News

News Releases
2004

PICMG Executives Approve Development of Five New Initiatives
PICMG’s Popular AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshop Series Continues – Now Includes Advanced Mezzanine Card
PSMA and PICMG Form Alliance to Advance Power Supply Developments
PICMG's Eighth AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshop Focuses on Backplanes and Base Fabrics
AdvancedTCA Showcase at SuperComm Highlights Products from 28 Companies and Includes Three Multi-vendor Interopability Demos
AdvancedTCA Technology Showcased at SuperComm 2004
High Speed Backplane Testing is Focus of PICMG's Latest Successful AdvancedTCA Interoperabilty Workshop
PICMG Kicks Off AdvancedTCA Classification Working Group to Streamline Product Selection Process
PICMG’s Sixth AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshop Focuses on System Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Rob Davidson, PICMG, (805) 542-0999
davidson@picmg.org

PICMG EXECUTIVES APPROVE DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE NEW INITIATIVES

New Specs build on PCI Express and AdvancedTCA

WAKEFIELD, Mass., October 26, 2004 – The PICMG® Executive member companies gave the go ahead for the development of several new initiatives by formally approving new subcommittees at their recent meeting in Boston last month. The approval of new subcommittees and their statement of work enable them to formally move forward with their development work under the PICMG specification development process.

“The number and scope of the new initiatives is very exciting,” said Rob Davidson, VP Marketing for PICMG. “I see it as a strong vote of confidence for the efficiency and robustness of PICMG as an organization and the strength of our processes,” he continued.

PICMG specifications usually take approximately a year from subcommittee formation to specification approval.

Full details of specifications underway, including the ones just approved can be obtained by visiting www.picmg.org and clicking on “New Initiatives.”

The activities recently approved are:

PICMG 1.3 PCI Express® on Passive Backplane, called “SHB Express™”– will enable the development of passive backplanes and separate CPU cards that will work with standard PCI Express add-in cards.

AMC.3 Storage Interfaces for AdvancedMC™. – Extends the current Advanced Mezzanine Card initiative (AMC.0) to add specific storage interfaces.

EXP.0 – CompactPCI Express™ – Maps PCI Express Electrical signals into the 3U CompactPCI® form factor and defines plug in CPU and peripheral cards.

COM.0. Small form factor PCI Express based modules, called “COM Express™” - Proposal for Modular small form factor for PCI express for CPU modules.

PICMG 3.5 Serial RapidIO® on AdvancedTCA® - Adds Serial Rapid IO to the PICMG 3.x family of specifications as an optional extended fabric.

About PICMG
Founded in 1994 as the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group, PICMG is a consortium of over 400 companies that collaboratively develops open specifications for high performance telecommunications and industrial computing applications. The members of the consortium have a long history of developing leading edge products for these industries. For more information on AdvancedTCA or to view a short form version of the 3.0 specification, visit http://www.advancedtca.org/.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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PICMG, CompactPCI, and AdvancedTCA are registered trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. AdvancedMC is a trademark of PICMG. PCI Express is a trademark of the PCI SIG. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Rob Davidson, PICMG, (805) 542-0999
davidson@picmg.org

PICMG’s Popular AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshop Series Continues – Now Includes Advanced Mezzanine Card

WAKEFIELD, Mass., Sept. 27, 2004 – PICMG® member companies completed the ninth AdvancedTCA® interoperability workshop (known as AIW) at the NMS Communications facility in Framingham, Mass. This four-day workshop continued the AdvancedTCA interoperability testing and added the preliminary products based on the pending Advanced Mezzanine Card (AdvancedMC™) specification to the mix.

PICMG’s series of AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshops is testing the multi-vendor interoperability of new products designed to the AdvancedTCA specifications. These workshops have enabled companies to test everything from mechanical tolerances and slot cooling to shelf management and electronic keying. At this most recent event, hosted by NMS Communications, participants tested shelf management in multi-board, multi-vendor configurations and PICMG 3.1 Ethernet fabric and backplane signal integrity. The backplane signal integrity test services were provided by North East Systems Associates, Inc.

