THALES COMPUTERS INTRODUCES RUGGED PMC-SIO 8-PORT SERIAL I/O BOARD

Raleigh, NC, December 3, 2002 -- Thales Computers, a leader in providing PowerPC and Pentium-based VME computing solutions to OEMs and system integrators, introduces the PMC-SIO, an octal serial I/O PCI mezzanine card (PMC) with eight ports supporting a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous protocols.

The PMC-SIOs eight serial I/O ports have a well-balanced mixture of a quad Enhanced Serial Communication Controller (ESCC) and a quad Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) equipped with the most commonly used EIA-232 or EIA-422/485 interfaces.

The PMC-SIO is ideal for applications requiring extensive serial input/output for the management and monitoring of peripherals. The ruggedized version of the board is well-suited to handle the rigors of military and aerospace applications. Because the
PMC-SIO board is designed for use with current and next generation architecture, it allows for universal PCI signaling voltages.

Product Details
The features of the PMC-SIO 8-port serial I/O board include:
   · Two full-featured" 85230 ESCC ports
      - EIA-422/485 interface
      - Supports synchronous/isochronous/asynchronous protocols
       (TXD/RXD, RTS/CTS, DCD, RXC, SG, TXC, and TC [TXC-out])
      - Up to 3.6864 Mbps
      - Synchronous modems
      - Multi-drop full and half duplex with RTS flow control
   · Two multi-PHY" 85230 ESCC ports
      - EIA-422/485 interface
      - Synchronous/asynchronous protocols (TXD/RXD and SG)
   - Up to 3.6864 Mbps
   - Multi-drop full and half duplex with RTS flow control
   · Four asynchronous-only 16550-type ports

The new PMC-SIO board provides both front and rear I/O and is available in versions for convection-cooled (SA and RA class) or conduction-cooled (RC class) environments. The PMC to PCI interface on the board uses a 33 MHz, 32-bit PLX PCI9030, with 3.3V or 5V signaling and a configuration serial EEPROM. The new PMC-SIO is provided with a VxWorksÒ Board Support Package.

The PMC-SIO is available immediately; pricing for the new board starts at $595.

For more information on the PMC-SIO or any other products from Thales Computers,
please visit Thales Computers website at www.thalescomputers.com, or contact Thales Computers at 1-800-848-2330, fax 919-231-8001.

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READER SERVICE INQUIRIES: Please forward all reader service inquiries to lkirby@thalescomputers.com.

About Thales Computers: Thales Computers, a Thales Group company, is headquartered in Toulon, France, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Thales is a world leader and front-runner in professional electronics in three areas: Aerospace, Defense, and Information Technology & Services. The Group employs 65,000 people in nearly 50 countries worldwide, and generated revenues of over $16 billion in 2001.

Thales Computers is the leading developer of commercial and ruggedized VMEbus hardware and software solutions based on PowerPC and Pentium microprocessors. The company's products are optimized for a wide variety of applications in military, aerospace, communications and industrial markets and are in active use by customers worldwide, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, Toshiba, EADS, British Aerospace, Ericsson, BAE Systems, Alcatel and the Thales Group.