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Tzero Unveils the Industry’s First Wireless Solution that Delivers Broadcast-Quality VideoFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tzero Unveils the Industry’s First Wireless Solution that Delivers Broadcast-Quality Video Comparison Performance Testing Shows Tzero’s UWB Technology at 4X Above the 802.11 Pre-n and Draft-n Figures Publicly Available SUNNYVALE, CALIF. – June 12, 2006 – Delivering on the promise of a completely “wire-free home,” Tzero Technologies today introduced the industry’s first and highest-performing solution that delivers broadcast-quality video over wireless networks. The new Tzero TZ 7000 chipset, which begins shipping in July 2006, is the only wireless solution that meets the link reliability and packet error rate requirements defined by Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sharp and Sony. Using the Tzero UWB solution, these consumer electronics manufacturers will be able to provide a completely wireless network for connecting home entertainment systems, computers and other consumer electronic devices within a home or office. “We are currently engaged with all the top consumer electronics, set-top box and residential gateway manufacturers and have been overwhelmed with their response to our video quality, reliability and sheer performance,” said Mike Gulett, president and CEO of Tzero. “As we near production shipments, we anticipate broad and rapid adoption of the TZ 7000, and we’ve set up the infrastructure to handle the explosive growth those designs will bring our company.” “With the popularity of wireless computer networks, consumers and business users are asking how they can link all of their electronic devices wirelessly – whether it's their TVs, iPods, DVRs or game boxes,” said Ben Bajarin, Creative Strategies. “Imagine a cable-free home where most of the boxes in our living rooms today move to a media closet, and TVs and speakers can be placed anywhere without worrying how far the cable will go. The new generation of ultra wideband chipsets coming to market means the ability of consumer electronics companies to deliver on this vision is just around the corner.” “As multimedia distribution reaches into the home, service providers have an opportunity to extend their offerings beyond the cable or satellite connection and deliver wirelessly networked services throughout the household,” said Nicole Klein, analyst for the Yankee Group. “The enabling technology for delivering this new suite of services resides in ultra wideband chipsets with the speed, reliability and non-line-of-site reach to transmit high quality audio and video wirelessly, no matter where consumers locate their PCs and home entertainment systems.” Today, only the Tzero TZ 7000 chipset solution has non-line-of-site operation, which enables devices to communicate wirelessly through walls to extend across multiple rooms. It also features performance up to 10 million times greater than other wireless networks and transmission speeds of up to 480 Mbits per second to support even the highest demands of broadcast-quality video. Able to carry three or more high-definition video streams across a 20-meter range while running at 100Mbits per second, only Tzero supports a completely wireless network that can easily connect multiple devices throughout the home or office at the same time. Tzero Defines the Standard The following chart shows how Tzero meets or exceeds all the requirements set forth by Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony, and Sharp during a presentation to the IEEE in 2003. Attribute CE Requirements Data Networking (WiFi) Requirement Tzero Performance Link reliability 95-98+% 90% >99% Packet error rate 10-8 8% 10-8 Packet errors per 120-minute HD movie Less than 1 7,659,574 Less than 1 Interference robustness Desirable, but no specific requirement Not considered -10 dB Data rate and range >100 Mbps @ 10m LOS1 11 Mbit @ 15m NLOS 106.7 Mbps @ 15-30m NLOS2 1) PC World Magazine, July 2006. 2) Non-line-of-site, including through walls. Tzero UWB Chipset and Reference Design Features The Tzero TZ 7000 UWB offering is a complete chipset solution designed to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs) bring ultra wideband wireless applications for the consumer electronics, PC and peripherals markets quickly and cost effectively. It offers networked connectivity through a ubiquitous IP network, which allows for any-device-to-any-device wireless communication. Supporting the WiMedia Alliance UWB standard, the Tzero solution provides the performance required for real-time video delivery. It also avoids interference from other devices – both in-band (other UWB devices, WiMax, etc.) and out-of-band (microwave ovens, cordless phones, WiFi networks, etc.) which has affected other forms of wireless networks. An optimized, two-chip standard CMOS chipset, the Tzero TZ 7000 solution is a complete wireless subsystem that consists of: • TZ 7110 integrated Baseband mixed-signal system-on-a-chip (SoC), including both the physical (PHYs) and medium access control (MAC) layers • TZ 7210 state-of-the-art radio frequency (RF) chip • Single and multiple antenna solutions optimized for cost and performance • Embedded firmware and application software support for Windows, Linux and other host operating systems The Tzero chipset solution is complemented by Tzero’s UWB Mini-PCI reference design, which speeds the time-to-market launch of ultra