The Advanced Mezzanine Card specification is in the final PICMG approval process with products expected on the market this year. This interoperability workshop enabled suppliers with early prototypes to test the form/fit of modules and carriers, test AdvancedMC Carrier Boards with the AdvancedTCA shelf management, and some AdvancedMC module/carrier power-up and interconnect testing. Key learnings from this testing will help refine the specification before its release.

"Interoperability testing is key to assuring that the AdvancedMC specification is unambiguously defined to maximize compatibility and position future products for wide market adoption," said Mark Summers of Intel, the AdvancedMC subcommittee chair.

In the AIW environment, specification details are tested and any inconsistencies are resolved through a process of hands-on cooperative system testing by architects, engineers and designers from OEMs, in a protected and confidential environment. Participation is limited to those PICMG members with equipment to test. The workshops have been successful in identifying corrections and refinements to be incorporated in the future revisions of the specification.

PICMG member companies participating in this workshop included: APW Electronic Solutions, Artesyn Communication Products, Asis Ltd., Bustronic Corporation, Carlo Gavazzi Mupac Computing Solutions, Diversified Technology, GNP, Intel® Corporation, Kaparel Corporation, Motorola, Inc., Embedded Communications Computing Group, NMS Communications, North East Systems Associates, Inc., Pentair/Schroff, Pigeon Point Systems, Portwell Inc., SBS Technologies, Inc., Sanmina-SCI Corporation, and Yamaichi Electronics. At the conclusion of the interoperability workshop, NMS Communications hosted a tour of the test area for other PICMG companies.

The AdvancedTCA and AdvancedMC specifications for next-generation telecommunications equipment are aimed at further expanding the market for off-the-shelf, modular platform solutions for carrier grade communications equipment. PICMG also expects to see interest in AdvancedTCA in other industries, such as data communications and military equipment.

Anyone with an interest in AdvancedTCA technology may subscribe to PICMG's AdvancedTCA reflector (or listserv) at no charge – instructions on joining the list are on the Web at http://www.picmg.org/v2internal/newinitiative.htm#Reflector. Companies manufacturing products that comply with AdvancedTCA specifications, whether or not they are members of PICMG, are invited to list them in PICMG's free online product directory, at www.picmg.org/picmg_cfmfiles/generalv4/search1.cfm?bus=AdvancedTCA.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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PICMG, CompactPCI, and AdvancedTCA are registered trademarks and AdvancedMC is a trademark of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

Editorial Contact:
Power Sources Manufacturers Association
Joe Horzepa, Executive Director
973.543.9660 • 973.543.6207 (FAX)
power@psma.com

Media Contact:
WelComm, Inc.
Greg Evans, President
858. 279.2100 • 858. 279.5400 (FAX)
greg@welcomm.com

PSMA and PICMG Form Alliance to Advance Power Supply Developments

Mendham, NJ - August 25, 2004 - The Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) announces that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) intended to foster collaboration and information exchange between the two organizations. The collaboration outlined in the MOU will provide suppliers of power source products (PSMA members) with market insights from users while at the same time providing users (PICMG members) with improved information about current and evolving power source technology. As part of the alliance, reciprocal Affiliate Membership will be afforded to each organization.

According to Gino Nanninga, VP Sales for Positronic Industries, “PCMIG will maintain a liaison group known as the PICMG/PSMA Advisory Group to act as a hub for exchange of information between PSMA and PICMG. The group will be made up of Executive Members of PICMG and Regular or Associate Members of PSMA.”

“As part of our collaboration, PICMG will create a separate Power Supply category in its online Power Directory,” said Kevin Parmenter, ON Semiconductor’s Director of Central operations, speaking for PSMA. “All PSMA members companies will be urged to list their power supply and power conversion products on this site.”

As part of the agreement, each organization will authorize use of each other’s trademarks and logos, share documents and cross-link their websites.

