MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM), a leading provider of system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for delivering entertainment and control throughout the home, today announced that Comtrend is the first company to introduce a HomePlug® AV with ClearPath™ Ethernet to powerline bridge. Comtrend is a global supplier of advanced network solutions. Sigma’s revolutionary new ClearPath technology employs MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) features to bring significantly better performance over any other powerline technology currently available.

“Noisy” networks are an ongoing issue with performance over powerline communications. Mobile phone chargers, compact fluorescent lights, and other everyday items heavily impact the throughput of ordinary HomePlug AV solutions and limit the coverage which can be achieved with them. With ClearPath technology, the new Comtrend bridges easily support distribution of multiple HDTV streams in these noisy powerline environments and extend the coverage to rooms located far from the video source.

“We were very impressed with Sigma’s ClearPath technology,” said Robert Yao, vice president of product management at Comtrend. “Once we got it into our labs, we used various noise interfering devices to create a very hostile user environment to verify the ClearPath technology. The results were second to none. A true statement to Sigma’s engineering strength.”

MIMO delivers a substantial improvement in powerline performance because it uses all three wires in a power outlet: the phase, the neutral, and the ground. When noise is present on the line, ClearPath technology seeks out a clear path around the noise. As a result, the solution guarantees up to twice the performance available on the market today. With the improved performance it delivers, networking equipment manufacturers like Comtrend can offer their customers service provider-grade reliable connections over powerline.

“Comtrend is a leading-edge Taiwanese company making products for the connected home market,” said Gabi Hilevitz, vice president and general manager of Sigma Designs’ Home Connectivity Group. “The level of test and development they put into their product line combined with their vendor selection shows their commitment to creating solid products for home networking.”

Additionally, Sigma’s powerline MIMO technology has been designed to fully comply with the recently ratified G.hn specifications.

The solution will be on display at Broadband World Forum in Paris, France in booth D7 from October 26 – October 28, 2010.

Tags/keywords: Sigma Designs, home network, MIMO, ClearPath, Ethernet to powerline bridge, HomePlug AV, Comtrend, Broadband World Forum, G.hn

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs is a leading fabless provider of highly integrated SoC solutions that are used to deliver multimedia entertainment throughout the home. Sigma’s SoC solutions include media processors, home control and communication devices which combine semiconductors and software as critical components of high-growth consumer applications including IPTV-based set-top boxes, gateways, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, entertainment connectivity devices, and RF-based home control devices. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., Sigma Designs also has design centers or sales representatives in Canada, China, Denmark, France, Israel, Japan, Korea (third party), Singapore, and Taiwan. For more information, please visit Sigma Designs’ web site at www.sigmadesigns.com.

Sigma Designs, the Sigma Designs logo, and ClearPath are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sigma Designs, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are believed to be trademarks of their respective owners.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding compatibility with industry standards and the future potential of Sigma’s products and solutions. Actual results may vary materially due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, including continuance of the current economic conditions specific to the ClearPath, HomePlug AV, semiconductor industry, the rate of growth of the telecommunications market, the ramp in demand from Sigma’s telecommunication customers, Sigma’s ability to deploy and achieve market acceptance for Sigma’s products in these markets, the ability of its SoCs to compete with other technologies or products in these emerging markets as well as other risks that are detailed from time to time in Sigma’s SEC reports, including our quarterly report on Form 10-Q as filed September 8, 2010. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Sigma undertakes no obligation to publicly release or otherwise disclose the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made as a result of events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.