wideband-based audio/video systems for wirelessly connecting consumer electronic devices – such as DVD recorders/players, set-top boxes, digital media adapters or PCs – to displays such as televisions (standard definition or high-definition), projectors, and monitors. The reference design uses IP connectivity to enable multiple peer-to-peer connections and supports both single- and multiple-antenna configurations. The Tzero UWB Mini-PCI reference design is available in PCI, Mini-PCI, and PC formats. “Consumer electronics companies recognize the tremendous market potential for wireless networks that can connect everything in the home or office – even devices with the most demanding video and audio needs,” said Rajeev Krishnamoorthy, founder and chief technology officer, Tzero. “To address that opportunity, we’ve used the requirements outlined by some of the world’s leading CE manufacturers as the product specifications for our UWB chipset solution and reference design. The result is the industry’s only complete all-wireless IC solution for delivering broadcast-quality video at optimal speed and without interruption.” Availability Production availability of the TZ 7000 UWB chipset solution and Tzero UWB Mini-PCI reference design begins July 2006. About Tzero Technologies, Inc. Tzero Technologies is the only IC supplier that enables broadcast quality video over wireless networks. Tzero transforms the entire home entertainment system into an easy-to-install wireless network that delivers HD quality video, anywhere. Founded in 2003, Tzero is backed by tier-one venture partners, including August Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, USVP and VentureTech Alliance. Tzero is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. For more information, visit Tzero online at www.tzerotech.com. ### PR Contact: Teena Touch Blanc & Otus 415.856.5126 [email protected] ADDENDUM: Industry comments on Tzero Technologies: “There is a huge market need right now for wireless distribution of high-quality video throughout the home. Tzero Technologies promises all consumers the capability of wireless distribution of multi-channel high-definition home theater from any room in the home, to any other. The consumer electronics OEMs in Korea are anxious for this solution, and in the end, it will be a strong differentiator for the ones which rapidly adopt this technology.” JK Hong, president and CEO, FM COM Corp. “Consumer electronics OEMs and consumers alike have been looking for a wireless connectivity solution that provides the same user experience (quality, reliability and performance) as wired solutions. The Tzero Technology UWB products seem to meet all these requirements. Adding wireless to a CE product is always challenging but by cooperating with Tzero, our joint platforms should offer significant advantages in platform simplicity, performance and cost.” Dave Pederson, vice president corporate marketing, Zoran “Establishing exacting quality and reliability standards is critical as the market for UWB wireless multimedia connectivity evolves from the technology development stage to volume production. Test equipment from Tektronix and our work with Tzero will enable product development teams to speed time-to-market for UWB-based wireless consumer products.” Colin Shepard, vice president, performance oscilloscopes, Tektronix "Tzero Technologies has demonstrated extraordinary performance of UWB enabling wireless transmission of High-Definition video streams. Tzero's innovative UltraMIMO technology, together with OMRON Corporation's unique, free-shape antenna technology, enables a very compelling wireless solution for consumers of High Definition entertainment that meet consumer thresholds for cable replacement. We have been working very closely with Tzero to further integrate this solution and satisfy the needs of global consumer electronics manufacturers." Thomas Kurian, vice president, new technologies & markets, OMRON Advanced Systems, Inc “Our customers have asked us for a high-quality, cost-effective means for delivering high-definition content to consumer equipment wirelessly. We believe the Tzero solution provides what our customers need and that the Tzero products will play a leading role in enabling next generation of wireless connectivity.” Gabi Hilevitz, CEO, CopperGate “The customers for our high definition audio and video compression/decompression products are on a quest to find a wireless networking solution which enables broadcast quality video. By working with Tzero Technologies we jointly provide broadcast quality video without wires, best-in-class compression/decompression technology and rapid time to market with our reference design.” Keri Waters, director of strategic marketing, Micronas USA, Inc. “UWB is an important technology for accessing additional spectrum worldwide and for moving traffic that traditional narrow band links can’t. Just as WiFi has proven to be explosively high growth for wireless data networking, UWB will achieve similar growth for applications like high-definition video networking. Utilizing wide spectrum bands is sometimes the only practical way to provide robustness at high bandwidths. By focusing on the areas where UWB links make their greatest technical contributions, Tzero has built uniquely upon these advantages to deliver a product that meets the requirements of consumer electronics manufacturers now and for the foreseeable future.” Andy Rappaport, general partner with August Capital |