About PSMA
The Power Sources Manufacturers Association is an active organization consisting of power supply manufacturers, users, power component suppliers, academics and consultants, interested in furthering the cause of the power supply industry. Started in 1984, it is a non-profit, democratic and participative organization, whose main and common goal is to enhance the stature of the power supply industry and provide education and information about this unique industry through published reports, educational seminars, technical workshops and conference exhibits. PSMA provides leadership to the industry through its members, which include most major power supply companies. www.psma.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Judith Vanderkay, Virtual, Inc., (781) 876-6208
jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com

Visit the AdvancedTCA Showcase in Booth #13540
at SuperComm, McCormick Place, Chicago, June 20-24

PICMG's EIGHTH ADVANCEDTCA INTEROPERABILITY WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON BACKPLANES AND BASE FABRICS

WAKEFIELD, Mass. -- June 22, 2004 – Twenty PICMG® member companies – the largest participation yet -- wrapped up the eighth AdvancedTCA® Interoperability Workshop at a Lucent Technologies facility in Lisle, Ill. last Friday. This workshop was focused on the interoperability of systems utilizing the Ethernet fabric, as defined by PICMG specification 3.1, and backplane performance testing.

PICMG's series of AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshops is testing the multi-vendor interoperability of new products designed to the AdvancedTCA specifications. These workshops have enabled companies to test everything from mechanical tolerances and slot cooling to shelf management and electronic keying. At this most recent event, hosted by Lucent Technologies, participants reconfirmed previous areas of interoperability with an expanding collection of new AdvancedTCA components, while continuing to add new areas of interoperability testing.

"AdvancedTCA is the new PICMG specification that, along with the current PICMG 2.16 open specification, is targeted toward carrier grade communications equipment," said David Ayers, Lucent Technologies vice president, Supply Chain Networks. "Lucent took a leadership role in the one-year development of AdvancedTCA with initial requirements and architectural concepts and has supported it since it was finalized more than a year ago. We were pleased to be the first network infrastructure provider to host a PICMG AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshop earlier this month at our R&D facility in Lisle, Ill., and we were impressed with the progress shown."

Most of the member companies at this workshop can also be seen this week at the AdvancedTCA Showcase at SuperComm in Chicago, in Booth #13540. Many are participating in the interoperability demonstrations at the show.

In the AdvancedTCA workshop environment, specification details are tested and any inconsistencies are resolved through a process of hands-on cooperative system testing by architects, engineers and designers from OEMs, in a protected and confidential environment. Participation is limited to those PICMG members with equipment to test. The workshops have been successful in identifying corrections and refinements to be incorporated in the future revisions of the specification.

"This interoperability workshop was very beneficial in providing specification validation and interoperability testing with other suppliers," said Jeff Munch, PICMG 3.0 Technical Subcommittee Chair and ADLINK Technology CTO. "It really helped decrease our development time significantly."

PICMG member companies ADLINK Technology Inc., Agilent Technology, APW Electronic Solutions, Asis, Bustronic, Carlo Gavazzi Mupac, Diversified Technology Inc, Elma Electronic, Inc., Force Computers Inc., GNP Computers, Intel Corporation, Motorola Computer Group, NMS Communications, Pentair/Schroff, PFU Limited, Pigeon Point Systems, RadiSys Corporation, Kaparel Corporation, UXComm and ZNYX Networks participated in this workshop. Additional interoperability workshops will be scheduled.

"The detailed preparation and testing carried out at this latest AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshop were the foundation of the impressive live demonstrations at this week's AdvancedTCA Showcase at SuperComm," said Joe Pavlat, PICMG's President. "The record number of companies participating in the workshop, and the 28 companies participating in the Showcase, demonstrate the impressively fast adoption of the AdvancedTCA architecture."

The AdvancedTCA specifications for next-generation telecommunications equipment are aimed at further expanding the market for off-the-shelf, modular platform solutions for carrier grade communications equipment. PICMG also expects to see interest in AdvancedTCA in other industries, such as data communications and military equipment.

