The "2006 IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award" has been conferred on Richard Citta, research chief at Micronas, as well as Wayne Bretl and Wayne Luplow of Zenith Electronics. The honour was conferred for the development of a digital transmission system for television signals. This system is the foundation for High-Definition-TV (HDTV), which makes possible interruption free transmission of television signals with minimum interference. The "IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award" was introduced in 1987 by the Board of Directors of the IEEE to reward outstanding performance in the field of consumer electronics. The award is made annually to an individual person or a team of one to three persons.