Freescale Endorses Continua Health Alliance’s Selection of ZigBee Wireless

New wireless standards will enhance telemedicine connectivity for fixed, wearable and portable health care devices

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Freescale Semiconductor has endorsed the recent certification of the ZigBee^® Health Care standard by the Continua Health Alliance, a coalition of leading health care and technology companies joined to improve the quality of personal health care. ZigBee Health Care is one of the two low power wireless standards recently adopted by Continua. With approximately 60 percent market share, Freescale is the No. 1 provider of IEEE^® 802.15.4 products, the core technology on which ZigBee platforms are developed.

“The power efficiency and ease of development with Freescale’s ZigBee technology makes it ideal for connecting telemedicine devices in home and health care networks”

Freescale sensors, energy-efficient embedded processors and battery-saving power management technologies are used extensively in pulse-oximeters, glucose meters, insulin pumps, infusion pumps, blood pressure monitors and personal monitoring products such as activity monitors, gait sensors and wearable panic alarms. All of these are devices the Continua Health Alliance has identified as critical to addressing the health care market’s growing needs. Many of these products use wired or wireless connectivity, including IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee technology.

“The power efficiency and ease of development with Freescale’s ZigBee technology makes it ideal for connecting telemedicine devices in home and health care networks,” said Brett Black, manager of Freescale’s Wireless Connectivity Organization. “Continua’s selection of the ZigBee standard demonstrates the growing value of ZigBee in the health care industry.”

Designed to address the need for low cost, low power wireless solutions, IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee have grown to provide a solid foundation for monitoring and controlling networks. Freescale offers a range of advanced solutions for the healthcare, wellness and sports and fitness markets.

The ZigBee Health Care standard provides a global, open standard for interoperable wireless devices enabling secure monitoring and management of noncritical, low-acuity health care services targeted at chronic disease management, obesity and aging. It provides full support for IEEE 11073 devices. The standard is designed for use in homes, fitness centers, retirement communities, nursing homes and a variety of medical care facilities. It meets the requirements of consumers, service providers, care providers, payers, product manufacturers and policymakers. ZigBee Health Care certified products can interact with other ZigBee certified products found in residential and commercial settings. Visit www.zigbee.org/healthcare for more information.

About ZigBee

ZigBee is the global wireless language connecting dramatically different devices to work together and enhance everyday life. The ZigBee Alliance is a non-profit association of more than 300 member companies driving development of ZigBee wireless technology. The Alliance promotes worldwide adoption of ZigBee as the leading wirelessly networked, sensing and control standard for use in consumer electronics, energy, health care, home, commercial and industrial areas. For more information, visit: www.zigbee.org.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking 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.

Reader Inquiry Response

Freescale Semiconductor

P.O. Box 17927

Denver, CO 80217 USA

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