Anyone with an interest in AdvancedTCA technology may subscribe to PICMG's AdvancedTCA reflector (or listserv) at no charge – instructions on joining the list are on the Web at www.picmg.org/v2internal/newinitiative.htm#Reflector. Companies manufacturing products that comply with AdvancedTCA specifications, whether or not they are members of PICMG, are invited to list them in PICMG's free online product directory, at www.picmg.org/picmg_cfmfiles/generalv4/search1.cfm?bus=AdvancedTCA.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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PICMG, CompactPCI, and AdvancedTCA are registered trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Judith Vanderkay, Virtual, Inc., (781) 876-6208
jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com

Visit the AdvancedTCA Showcase in Booth #13540
at SuperComm, McCormick Place, Chicago, June 20-24

ADVANCEDTCA SHOWCASE AT SUPERCOMM
HIGHLIGHTS PRODUCTS FROM 28 COMPANIES AND INCLUDES
THREE MULTI-VENDOR INTEROPERABILITY DEMOS

CHICAGO – June 21, 2004 – Demonstrating the wide availability of AdvancedTCA products, PICMG®'s AdvancedTCA® Showcase (SuperComm Booth #13540) houses 28 member companies exhibiting an impressive range of AdvancedTCA products from components to complete systems. The Showcase is the site of three different live demonstrations of AdvancedTCA's powerful architecture in action. These sophisticated multi-vendor AdvancedTCA product interoperability demos will run throughout the show.

The AdvancedTCA (Advanced Telecomm Computing Architecture) specifications for next-generation telecommunications equipment are expanding the market for standardized, off-the-shelf, modular platform solutions for carrier grade communications equipment. The architecture is being selected for a wide range of applications, including optical transport, IP routers, wireless base stations, voice gateways, DSLAMs, softswitches and server farms.

AdvancedTCA was ratified by PICMG in early 2003. The Showcase demonstrates the remarkable speed at which new products are coming to market and how they are delivering on the original promise of high functionality and interoperability.

The AdvancedTCA System Management demonstration features a notebook PC in the center of the Showcase interacting with several AdvancedTCA chassis from different vendors over a wireless network. The notebook PC receives information from each chassis about its status and health from such devices as fans, filters, CPU and switch boards and alarms, and may initiate commands to each of these devices related to remote control and remote interaction. It clearly demonstrates the functionality that is now demanded from most network equipment. and how it can be delivered in an open and modular platform.

The Next Generation Multi-media Communications demonstration implements many of the features of next generation networks, with many interconnected AdvancedTCA chassis in the AdvancedTCA booth and in member company booths elsewhere on the SuperComm show floor. A remote content origination provider serves as an end-point for applications such as VoIP, Video on Demand server, video conferencing and a security surveillance camera video stream. This demo proves out the potential of the AdvancedTCA platform to function as a Central Office IP-PBX with other end-points connecting via Ethernet or wireless.

Finally, the Cluster demonstration highlights the scalability of ATCA architecture. It consists of single board computer (SBC) blades and open-source middleware configured in a computing cluster across several chassis in which a computationally demanding graphics application can leverage excess cycles on the SBC blades. The demo utilizes a computationally intensive scripting language to create very high resolution images -- adding or subtracting resources adjusts the rate at which the image is rendered. The demo is controlled from the center of the Showcase by an SBC that monitors the rendering software and the cluster management middleware.

"These complex and imaginative demonstrations show that the AdvancedTCA ecosystem is quickly evolving to support tomorrow's challenging applications as well as today's,” said PICMG President Joe Pavlat. “AdvancedTCA's powerful and flexible architecture has enabled a broad range of products already on the ground, and will lead to an even broader range of implementations in the coming months.”

AdvancedTCA Showcase participants include ADLINK Technologies; Agilent; APW Electronic Solutions; Artesyn Technologies; Asis; BATM/Telco; CG Mupac; Diversified Technology; Elma/Bustronic; Extrusion Technology, Inc.; Force Computers; GNP Computers, Inc.; Intel® Corporation; Kaparel Corporation, a Rittal company; Mercury Computer Systems; Motorola Computer Group; Network Modules; NMS Communications; ON Semiconductor; Pentair/Schroff; Pigeon Point Systems; Pinnacle Data Systems; Portwell; RadiSys; SBS Technologies; TeraChip; Teradiant Networks and Tracewell Systems.

Complementing the technology on display in the AdvancedTCA Showcase is a day-long AdvancedTCA Technical Track on Wednesday, June 23, open to all SuperComm attendees. There is no charge for the Forum, but space is limited -- those interested in attending must register at www.picmg.org/ and obtain a confirmation to use as a ticket to the sessions.

