New EPIC Express Specification Brings PCI Express to Popular EPIC Industry Standard

New EPIC Express™ Specification Brings PCI Express to Popular EPIC Industry Standard

Innovative stacking architecture features high bandwidth I/O expansion while retaining support for legacy interfaces

Boston, MA – September 06, 2005. —Five leading embedded single board computer (SBC) manufacturers announced today the publication of the EPIC Express™ Specification, which adds high-bandwidth PCI Express™ I/O expansion to EPIC form factor SBCs without sacrificing support for legacy PC I/O. The specification defines the EPIC SBC interface as well as the mechanical layout, Connectors and pin definitions for EPIC Express I/O Expansion cards. The PCI Express interface itself consists of a high performance connector and design rules to support up to four EPIC Express I/O expansion cards with up to 6 total PCI Express devices in a unique stacking configuration. The Specification accomplishes this without terminating support for legacy PC devices and buses that are used pervasively in embedded applications.

"The industry buzz about PCI Express, coupled with the removal of legacy I/O from the desktop PC platform, has created a dilemma for hundreds of embedded system manufacturers and integrators who use serial ports, parallel ports, floppy drives, EIDE storage devices, and custom I/O," said Eric Gulliksen, market analyst at Venture Development Corporation (VDC). "EPIC Express is the only PCI Express-compatible standard to date that supports all of these legacy devices while paving the way to the high-speed serial I/O of the future. EPIC Express should also provide an example for others to consider in the development of similar standards."

"EPIC includes onboard outside-world or pin-header I/O connectors, which simplifies cabling and saves cost," said Rick Lehrbaum, executive editor of the LinuxDevices.com and WindowsForDevices.com web sites. "In that sense, EPIC differs from 'computer-on-module' approaches that don't have onboard I/O connectors and require custom carrier boards for use. EPIC Express follows in the footsteps of EPIC, while cleverly letting PCI Express and legacy ISA-bus I/O modules coexist within a stack, and, most importantly to my readers, it preserves the software and driver compatibility of the legacy devices."

A Bridge to the Future

The original EPIC (Embedded Platform for Industrial Computing™) Specification was released in early 2004. At the time of its release, the developers committed to an update that would add high bandwidth serial I/O bus support. The EPIC Express Specification announced today is the realization of that commitment. The original EPIC Specification is now administered by the PC/104 Embedded Consortium and the developers of EPIC Express intend to submit the new specification to the Consortium by the end of 2005. EPIC compatible SBCs are supplied by over a dozen manufacturers today and the form factor is expected to dominate the small form factor SBC market by the end of the decade.

The creators of EPIC Express have formed this unique architecture so that system OEMs can gradually upgrade systems toward the fast serial interfaces of the future, leveraging proven off-the-shelf modules to mitigate risks. Available at www.epic-express.org, the specification is published as an open standard by VersaLogic Corp., Micro/sys Inc., Octagon Systems, WinSystems, Inc., and Ampro Computers, Inc., all pioneers and innovators in standards-based embedded computing. The five companies expect the specification and its design rules will create an ecosystem of off-the-shelf I/O expansion modules. The clean migration from a hardware and software standpoint is a key benefit of the EPIC Express specification, thereby providing a “bridge to the future”.

About Octagon Systems

Octagon Systems, the largest manufacturer of embedded PC computers for the –40 to 85C environment, has produced products for rugged applications since 1981. Octagon’s quality management system has been ISO certified since 1993 and is currently certified to the ISO 9001:2000 standard. Octagon manufactures its own products in the U.S., and has in-house certification and verification laboratories. Located in Westminster, CO, Octagon provides high reliability, PC-based solutions for a wide variety of applications including transportation, medical, industrial control and COTS. Please visit www.octagonsystems.com

About VersaLogic, Corp.

A leading supplier of industrial computers since 1976, VersaLogic focuses on high-quality board-level products for embedded OEM applications. Product lines include PC/104, PC/104-Plus, EBX, and STD 32 Bus. Their 5-year product availability guarantee and outstanding warranties demonstrate a commitment to service. An industry-wide survey recently rated the company a "Platinum" level embedded board vendor (2002 and 2003 VDC studies). For more information, visit the web site at www.versalogic.com

About WinSystems, Inc.

Founded in 1981, WinSystems is a leading supplier of embedded computers. Their wide selection of PC/104, EBX and STD Bus SBCs and I/O modules include features such as extended temperature operation and quick product delivery. Combined with knowledgeable technical support and long-term product availability, makes WinSystems your vendor of choice for reliable x86-based embedded PCs. Please visit www.winsystems.com

About Micro/sys Inc.

Since 1976, Micro/sys Inc. has been a leading designer and manufacturer of embedded single-board computers, microcontrollers, and stackable I/O modules for PC/104, PC/104-Plus, EPIC, EBX, and STD Bus. Micro/sys’ 2005 industry recognition for “Innovative Embedded Product” exemplifies our commitment to high quality embedded I/O on small form factor boards, available in extended temperature and low power. Select Micro/sys products and be assured of quality technical support and long-term product availability. Please visit www.embeddedsys.com

About Ampro Computers, Inc.

Ampro Computers, Inc. is the leading global provider of modular embedded computing solutions for OEM applications. Ampro pioneered the embedded PC industry by creating the popular PC/104 and EBX standards. To learn more about Ampro’s broad product offering, including single board computers, rugged ETX modules, new ReadySystem Industrial PCs and Mini-ITX form factor MightyBoard SBCs, please visit www.ampro.com

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EPIC Express and the EPIC Express logo are trademarks of Ampro Computers, Inc., Micro/sys, Inc., Octagon Systems, VersaLogic, Corp. and WinSystems, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.