             2 dB max.
                                                    (ref. value)

Potential        Digital TVs       USB dongles/hubs Digital TVs
 applications    Set top boxes     Digital cameras  Set top boxes
                 USB dongles/hubs  Printers         HD-DVD/
                 Printers                            Blu-ray discs
                                                    HDD recorders

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[1] UWB is a next-generation, short-distance, high-speed, wireless transmission technology that uses signals in the ultra-wideband range. Expected applications include wireless USB and video signal transmission. UWB use by the private sector was authorized in the U.S.A. in 2002, and legislation to allow its use by the private sector was passed in Japan in August 2006.

[2] WiMedia is a registered trademark of the WiMedia Alliance. The WiMedia Alliance is a not-for-profit open industry association that promotes and enables the rapid adoption, regulation, standardization, and multi-vendor interoperability of ultra-wideband (UWB) worldwide.

[3] Windeo and Intelligent Array Radio are trademarks of Sigma Designs (NASD: SIGM). The Windeo(TM) Chipset together with its patent-pending Intelligent Array Radi0(TM)(IAR) technologies is the world's first multiple-radio UWB technology that offers reliable Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) video streaming with superior quality over extended range (2X that of comparable UWB chipsets), with support for up to three antennas.

[4] Wi-PlaDs is a registered trademark of OMRON Corporation for its wireless, high-frequency devices. The name derives from "Wireless Polymeric advanced Devices." All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About OMRON Corporation

Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, OMRON Corporation (TSE: 6645; NYSE: OMRNY) is a global leader in the field of automation. Established in 1933 and headed by President and CEO Hisao Sakuta, OMRON has more than 28,000 employees in over 35 countries working to provide products and services to customers in a variety of fields including industrial automation, electronic components, social systems (ticket gate machines, ticket vending machines, and traffic control) and healthcare. The company is divided into five regions and head offices are in Japan (Kyoto), Asia Pacific (Singapore), China (Shanghai), Europe (Amsterdam) and US (Chicago). For more information, visit OMRON's website at www.omron.com

Source: OMRON Corporation

Contact:

Sales-related Enquiries

Masaharu Tsujimoto
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
WiPlaDs website : http://www.omron.com/ecb/products/whfd/index.html

Press-related Enquiries

James Seddon
OMRON Corporate Brand Communications Department
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

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