PICMG offers ongoing education and information on AdvancedTCA to the general public as well as to its member constituency. Anyone with an interest in AdvancedTCA technology may subscribe to PICMG's AdvancedTCA reflector (or listserver) at no charge – instructions on joining the list are at www.picmg.org/v2internal/newinitiative.htm#Reflector. Companies manufacturing products that comply with AdvancedTCA specifications, whether or not they are members of PICMG, are invited to list them in the free online product directory at www.picmg.org/picmg_cfmfiles/generalv4/search1.cfm?bus=AdvancedTCA.

About PICMG
Founded in 1994 as the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group, PICMG is a consortium of over 400 companies that collaboratively develops open specifications for high performance telecommunications and industrial computing applications. The members of the consortium have a long history of developing leading edge products for these industries. For more information on AdvancedTCA or to view a short form version of the PICMG 3.0 specification, visit http://www.advancedtca.org.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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PICMG, CompactPCI, and AdvancedTCA are registered trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Judith Vanderkay, Virtual, Inc., (781) 876-6208
jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com

Visit the AdvancedTCA Showcase in Booth #13540
at SuperComm, McCormick Place, Chicago, June 20-24

ADVANCEDTCA TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASED AT SUPERCOMM 2004

WAKEFIELD, Mass., June 2, 2004 – PICMG®’s AdvancedTCA® (Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture) technology and its burgeoning network of suppliers and products will be highlighted at this year's SuperComm event, June 20-24 in Chicago.

The AdvancedTCA Showcase (Booth #13540) has 28 member companies exhibiting an impressive range of AdvancedTCA products from components to complete systems. A sophisticated live multi-vendor AdvancedTCA product interoperability demonstration will be shown throughout the show. Visitors to the Showcase will see AdvancedTCA's powerful architecture in action, both as individual products and as interoperating system elements.

The AdvancedTCA specifications for next-generation telecommunications equipment are expanding the market for standardized, off-the-shelf, modular platform solutions for carrier grade communications equipment. The architecture is being selected for a wide range of applications, including optical transport, IP routers, wireless base stations, voice gateways, DSLAMs, softswitches and server farms.

"The high level of interest in AdvancedTCA from telecom equipment manufacturers and carriers has resulted in the rapid development of a wide range of components, software, and systems,” said PICMG President Joe Pavlat. “In less than 18 months after the standard was completed we can fill a pavilion with real interoperable products that address immediate applications.”

AdvancedTCA Showcase participants include ADLINK Technologies; Agilent; APW Electronic Solutions; Artesyn Technologies; Asis; BATM/Telco; CG Mupac; Diversified Technology; Elma/Bustronic; Extrusion Technology, Inc.; Force Computers; GNP Computers, Inc.; Intel® Corporation; Kaparel Corporation, a Rittal company; Motorola Computer Group; Network Modules; NMS Communications; ON Semiconductor; Pentair/Schroff; Pigeon Point Systems; Pinnacle Data Systems; Portwell; RadiSys; TeraChip; Teradiant Networks, Tracewell Systems, and UXComm.

Complementing the technology on display in the AdvancedTCA Showcase is a day-long AdvancedTCA Technical Track on Wednesday, June 23, open to all SuperComm attendees at no charge (advance registration required). The sessions will include:

An AdvancedTCA Tutorial organized by Chuck Byers, Bells Labs Fellow, Lucent Technologies, with speakers from Pentair Electronic Packaging, Rittal, Pigeon Point Systems and Intel Corp.
A case study of Korea Telecom's pilot evaluation of AdvancedTCA-based platforms
A panel on the various backplane options available for AdvancedTCA, with representatives from the ASI SIG, RapidIO and InfiniBand®
A discussion of what service providers need to know about AdvancedTCA, with speakers from Agere, RadiSys and Artesyn
A session of OEMs sharing their experiences using AdvancedTCA, including NMS Communications, Siemens and HP

There is no charge for the Forum, but space is limited and demand is high, so those interested in attending must register at www.picmg.org/ to reserve a place and obtain a confirmation to use as the ticket to the sessions. (Note: attendees must also be registered for SuperComm itself to attend the Forum; show registration is available at no charge through the link above, until June 16.)

"SuperComm will be the host of the first full-day public AdvancedTCA Forum, and we are pleased that the program includes not only participants in AdvancedTCA development and OEMs, but also representatives of customer companies," said Eric Mantion, Senior Analyst, In-Stat/MDR. "Now that the groundwork has been laid for AdvancedTCA, we will bring the most pertinent information of this revolutionary technology directly to carriers."

PICMG offers ongoing education and information on AdvancedTCA to the general public as well as to its member constituency. Anyone with an interest in AdvancedTCA technology may subscribe to PICMG's AdvancedTCA reflector (or listserver) at no charge – instructions on joining the list are at http://www.picmg.org/v2internal/newinitiative.htm#Reflector. Companies manufacturing products that comply with AdvancedTCA specifications, whether or not they are members of PICMG, are invited to list them in PICMG's free online product directory, at http://www.picmg.org/picmg_cfmfiles/generalv4/search1.cfm?bus=AdvancedTCA.

About PICMG
Founded in 1994 as the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group, PICMG is a consortium of over 400 companies that collaboratively develops open specifications for high performance telecommunications and industrial computing applications. The members of the consortium have a long history of developing leading edge products for these industries. For more information on AdvancedTCA or to view a short form version of the PICMG 3.0 specification, visit http://www.advancedtca.org/.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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PICMG, CompactPCI, and AdvancedTCA are registered trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. InfiniBand is a registered trademark of the InfiniBand Trade Association.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Judith Vanderkay, Virtual, Inc., (781) 876-6208
jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com

HIGH SPEED BACKPLANE TESTING IS FOCUS OF PICMG’S LATEST SUCCESSFUL ADVANCEDTCA INTEROPERABILITY WORKSHOP

WAKEFIELD, Mass., March 29, 2004 – Additional signal integrity testing designed to validate high speed backplane design highlighted PICMG®’s most recent successful AdvancedTCA® (Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture) backplane characterization and design validation workshop, held during the week of March 18th.

The second of seven AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshops to focus on backplanes, the workshop has provided additional interconnect data that will ensure ATCA system interoperability and enable the migration to higher data rates in the future.

This event, hosted by Agilent Technologies at its Andover, Mass. facility, expanded on prior workshops to focus on backplane signal integrity tests, with Agilent providing test equipment and expertise to run multiple AdvancedTCA backplanes through a series of signal integrity tests at frequencies up to five gigahertz.

“The signal integrity testing facilitated by Agilent provided essential empirical data necessary to validate our AdvancedTCA backplane simulation models. In addition, the group discussions during the testing exercises are helping PICMG provide a comprehensive characterization of this fabric interconnect as defined by the AdvancedTCA core specification,” said Michael Munroe, PICMG Officer.

“Detailed interconnect characterization data is of increasing interest to system designers implementing serial fabrics at three gigabits per second and beyond,” said Peter Rienzo, Agilent’s project leader. “Workshops like this provide the objective results that validate the design and manufacturing processes and enable forward progress within the working group.”

In the AdvancedTCA workshop environment, PICMG member company engineers discuss technical issues, validate specification guidelines and propose improvements. The workshop affords a protected and positive environment because participation is limited to those PICMG members with equipment to test.

The available resources, participation by committed PICMG members and presence of experienced test engineers combine to create an ideal shared-learning environment. The workshops have been very successful in identifying necessary corrections and refinements that may be incorporated in the next revision of the core specification and a third-generation backplane test document.

Representatives of seven PICMG member companies and three test organizations met at Agilent for a week of intensive testing. Thirteen different AdvancedTCA backplanes were put through a rigorous suite of electrical performance tests by the participants. The AdvancedTCA specification defines a variety of backplane topologies and slot lengths; backplanes at this workshop varied from two to 16 slots in length, including a 16-slot full mesh, a number of replicated meshes and a wide variety of star and dual star implementations.

Participants at the March workshop included APW, Bustronic Corporation, Carlo Gavazzi Mupac, Comtel Electronics GmbH, Intel Corporation , Pentair-Schroff and Rittal-Kaparel. In addition to Agilent Technologies, North East Systems Associates and Eval-Solutions, both of Westford, Mass., provided technical input.

“Seven Interoperability Workshops have been held, with each focusing on a separate part of the AdvancedTCA specification. This Workshop focused on backplane performance of the high speed switched fabric, and its success demonstrates the quality of the original design and simulation studies,” said Joe Pavlat, PICMG President.

The AdvancedTCA specifications for next-generation telecommunications equipment are aimed at further expanding the market for off-the-shelf, modular platform solutions for carrier grade communications equipment. Applications that have already been drawn to the new architecture include military electronics, enterprise level communication, blade servers and advanced acoustical signal processing.

Other specifications in the AdvancedTCA series cover the mapping of various high speed serial fabrics to the AdvancedTCA platform: PICMG 3.1 for Ethernet, PICMG 3.2 for InfiniBand, PICMG 3.3 for StarFabric and PICMG 3.4 for PCI Express™ architecture. Additional specifications are in development.

Anyone with an interest in AdvancedTCA technology may subscribe to PICMG's AdvancedTCA reflector (or listserv) at no charge – instructions on joining the list are on the Web at http://www.picmg.org/v2internal/newinitiative.htm#Reflector. Companies manufacturing products that comply with AdvancedTCA specifications, even non-members of PICMG, are invited to list them in PICMG's free online product directory, at http://www.picmg.org/picmg_cfmfiles/generalv4/search1.cfm?bus=AdvancedTCA.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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PICMG, CompactPCI, and AdvancedTCA are registered trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. InfiniBand is a registered trademark of the InfiniBand Trade Association. PCI Express is a trademark of the PCI SIG. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Judith Vanderkay, Virtual, Inc., (781) 876-6208
jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com

PICMG KICKS OFF ADVANCEDTCA CLASSIFICATION WORKING GROUP TO STREAMLINE PRODUCT SELECTION PROCESS

Product Classification Working Group Aims to Make It Easier for Vendors and Buyers to Clearly Describe Product Characteristics;
Lays Foundation for New Levels of Interoperability

WAKEFIELD, MASS. -- March 8, 2004 -- PICMG® has kicked off a new working group whose goal is to improve the product selection experience for buyers of AdvancedTCA® building blocks and systems. The working group, chaired by PICMG Marketing VP Rob Davidson, agreed at a recent meeting in Long Beach, Calif. on a plan to define product classification tables that clearly explain how options in the underlying PICMG AdvancedTCA family of specifications have been implemented.

The Product Classification group will initially focus on four main categories : Regulatory, Fabrics, Management and Power, and Cooling. The group has set a goal to have the first classification table versions developed and approved by the PICMG membership by the middle of this year.

Having determined its target areas and preliminary goal, the working group is now soliciting wider participation and input for content. Companies who were represented at the meeting in Long Beach included Artesyn, GNP, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Interphase, and Sun Microsystems. Other companies, such as Comtel and Pentair/Schroff, have committed resources to the group. Companies interested in participating should contact Rob Davidson at davidson@picmg.org.

"This initiative is breaking new ground for PICMG," said Davidson. "PICMG activities have traditionally centered on technical specification development -- this group adds a marketing flavor and a user focus."

“Our AdvancedTCA Product Classification working group’s efforts will furnish developers with an organized assortment of building blocks to choose from when developing platforms based on today’s most powerful architecture for telecom applications," said Greg Kalush, President and CEO of Interphase Corporation. “The end result will be greater ease, flexibility, and options in the component selection process for our collective OEM customers designing custom AdvancedTCA systems.”

"The PICMG AdvancedTCA classification tables are essential to building a critical mass of interoperable ATCA products and a healthy eco system," said Jeff Durst, Director of Product Marketing at Artesyn.

“AdvancedTCA is a very sophisticated and flexible platform architecture. This effort will provide both customers and systems integrators with tools to help sort through the options available and enable them to specify complete, functional systems at a high level," said Joe Pavlat, PICMG President.

In addition to the base specification PICMG 3.0, other specifications in the AdvancedTCA series cover the mapping of various high speed serial fabrics to the AdvancedTCA platform: PICMG 3.1 for Ethernet/Fibre Channel, PICMG 3.2 for InfiniBand®, PICMG 3.3 for StarFabric and PICMG 3.4 for PCI Express™. Additional specifications are in development.

Anyone with an interest in AdvancedTCA technology may subscribe to PICMG's AdvancedTCA reflector (or listserv) at no charge – instructions on joining the list are on the Web at http://www.picmg.org/v2internal/newinitiative.htm#Reflector. Companies manufacturing products that comply with AdvancedTCA specifications, whether or not they are members of PICMG, are invited to list them in PICMG's free online product directory, at http://www.picmg.org/picmg_cfmfiles/generalv4/search1.cfm?bus=AdvancedTCA.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at http://www.picmg.org or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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PICMG, CompactPCI, and AdvancedTCA are registered trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. InfiniBand is a registered trademark of the InfiniBand Trade Association. PCI Express is a trademark of the PCI SIG.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Judith Vanderkay, Virtual, Inc., (781) 876-6208
jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com

PICMG’s Sixth AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshop Focuses on System Management

WAKEFIELD, Mass., Jan. 20, 2004 – Having proved the interoperability of the critical elements of the AdvancedTCA® specification in previous interoperability workshops, the sixth PICMG AdvancedTCA workshop tested interoperability of the enhanced features of the specification, with a particular focus on system management.

PICMG’s series of AdvancedTCA Interoperability Workshops is testing the multi-vendor interoperability of new products designed to the AdvancedTCA specifications. These workshops have enabled companies to test everything from mechanical tolerances and slot cooling to shelf management and electronic keying. At this most recent event, hosted by GNP in Monrovia, Calif., participants reconfirmed previous areas of interoperability with an expanding collection of new AdvancedTCA components, while continuing to add new areas of interoperability testing.

The new testing areas included exercising the dual redundant shelf managers that are defined by the AdvancedTCA base specification and are critical to implementing highly reliable systems. Also tested was the defined system manager interface that allows access to the shelf managers from various vendors from upper level management software.

“AdvancedTCA’s system management capabilities are a significant advancement on any previous efforts in this area and are bringing together the best practices from the telecom and enterprise computing environments,” said Rob Davidson, PICMG’s VP of Marketing. “The ability to manage chassis and blades from many different vendors, which this workshop validated, is a terrific demonstration of AdvancedTCA’s capabilities.”

In the AdvancedTCA workshop environment, specification details are tested and any inconsistencies are resolved through a process of hands-on cooperative system testing by architects, engineers and designers from many OEMs, in a protected and confidential environment. Participation is limited to those PICMG members with equipment to test. The workshops have been successful in identifying corrections and refinements to be incorporated in the future revisions of the specification.

PICMG member companies Bustronic Corporation; Carlo Gavazzi Mupac; Diversified Technology; Elma Electronics; Force Computers; GNP Computers; Intel Corporation; NMS Communications; Pentair/Schroff; PetaStream; Pigeon Point Systems; Rittal/Kaparel, and ZNYX Networks, Inc. participated in the sixth workshop. Additional interoperability workshops are planned.

“A major goal in developing PICMG’s AdvancedTCA family of specifications has been to ensure that independently implemented system building blocks can be integrated and operate successfully together. These workshops are playing an effective and vital role in achieving that goal,” said Joe Pavlat, PICMG's President. “PICMG 3.0 is the most comprehensive platform specification that PICMG has ever developed. Similarly, and appropriately so, the corresponding interoperability testing is far beyond what we have done in the past.”

Other specifications in the AdvancedTCA series cover the mapping of various high speed serial fabrics to the AdvancedTCA platform: PICMG 3.1 for Ethernet/Fibre Channel, PICMG 3.2 for InfiniBand® PICMG 3.3 for StarFabric and PICMG 3.4 for PCI Express™. Additional specifications are in development.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at http://www.picmg.org or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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News Releases 2004

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2004